5 weak points we routinely find on residential doors

Five weak points show up on most of the residential doors we look at in Georgetown. Four of the five cost under $600 to fix.

1. Three-quarter-inch strike plate screws

The strike plate on a builder-grade door is held by two short screws that bite only the jamb, a piece of pine less than an inch thick. A kick concentrates hundreds of pounds at that spot, and the jamb splits along the grain. The fix is 3-inch screws that reach the wall stud, and a steel jamb shield that spreads the load along the frame instead of at one point.

2. Hinges screwed only to the jamb

Everyone reinforces the lock side and forgets the hinge side. Hinges with short screws tear out under the same kick. Two 3-inch screws per hinge into the stud, and hinge shields on doors that matter.

3. A flat strike plate under the deadbolt

A deadbolt that throws into a flat plate is a deadbolt that throws into pine. A box strike, a steel pocket screwed into the stud, gives the bolt something to hold.

4. Glass within arm’s reach of the thumbturn

Sidelights and decorative inserts are windows. If the glass is within reach of the lock, a broken pane opens the door. Laminated glass, security film, or a security screen over the sidelight, or a double-cylinder deadbolt with the fire-safety caveat that comes with it.

5. The garage-to-house door

It is a fire-rated door with a knob lock and no deadbolt in most homes, behind a garage door that is left open half the day. Treat it as an exterior door: deadbolt, long screws, locked at night and when away.

The Stronghold 73-Point Home Security Checklist covers all five, and a free assessment scores them for you. Schedule yours.