Article Summary
- Learn how reinforcing doors, windows, and alarm systems can deter intruders and secure your home effectively.
- Buy valuable time in emergencies to mitigate avoidable tragedies by upgrading high-risk entryways.
- Reinforcing every entry point is your first defense against burglary; effective home security starts with active deterrence.
Residential Burglary Protection: Key Points of Entry
When discussing how to burglar-proof your house, one of the first steps is to identify potential points of entry. The more secure all your entry points are, including windows, the harder it will be for burglars to enter your home. This includes having a security system that is easy for you to use, which is where electronic lock systems shine.
Flaws or weaknesses in entryways into your home are the most significant risks when it comes to break-ins. According to law enforcement statistics, these are the most common entry points that burglars use to gain entry into residential properties:
- The front door
- First-floor windows
- Back doors
- Garage doors
In fact, 34% of burglaries happen when would-be thieves enter through the front door. All of these points are vulnerable because they are often not equipped to prevent forced entry. The reasons can vary from hollow-core doors to cheap locks and hinges, weak door frames, or general poor construction. In these cases, replacing existing doors and windows with high-security options can provide immediate benefits. When every moment counts, secure entryways can buy you valuable time needed for authorities to respond.
What Houses Do Burglars Avoid?
In general, would-be thieves are looking for high-value, poorly protected properties. High-quality home security systems are just one part of deterrence. Visible cameras, in addition to alarm systems, are essential for creating a sense of “not worth it” for potential criminals. However, these solutions are more reactive than upgrading your existing points of entry to be high-security.
Homes with reinforced door security are at the bottom of a potential thief’s list. Home entry point security is one of the highest returns on investment you can make in your family’s safety. From steel-core custom-built doors that take significantly longer to breach to high-security windows that are incredibly difficult to penetrate, residential burglary protection has come a long way from displaying a security company’s sign on your lawn as a deterrent.
Ways To Make Your Home A Harder Target
Securing the various entry points throughout your entire house is the best way to make your home a harder target for potential thieves. When thinking about how to burglar-proof your house, you’ll want to pay attention to both the obvious entry points and the small details, especially where your home faces the street.
Consider the following when looking to secure entryways:
- Installing a camera and alarm system
- Replacing manufacturer doors and windows
- Perform regular maintenance on all entry points
- Integrate outdoor motion-activated lighting
- Keep landscaping tidy to avoid potential cover for break-ins
- Invest in high-security doors, such as steel core doors
By taking the time to reinforce your home entry point security, you are making an investment in your family’s safety. While there are plenty of things within your control for residential burglary protection, you must always keep in mind that your main goal should be to avoid preventable tragedies that result from break-ins. All these deterrents are designed to make your home not only a less appealing target, but also to buy you additional time in the case of a break-in attempt to get your family to safety and alert first responders.
Can Burglars Break Through A Steel Door?
Multiple factors are involved in a door’s durability. The door itself is often the strongest and most difficult to penetrate component. However, it is not the only point of access. A door’s lock quality (how easy it is to pick or otherwise disable the lock), the strength of a door’s hinges, and how strong the doorframe itself is are all extremely important when considering the overall resistance a door provides. While it is possible to break through a steel door or the surroundings of the door with enough time and equipment, the difficulty will provide the vital time needed in an emergency.
Managing Aesthetics and Security
Residential burglary protection is a long-term investment in your home, but that does not mean you need to sacrifice looks. Modern reinforced door security options can be nearly indistinguishable from your typical front door. Shield Security Doors’ most popular options include a steel-core door with a stylish wood panel facade, state-of-the-art electronic locks, and a custom-fitted doorframe for maximum security.
Another way that the durability and strength of a door can be increased without sacrificing looks is by replacing standard glass cut-outs with reinforced or laminated glass. This allows you to keep the front door aesthetic and increase the amount of time it takes to break through the door.
How Much Should You Spend on Home Security?
When deciding how much you can spend on residential burglary protection, you’ll want to focus on the cost-benefit of preventing theft versus how much you could potentially lose. When making this determination, remember to factor in any insurance you might have. As discussed earlier, protecting your home with high-security doors and high-security windows is a long-term investment in the value of your property.
Well-maintained security systems and reinforcements are both ways to increase how much your home might potentially sell for in the future and secure your safety and possessions in the present. When considering options, consider your budget, your existing security measures, and the level of risk you face. If you live in a high-risk area, you’ll want to invest more in security measures that both deter break-ins and provide practical protection.
Why Securing Your Entry Points Matters
Overall, keeping would-be intruders out requires a combination of secure entryways, theft deterrence, and vigilance to maintain your chosen systems. At Shield Security Doors, we take pride in helping our customers find the best security solutions for their needs. From our custom professionally made reinforced door security options to our security windows, electronic lock systems, and more, we seek to provide quality solutions and advice. If you are ready to upgrade your residential burglary protection, reach out to our team of experts to find out more about how we can help ensure your home’s safety.