Making the Entrance Door Reliable

We try to make our lives safe. We are interested in self-defense, we install alarm systems, and we buy pepper spray canisters for our bags. But we often forget to protect the one thing we leave vulnerable... the front door. After all, it is the door that should prevent intruders from getting into our apartments. You must not neglect protecting the entrance door. If possible, install an additional lock besides the main one. Always use the door chain — there’s a reason it was installed on your door. Open the door slowly; don’t fling it wide open. Always keep the chain latched — it can buy you a few seconds if a robber bursts into the house.

Here are a few more tips to make your door stronger and more reliable, and to reduce the likelihood of a break-in for burglars.

— The apartment door should be made of sturdy material with a thickness of at least 7 cm. If possible, cover the door with a metal sheet. It can be concealed with paint, slats, or synthetic cladding so the surface does not attract attention. The optimal option is a double door: you can install a wooden inner door and a metal outer door.

— A strong door is not enough if the door frame is done poorly. You could face hand-to-hand combat with a burglar if the frame is made of cheap material and not reinforced. It is better to strengthen it with metal pins that are concreted into the walls, floor, and ceiling.

— There is a mandatory requirement for all doors: they should open outwards. They are harder to kick in that way. If you decide to add a surface-mounted lock as well, it will be very difficult to break. All these measures will make your apartment more secure.

— Often intruders insert a crowbar or an axe into the gap between the door leaf and the door frame. This helps them break in faster. If you reinforce the door leaf with steel angle brackets, no tool will be able to be inserted into the gap.

— Try to have at least two locks of different types on the door. For example, have one lever lock and one cylinder lock. It is important that the locks are placed 30–40 cm apart.

— Locks should have a high level of security. For example, you can install a model with a digital keypad. You can also ask a trusted locksmith to make the locks even more complex — for example, fit a stop or reinforcing pin into the cylinder mechanism.