Best Security Front Doors for Residential?
Posted by Cold_Wolverine6092@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 47 comments
Does anyone have any recommendations for high-quality residential security doors for the front of a home? It has to look nice (like a normal front door), but I want it to also be a genuine security door that will be very hard for the average person to compromise. There are so many brands on the market, but I don't know which ones are actually good.
Mala_Suerte1@reddit
A solid core door w/ steel on the outside will work well. The big thing you have to do is get rid of the short screws that come with the door and replace them w/ 3" screws. I makes a huge difference. Our walk out basement has steel security doors on the French Doors. It basically looks like a screen door, but it's made out of heavier guage metal w/ 1/2" square bars running from top to bottom, every 6". It has a deadbolt on it, so when it's locked it's secure.
CrayComputerTech_85@reddit
I did the beefed up latch and hinge thing with a security bar that mounts to the floor. Makes it somewhat kick and ram-proof, supposedly. Only problem is I can't use the security bar going into the floor when I'm away, just at home.
Mala_Suerte1@reddit
My wife grew up in Baton Rouge and her cousins, also in Baton Rouge, lived in a pretty sketchy neighborhood. They used the same security bar that you are referring to and they state that it prevented people from entering a couple of times. But yeah, when you're not home it doesn't help much.
CrayComputerTech_85@reddit
Yeah but the bear spray grenade helps. Baton Rouge mon dieu c'est ne pas bontemps..could be anywhere now.
No-Experience-8625@reddit
Slightly off topic, but regarding windows… I live in Florida, “hurricane central” as one friend calls it. We installed impact windows at the same time we did the impact doors. I have a buddy on the local EMS/fire department about the windows and he said they are a SOB. They have to take a concrete saw to get through them and it still takes some time and makes a hell of a mess. Pricy, but in part depends on how many windows you would need to do that for.
DeFiClark@reddit
Start with solid core door, deadbolts at corners, double lock Medco so you have to have a key to exit, longer hinge screws, police bar lock. That will make the door at least as strong as the walls around it.
Steel security doors in a shingle/sheetrock wall are a waste of money.
No_Character_5315@reddit
Most modern homes are extremely fragile like give a guy a sledgehammer and less than 5 minutes probably getting through a wall in most stick houses. I wouldn't spend a ton of money on a door.
HomersDonut1440@reddit
The majority of folks aren’t taking a sledgehammer to a wall though. Most breaks ins are a door kick or a window smash at most.
No_Character_5315@reddit
Sorry my meaning is I wouldn't spend thousands on a high security door if you got a nice big window and few feet away.
HomersDonut1440@reddit
Ah. Agreed; fortify all the weak points, or none of it really matters.
Cold_Wolverine6092@reddit (OP)
Our windows are all coated with 3M film to make them stop a bullet. Our front door is or weak point.
JRHLowdown3@reddit
We did the film thing also. The rating is supposedly only to a .22 so not really a "stop a bullet" type of thing. More of a doesn't disintegrate when smashed type of thing.
During Helene we had a ton of small pieces of tree flying at high speed against our windows- some we still have not been able to get off a year later... We didn't lose any windows and it occurred to me later than a few months before we had applied that film. Not sure if it really helped for that or not.
On the door itself- an actual ballistic door is going to be expensive. I looked into this once and (years ago) a door with a decent ballistic rating that LOOKED like a standard house door was around $3500. Not too bad in the scheme of things, but most houses would need several.
This sort of thing is best done during construction- using block and pouring solid with grout mix putting rebar in each cell, etc. We did this and I shot our house at 15 yards with a .308 to test this. Got about 2 1/2 inches of penetration with almost 6 inches still left after that.
ryanmercer@reddit
Or 5 seconds and the window.
mntgoat@reddit
We got a triple latch door on our previous house thinking this sounds safer and then after moving in we realized they could just easily break the side lights and then open the door.
No_Character_5315@reddit
Well a visual detternet is still worth something.
mntgoat@reddit
Yeah, I was just trying to make the point that we often overlook things. Like for example I make sure our front door and patio door are locked every night. Sometimes I would lock the one going to the garage and sometimes I would forget. Then one day I realized the man door on the garage had been unlucked for who knows how long. So anyone could have just gotten in.
