IF you have any glass in the door, worrying about kick in is minimal as the glass can be broken and the door unlocked. For security, a solid door without glass would be recommended. Long throw dead bolts. Schlage locksets as they cannot be "bumped".

 

Thank you Larry...appreciate the feedback.

 

I added a steel plate to reinforce the pocket for the deadbolt. It extends a couple inches above and below the pocket and I added I think a total of 6 screws through the plate that anchor it back into the framing. I'll try to find a picture of it later to post.

That won't help someone breaking the glass and turning the handle in your case. To prevent that, you'd need a double-keyed dead bolt (one that requires a key on the inside as well as the outside. They're kind of a hassle to lock, of course, but it's an option

 

thanks h-rod...I also bought 4 of these too and going to use 3.5" stainless steel screws...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZYQVLHK?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

There's also options on more sophisticated door locks that require you being inside to unlock, vs guessing with a twisted arm through possible double pain broken glass. we have an alarm and if door is jarred or glass broken, it goes off and 1 of 3 sirens are outside by door in question...

 

If the neighborhood is experiencing problems, consider hosting a safety meeting for your neighbors, and call the police. They usually have a community outreach program, they will come to your house and give a presentation.

 

Ed, we've already had a meeting with HPD's burglary and robbery heads, special crime task force and have forwarded 12 case #'s by date, time, detailed narrative and video surveillance of where they're entering the community, face screen shots, etc. The detective assigned to our cases with the crime unit analyst is meeting with us tonight in our mo. HOA Meeting...hopefully they will be wearing an orange jumpsuit real soon

 

I don't like keyed locks for the inside. Creates a jail in the event of an emergency that will hinder egress. I'd recommend Ring or similar door announcers or cameras for the porch and surrounding area.

 

I don't like keyed locks for the inside. Creates a jail in the event of an emergency that will hinder egress.

Yeah, emergency egress is the another problem with keyed deadbolts. Sounds like the OP has an alarm that will take care of that part.

Perhaps, as an alternative, one of the door brace bars, could be an option.

 

Install a crossbar. Here's the brackets for $10 from Amazon. Get an oak or steel bar and you're all set.

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domo, if this was my ranch barn door, done. But this is inside one of our main living rooms and kitchen to garage doors...

 

Get a BIG DOG.

Or a recording of a Barking dog, that is activated by the security system.

Burglars do not like either.

ED

 

Get a BIG DOG.

Or a recording of a Barking dog, that is activated by the security system.

Burglars do not like either.

ED

Have 2 dogs Ones 80lbs and barks at everything / the other one follows his lead They do their jobs for sure...

 

Iron grate door in front of the entry door.

 

I have a client who added a second deadbolt about 12"from the bottom of the door.

 

The best was The Fox Police Lock.

No longer available, there were thousands upon thousands of these on New York City apartments. Ugly as sin, but effective as he double-hockeysticks.

Momma won't like it, but this would probably run a close second.

 

I had one customer where a guy broke into her closed-in porch, but then he hit a sliding door (that was originally an external door). There were hundreds and hundreds of scuff marks on the class from him trying to break it. Eventually, he did get into the house, but he had to break the whole door frame. The glass never did break. Glass in doors is extremely tough.

There are all different kinds of hardware options. You could get a sturdier lock (the ones at big box stores tend to not be the highest quality). You could get a stronger door. You could go crazy and spend thousands. Remember that a chain is only as strong as the weakest link.

In reality, I have only seen a few things happen:
1. An old, cheap door has a thin panel that gets kicked in.
2. The door is old and flimsy and breaks around the lock.
3. The strike plate is installed too close to the edge with short screws and a chunk of the frame rips out.
4. Hinge pins get popped out.

If you have relatively modern, solid doors and you have a deadbolt installed and the strike plate has long screws into serious wood and the hinges aren't exposed, I think you are pretty solid.

 

Have a look at these: Security Door Stoppers | Door Blocker Security | Nightlock

I've not personally used them but am considering getting some. They are more discrete than some other options.

 

We live far, far remote and there are no 'neighbors' within hearing distance. The bottom line is that even if we reinforced the doors so they would resist being kicked in what's to stop the bad guy from coming in through a window? Where does it end? I'll tell you where: two 90# Catahoula dogs who know that they haven't been properly introduced to the visitor. Needless to say, we don't even bother to lock any doors or windows. So I agree with the previous posts about a dog security system. Besides security they are working dogs what help with livestock and help insure a predator moves along to easier pickins. There are very few people who know that they can open the gate and walk through it.

In addition we use a system of four wireless proximity sensors that give an audible voice alert 'Alert Zone X" with X being 1, 2, 3, or 4. 4 is the furthest at a little less than 1/2 mile. The dogs have the voice figured out and won't even lift their heads of a 3 or 4 alert. A 2 alert gets them up and looking out the door window. Alert 1 tells them someone is at the entry gate where the person can both hear the dogs barking from inside the house and see the warning sign about guard dogs and not to enter unless they are met by a human. Who needs a doorbell?

Obviously this system works really well in rural areas. Probably not so much in a city neighborhood.

 

Another option is to install auto on flood lights by the door entrance and to install a doorbell camera. It will work for most people although if a swat team decides to invade your house this is not going to help.