If you’re looking for a way to add an extra layer of security to your home, opting to add a steel security door may be the perfect solution. These doors are added to your existing door frame, on the exterior of your house and act similarly to a storm door or a screen door.
If you live somewhere which has a hotter climate all year round, a security door can be pretty helpful. It allows you to keep your front door open, to ventilate your home, without worrying about any intruders and strangers from entering your home.
Security doors are typically made from steel, and feature an open steel mesh which allows for ventilation that is significantly stronger than regular aluminium and fiberglass screen doors.
The welded steel plates allow you to install a deadbolt lock which makes it practically impossible to kick, pry, lock-pick or force your way through the door. Most security designs are relatively attractive, and they usually come painted in a glossy white or black finish.
Tools And Materials
Security door including the hardware (handles, locks, hinges) that come with it
Impact driver with head bits
12 spade bit
Measuring tape
Pencil
Cordless drill
Chisel
30mm timber screws
Plastic wedges
Safety goggles
Step 1: Measure The Size Of Your Door
You need to first measure the height and width of your doorway frame before you choose your door. Most doors are standard size and are usually around 3 feet wide, and six foot 8 inches high. You also need to determine whether or not your door is right or left opening, by looking at which side the hinges are on.
If you need to, you can get your door specially made using your specific measurements.
Step 2: Attach The Handles And Lock
Once you’ve ordered your door and you’ve checked it’s the right side, the next step is to attach the handles and lock.
Follow the instructions that come with your door. Place the locking lever and inside handle into the interior backing plate (the part of the security door that will be pressed against your house). Fit the handle assembly and backing plate on the lock body. Do the same with the exterior backing plate, and tighten in place with screws.
Step 3: Measure And Mark The Hinges
For this next step you might need help from someone else. First, place the door in the doorway, and use wedges to keep it in place. Make sure you leave a 3mm gap at the top of the screen door as this will stop it from catching on the door frame when it’s being opened and closed.
Then, measure and mark where the hinges should go on the doorframe with a pencil, making sure the hinges are fully open before marking.
Step 4: Install The Hinges
If your house is older, you may need to make the doorframe square. Do this by using a hammer and chisel to take out parts of the door frame – this will make the hinges sit flush and tight.
Pre-drill holes for the hinges using a 2mm bit. Then, starting with the top hinge, screw 30mm with the screws. Repeat for the bottom and middle hinges – make sure you do them in order of top, bottom, middle.
Step 5: Mark For The Striker
Where you close the door by the lock is where you need the striker to go. To mark where it needs to be, close the door and mark where the center of the striker hits the door frame.
Step 6: Drill A Hole For The Striker
Grab a spade bit to drill a hole for the striker and latch, making sure the hole is larger than the striker. To make sure the striker fits, close the door.
Step 7: Attach The Striker
Using the 2mm bit, pre-drill pilot holes for the screws. Now, fit the striker plate in place using the screws. Check that both the lock and handles work correctly.
For those of you who are looking to improve your home security, a security door is a great investment. They work to secure your home in a number of ways, and come with strong and sturdy frames made from steel or iron that are more protective than regular wooden and plastic frames. Not only are they more secure, they also last a lot longer.
For maximum security, your security door should have either a deadbolt or a heavy duty key lock, deadbolts are more effective as they’re harder to get through.
Protecting Your Home Against Intruders
Security doors give off the impression that your home is secured well, and will often deter any potential intruders as they are far less likely to gain entrance into your house.
They also psychologically challenge intruders as they feel that your home is too dangerous to break into, even if they manage to get past the security door.
If you have any windows next to your security door, it may be best to replace them with non-shatter glass, so that any potential intruders can’t break through them to get inside your home.
Adding Value To Your Home
As well as just protecting the security of your home, security doors are also very effective in adding value to your home. Having one installed can save your money on your home insurance policy, and may even add value to your home if you ever decide to sell.
If you’re worried that having a security door may be a bit of an eyesore, you can get them in a variety of styles, designs and colors, so you can match your security door with the rest of your home’s exterior aesthetic.
Durability
Security doors are far more durable and robust compared to regular doors, which is due to the fact that they’re usually made from steel.
A regular wooden or plastic door will begin to show wear and tear, and isn’t very effective if it’s constantly battling the elements. A security door will last you a long time, and needs very minimal care and maintenance.