No_Character_5315@reddit
Same had solid wood doors on my old place locked myself out once took all of 5 minutes with a ladder stored outside to break myself in lol
TheSensiblePrepper@reddit
A legitimate "Security Door" is very expensive. Many thousands of dollars and require to be installed with the frame. So you don't just pop the hinges and replace the door. Actual installation is involved and that will cost you almost as much as the door. I know because I have both my front and back doors replaced with High-End Security Doors last year.
Does the door you have or the frame around it have glass? If it does, that would also need to be addressed. Nothing stopping someone from cracking the glass and unlocking the door.
I highly recommend the Doorricade. If you want to see a couple of guys actually try to bash in a door with this thing installed, you can see that here. This is something anyone can install on any door and it buys you time at a reasonable price.
Also keep in mind that if they can't enter through a door, they will find other options.
Cold_Wolverine6092@reddit (OP)
Thank you. From what I’m seeing in my research, a true security door is going to cost about $20k with installation. We are ready to do that. I have dooricade on our garage door that faces the outside. I’m just wondering if anyone has any experience with any particular brands of security doors.
OtherwiseAlbatross14@reddit
No one has experience spending $20k on a door because everyone realizes that's like putting a 20ft tall gate on a 4 foot fence.
Helassaid@reddit
If somebody is intent on getting in, they’re getting in. The question is, how much do you want to spend to put in their way? And what, reasonably, are you protecting that can’t just be moved away from the intruders while they’re bogged down trying to gain entry?
Cold_Wolverine6092@reddit (OP)
I completely understand. I want to make my house the hardest to enter in the neighborhood, but do it without attracting attention. And if they do try to come in, I want to be able to slow them down significantly, to buy me time to respond accordingly.
8111913@reddit
I don't like Canadian Prepper stuff, but this one is exception.
GrumpyOldGuy2000@reddit
ProVia. impact door. I have a few and they are fantastic. solid build, look great, looks like a regular door but like a really Nice door. I actually get comments about “nice door “when people come over for the first time. get the impact rated, they have a steel plate in the door jamb which would be extremely difficult for anyone to kick in a reasonable amount of time; honestly, I do t see anyone getting in period. Again, get the impact rated one. Expensive, but well worth it.
Cold_Wolverine6092@reddit (OP)
Thank you! This type of recommendation for a specific brand is exactly what I was hoping to find.
SonsOfValhallaGaming@reddit
It's not the door to worry about. Someone without deep knowledge of home intrusion will choose windows, garage doors, back doors etc. Someone with experience in breaching properties, especially military or police? Ive seen someone sledgehammer through a wall like he was Sledge from Rainbow Six Siege in less than 30 seconds. If you're not home, or unable to defend yourself, there's no stopping it. Look into protecting the sides of your home and your windows as well as your door, and remember the law of entry denial, everything in the way is in the way and needs to be bypassed.
However, do be warned of certain ''security windows'' . I've seen some that can be unlatched from outside in seconds and now the window is vulnerable again. Get one that latches from inside or gets bolted on and can be manually released from inside in case of emergency, but cannot be opened from outside even with tools
Cold_Wolverine6092@reddit (OP)
Thank you. All of our other windows and doors are secure. The front door of our house is the original and it’s the only weak point. I’m trying to see if anyone has experience with specific brands of security doors.
Helassaid@reddit
If your house isn’t poured, reinforced concrete at least 5 feet up, without any ground level windows, “security doors” are security theater.
I can get into basically anywhere with a flathead axe and a halligan bar.
javacat@reddit
Instead of replacing the door, you might want to consider replacing the screws in the hinges with 3" screws, and then add a Nightlock plate at the bottom of your door. They also have these for sliding glass windows too. Then buy shatter resistant/proof film for your windows and that should make a difference.
There are so many windows on the ground floor where I live, I'm SOL. I plan on putting up the film on my parents windows when I can afford to...given they are elderly I see this as something to help deter potential intruders.
Cold_Wolverine6092@reddit (OP)
Thanks. I’ve already done all of those things. We are now ready to replace the entire door. It’s the original that came with the home, and it’s the only weak point in our house.
dblock36@reddit
A lot of Euro Companies have high end security doors with multiple bolt locations but usually pretty expensive and a very involved installation.
