I'm looking to get our front door replaced.

Any suggestions for make and type of door?  Improvements to make it kick resistant?

I'm in the Houston area so humidity would be a concern for door materials.

Thanks.

(I'm clueless when it comes to this stuff)

Generally, the best way to resist your door to mechanical entry is to improve the frame. You can add all the deadbolts you want, and upgrade to a solid core or metal entry door but it is going to be the frame that gives way. Alternatively, there are kick plates or bars that can be set in the floor and are removable. The bad part, is since they secure from the inside- you can't use them when you aren't there. That  upgrade plus a solid core or metal door will frustrate a guy looking to smash and grab. Unless he's smart enough to asses it properly.

Adding visible security cameras and motion lights is a good deterrent as well.

If you want a strong front entry, go out swing.  There are several manufacturers building doors that meet high pressure standards for hurricanes.  Fiberglass will last forever, and never rot.  Out swing is also much more weather proof than any in swing door.  Heavy duty frame, hinges and locksets.  Multiple locking points is best.  Be sure to use screws long enough to securely bite into the structural wall with as little shimming as possible.  Screw into structure at 6 " intervals and through all hinges and strike plates.

I live in Florida and installed a very heavy duty Aluminum door, that you would swear is wood, that will withstand wind speeds up to 200mph.  Every material has pluses and minis.  Metal is strongest, fiberglass is rot resistant.  Wood is pretty.

At the minimum this is what I would do:

- Solid core exterior door (no glass on the sides or top)
- Replace hinge screws with something that is at least 3 to 4 inches
- Buy a kit to reinforce the jamb and hinge sides of the frame (to prevent them from splitting)
- Reinforce the deadbolt and locks on the door (to prevent the lock from breaking through the door)

A kit like this also has a part which reinforces the passive door top slide bolt (on french doors):
http://www.homedepot.com/p/StrikeMaster-II-French-Door-and-Double-Door-Reinforcement-Kit-3493/203104726

This is also a very strong lock you can add to side doors (or use on the front door when at home):
http://www.amazon.com/Cardinal-Gates-Door-Guardian-White/dp/B004RL1IMC

From there you can also add a security camera over your main entry points.

But if you want to get crazy....
http://www.prosteel.us/prosteel-security-doors/doors/ultra-security-door

We JUST had our door fortified last week.

We have a steel door, inswing, hinged on the right.

The upgrades:

Door Devil (Long metal plate that screws through the jamb into the stud framing the doorway at 9? points) This is an anti kick device. The door used to have a bit of play and gap now I can grba the handle and yank and it doesnt budge a milimeter.

We upgraded the handleset and deadbolt. The handleset is now a locking handle and the deadbolt is a higher grade and longer bolt.

Since we have a sidepane window on the handle side we got a third deadbolt called a "Double Deadbolt" which is keyed on both sides, even if the burglar broke the glass and wanted to reach in and unlock, that deadbolt would remain. (Glass break and/or the vibration sensor would have set off the alarm by now hopefully causing retreat)

Side notes...

When we are out for more than a day or two we lock the garage door and pull the plug on the opener and we lock the laundry room door.
Our entry keys go in the safe, If someone came in the window theyll be needing to haul whatever the steal back out that window :D

We replaced our outdoor lights with LED bulbs so they can be on from dusk till dawn and not kil our electricty, the halogens remain in the motions.

I went with one of these decorative but sturdy security screen doors. They are very nice looking too.



My house does not have AC and opening the doors with security screens + my turbo ceiling fan is pretty much the only way to safely cool the house without having to leave open windows that people could possibly crawl into.

Not wanting to hijack, but this I'm interested in this subject also.

How do you re-enforce the door frame?

Also, the 3M glass, does anyone know how good it is and the cost?

Sorry for the hijack OP.

You could dig into the wall near the door frame and add another 2x4 or 4x4 stud then drill/install some very long decking type screws to tie them all together.
In addition to the security doors, I went with the Strike Master door system. It adds a 5 ft long strip of steel to the lock area of the door frame + also  ties the king and jack studs together with heavy 3" screws for more strength. http://www.asafehome.net/strikemaster-ii-pro.php

It would be easier to go through the walls at my house but the exterior is covered with about 1"+ of stucco.

Check this out too:

http://armorconcepts.com/Door-Jamb-Armor/

 

It was a special order through Lowes and they come out and properly measure the door opening. I think I paid $1500 total for my door. Expensive, but I really like having a nice looking front door that is also very tough and well sealed around the edges.  There was no tax as it was an "installation included" job. The base price is like just under $1000.00 but after you start adding things like the security screen + $250, better locks + $$$ it starts to add up.

http://www.titansecurity.com/

Your front door should be well insulated to protect from local weather conditions, offer security against break ins with excellent locking systems and look attractive as it adds personality to your home. You can go with metal doors with wood like appearance and if you read Champion Windows Reviewsthere are many satisfied customers and I am among them. They provide warranties and their doors can be custom built to fit your home.