We want to have an old door replaced with something more modern and secure. We called a contractor that a good friend works for during his off season. He came by and we told him we wanted a new door for security and something that is better insulated than the single sheet of glass in the top of the old door. He measures everything and as he's writing everything down I say "oh, and we want a security kit installed".

"A what?" he replies.

"A door security kit. Am I using the wrong term?"

"I have no idea what that is," he said.

"You know, longer screws and metal plates so the door can't simply be kicked in," I explained.

"I never heard of that."

I thought this was a pretty common thing. Do you guys know what I'm talking about? I put one on my man door in my garage about 9 years ago so I know they exist.

Needless to say, I didn't hire the guy.

I know what you are saying, but I do that myself.

3 1/2” deck screws all the way into the framing on every hinges.
Also replace the strike place screws with long screws too.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
I know what you are saying, but I do that myself.

Yeah, I can do it myself but I figured he'd be able to just have it handled. Guess not. He pretty much priced himself out of the job anyway but this sealed the no-deal.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
3 1/2” deck screws all the way into the framing on every hinges.
Also replace the strike place screws with long screws too.

Yeah, I overdid the garage. Crazy long screws all around.

None of those measures are going to prevent a fairly easy kicking in of a man door.

I would of asked him if there is anything he does or could do that would help make the door less susceptible to being breached. See what he says.

In answer to your question, no.

Yes, I've heard of that. If this contractor has not you can either tell him what you want done, or find another installer.

Will your new door be some kind of reinforced fiberglass molded door?

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
None of those measures are going to prevent a fairly easy kicking in of a man door.

I'll give you an hour to kick in the man door in my garage.

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
None of those measures are going to prevent a fairly easy kicking in of a man door.

I'll give you an hour to kick in the man door in my garage.

I second that.

Having kicked in more than a few, and rammed more than that, I’m confident that my 3” screws and security plate will buy some significant time.

Having kicked in doors for a living, I can assure you 3-3 1/2 screws in each hinge and the strike plate will give you a workout.

I once saw a brass thing a rich old lady had at her house, that dropped into a hole in the floor and was about 1/4 inch from the bottom of the door. It was about ten inches wide and came up about three inches. The home was built in the 1890s or so and she grew up in the house. There is no way anyone could have kicked in that door.

You know, i never knew i wanted a job kicking in doors until now.

You are referring to a door jamb security kit. And they are worth every penny PRESUMING there is no glass in and around the door that one’s arm could reach the lock through after breaking. I installed one at my mother’s. I was shocked at how stout these things make even a not so great door.
Armor Concepts Home Security Door Armor Mini Single Door Security Reinforcement Kit for Jamb, Frame, Strike Plate - DIY Door Lock Security – White https://a.co/d/97a1T84

As for kicking in doors, I have done my fair share and only lost to one. Was chasing a dude and he cut the corner of the house, so as always I hang back a little bit and clear that corner to make sure he did not stop on the other side of the corner to get me, and I heard the front door slam, and saw the glass windows shake. So I run up on the porch and after about 10 kicks I realized something wasn’t right as pretty much the whole house was moving but this door would not budge.
I took a step back and saw door hinges. Laughed for a second because I had never come across an exterior main door that opened out.
So I just pulled out the baton and broke out the front picture window and went in that way.

I installed an outswing on the pole barn we built last year for security reasons. Wouldn’t work well for me on a dwelling though.

It just means your contractor doesn't hang out on forums like this.

I don't think they're "common" at all.

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
We want to have an old door replaced with something more modern and secure. We called a contractor that a good friend works for during his off season. He came by and we told him we wanted a new door for security and something that is better insulated than the single sheet of glass in the top of the old door. He measures everything and as he's writing everything down I say "oh, and we want a security kit installed".

"A what?" he replies.

"A door security kit. Am I using the wrong term?"

"I have no idea what that is," he said.

"You know, longer screws and metal plates so the door can't simply be kicked in," I explained.

"I never heard of that."

I thought this was a pretty common thing. Do you guys know what I'm talking about? I put one on my man door in my garage about 9 years ago so I know they exist.

Needless to say, I didn't hire the guy.

If he was good otherwise it would not have kept me from using him. Everyone can't know everything. Opportunity to educate him and help his other clients down the line.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
Having kicked in doors for a living, I can assure you 3-3 1/2 screws in each hinge and the strike plate will give you a workout.

I once saw a brass thing a rich old lady had at her house, that dropped into a hole in the floor and was about 1/4 inch from the bottom of the door. It was about ten inches wide and came up about three inches. The home was built in the 1890s or so and she grew up in the house. There is no way anyone could have kicked in that door.

I have this on my double doors entering my home. I can promise you it will NEVER be breached! I
installed it several years ago. The door is basically incapable of being kicked it. Combine this will longer screws that go into the actual framing and a strike plate around the locking bolt and you're all set.

https://www.amazon.com/Door-Cl...CA-3pk/dp/B001THTAT0


_________________________________________________

quote:

Originally posted by Powers77:

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
We want to have an old door replaced with something more modern and secure. We called a contractor that a good friend works for during his off season. He came by and we told him we wanted a new door for security and something that is better insulated than the single sheet of glass in the top of the old door. He measures everything and as he's writing everything down I say "oh, and we want a security kit installed".

"A what?" he replies.

"A door security kit. Am I using the wrong term?"

"I have no idea what that is," he said.

"You know, longer screws and metal plates so the door can't simply be kicked in," I explained.

"I never heard of that."

I thought this was a pretty common thing. Do you guys know what I'm talking about? I put one on my man door in my garage about 9 years ago so I know they exist.

Needless to say, I didn't hire the guy.

If he was good otherwise it would not have kept me from using him. Everyone can't know everything. Opportunity to educate him and help his other clients down the line.

Well, I did explain it to him. It’s in the original post that you quoted. Then when he called with the estimate I asked him again about it. He still had no idea what I was talking about. I just think he didn’t want the job.

As usual, I’ll do it myself.

We had a steel door and security kit installed as a replacement for our bedroom door. Don't know how long it would stand up to attack, but by the time it was kicked open the perpetrator would come to regret it.