NorthernPrepz@reddit
I was going to recommend this, but as others have said it really depends on the context. In a suburb house you have windows. Unless you are going to euro/hurricane roll those shutters is kind of a moot point. For my part i installed long screws on everything and one of those security latch devices. I’m operating under the assumption that if someone truly wants in they will get in. I just need to buy myself a little bit of time.
dblock36@reddit
I don’t disagree, OP asked though so I wanted to offer, we also don’t know if he lives in a stick built or stone house.
MagicToolbox@reddit
Do you have windows at ground level on your house? Do you have brick construction?
Everyone wants an intruder proof, bulletproof door. Nobody thinks about the fact that the garden gnome in the yard will break right through window glass. I replaced my Masonite siding with HardieBoard a few years ago. Separating the inside of the house from the intruders on the outside was:
Yes, there are 2x4 studs holding that all together - but a few kicks with a sturdy boot will take all of the above 'barriers' out pretty quickly.
Popcornio@reddit
Thank you for your sharing! this really helps me to fix my problems! I do appreciate tho!
Rogerdodger1946@reddit
Our front door is oak. The lock strike plates have 3 inch screws into the frame.
Lopsided-Total-5560@reddit
Get a metal exterior door. Reinforce the area where the deadbolt goes into the door frame by tying it into the actual studs with really long screws. Do this on the hinge side too. Drill at least 2 holes in the floor about 18” apart where you can drop round cold rolled steel pieces that extend at least 4 or 5 inches above the floor and are almost touching the door. Trust me, nobody’s kicking in that door. I modified my house this way after serving a search warrant on a house so modified. It took us damn near forever to get into that house and it wasn’t through the doors.
Heamora@reddit
For a true security door, prioritize solid steel or fiberglass construction, a deadbolt with a minimum 1-inch throw, and reinforced strike plates. These features provide the core defense for a residential entrance.
dosman33@reddit
I'm a fan of Door Armor, Menards seems to carry it now at a discount over buying it online. But an ordinary steel lined door is more than adequate if its supported by Door Armor.
But everything really should be in balance: if you install a $400 pick-resistant deadbolt it will outclass the door and frame. If you reinforce the door and frame with Door Armor it will outclass your windows. Install security film and anchoring on your windows and install door armor and now it's in balance against that $400 deadbolt.
If you do install a heavy duty door though, make sure you compliment it with a multi-point lock system. The lock for this will be a mortice assembly so not an ordinary doorknob or deadbolt. If the door has a side-lite window dont just use security film, replace or reinforce the window with polycarbonate sheet. It's 10x stronger than plexiglass and if its anchored correctly will stop an intruder from breaking the window and reaching in to unlock the door from the inside.
MagHagz@reddit
Really locks only keep out honest people.
Far-Seat-2263@reddit
ProVia entry doors include a standard 20ga steel security plate in the door frame. They’re a very popular replacement entry door.
Cute-Consequence-184@reddit
A dog barking alarm.
They didn't have to see it, just hear it
Ra_a_@reddit
We have windows
Pando5280@reddit
Used this in both a high crime neighbi4hood and at a mountain place where I didn't live for weeks at a time. I call it my stab proof door - its basically a somewhat thick metal with small holes for ventilation. You cant kick it in either. Never had bugs fly in and felt secure against everything up to gun shots. Kind of a pain to install due to the special security screws but its gone on well both times. Key is to not overtighten it. I think it comes in 2-3 colors but always went white which always got compliments as it doesnt vibe prison doo4 and matched my windows. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Gatehouse-Sunburst-White-Steel-Surface-Mount-Single-Security-Door-Common-36-in-x-81-in-Actual-39-in-x-81-75-in/50374780
Dapper-Hamster69@reddit
imo, steel, not wood. And dont use the short screws in the deadbolt/handle box. I found a video years ago about how easy even a good door was able to be kicked in. Longer and better screws that go in and hit deep into the wood made a huge difference. You do have to pre drill and then run them in.
Cold_Wolverine6092@reddit (OP)
Appreciate you
garyadams_cnla@reddit
I like Larson security doors. I’ve had two and both have held up well.