Hey guys, I'm replacing my front and back doors and three windows in my house, and I could use some advice about security features.
My front door is 32" in a hardwood lumber frame with a storm door, opening from my porch into my living room. My local hardware store stocks
Larson "secure" storm doors for $340, which look pretty damned good. They have a 1 5/8" (hollow) aluminum frame and a keyed lock with a three-point bolt, two of which hook into the frame. The door is full length glass, but it's laminated with a tough plastic like windshield glass for shatter resistance. You could get past it, of course, but it looks like it would take awhile and you're going to make some serious noise.
As for the entry door itself, I'm not sure what I should get. A "standard" fiberglass or steel door? A custom, heavy, all wood job? Whatever the base door, I want to make some upgrades. Something like a
Strikemaster II, or
Door Jamb Armor kit at around $100, a 4'-5' long steel plate that replaces the dinky standard strike plate, with reinforced hinges and plates wrapping around the deadbolt installation. The back door is 36" without a storm door and in pine 2x4 framing. I'd like a similar set up there, or even heavier since it's the more likely one to be assaulted in an attempted break in and less used, so it can be less pretty.
The windows are 26" x 69", two of them facing the porch, one facing the side yard. The one facing the side yard is the most isolated, almost completely screened from view from the street and most neighbors. I've been looking at the standard, cheap, double hung two pane replacement windows. I reckon the most likely way to gain entry is to smash the glass, so I'm interested in security film, but I don't know which brand is best. Also, how useful is it to add this film to a "budget" window? Do you need reinforced frames to get full benefit from this?
I imagine the other method of entry is by prying the window open. There will be the standard, dinky, window lock, but I'm sure that can be improved on. There are products like this
Pin Lock which go through sash and frame, or
this simple widget that fits onto the track. And then there's the good old fashioned dowel rod jammed between the bottom window and the top of the frame. What do you guys like/don't like in window locks?
ETA: I should note that there is one major cosmetic flaw with the Larson storm doors, the handle is not solid brass. Apparently a lot of buyers report that this finish flakes off fairly easily and makes the handle look like ass. On the other hand, these doors also qualify for a 30% Energy Tax Credit (as will the windows and entry doors I'm looking at, 30% tax credit applies to the cost of the hardware only, not installation)