Will a Security Door Help Keep My Home Safe?
Security doors are designed to give your home greater protection than a standard door. With reinforced, heavy-duty steel or aluminum construction and sturdy lock mechanisms, they’re your first line of defense against unwanted intruders. Many security doors have hidden tamper-proof hinges which protect against forced entry. A security door can also withstand damage from severe storms, debris and high winds better than regular residential doors.
For even more protection, some security doors are equipped with a 3-point locking system that employs a lock mechanism along with dual-action deadbolts, locking the door in three parts along the length of the door, giving you three times the level of security and making it even more difficult for intruders to gain entry.
With security doors, there’s no need to sacrifice appearance for functionality. Choose from decorative doors with ornate designs that add to your home’s curb appeal or stick to the basics with a plain vertical-barred security door. Either way, security doors are a strong deterrent for any would-be burglar.
Security gates (also called expandable gates or scissor gates) are retractable gates often used on storefronts and commercial properties; however, they’re also used in residential properties to protect vulnerable areas. They’re made from steel or aluminum and can be installed inside or outside of door jambs.
Security door installation can be a challenging project. Contact Lowe’s for help with professional installation of a new security door.
Is It a Security Door, a Storm Door or a Screen Door?
Security doors are often confused with storm doors and screen doors. There are, however, differences between the three.
Storm Doors
Storm doors, typically made from vinyl or aluminum, protect the main door from the elements. Many storm door models have a full or partial glass panel that you can switch out with a screen to provide seasonal ventilation, while others feature an all-glass panel. For pet owners, there are storm doors that even have an integrated pet door, giving your dog or cat a measure of freedom to come and go.
If you want added protection, consider a security storm door. This type of door has a welded steel frame, a protective grille and an anti-removal vault pin system. Vault pins secure the door to the house, helping to prevent removal of the door from outside. Security storm doors have tempered glass which is a bit stronger than standard glass and breaks into small granules rather than sharp shards.
For more on storm doors, read our storm door guide to help you find the right model for your home.
Screen Doors
A screen door is lightweight and is typically made from aluminum or fiberglass. It has a mesh screen panel that allows fresh air to circulate throughout your home. Although they aren’t reinforced doors and offer minimal security, they help keep bugs and debris out while letting in natural light.
If you need better security for front doors, back doors and patio doors, consider security screen doors. These heavy-duty doors have strong frames and are designed to keep intruders out while still allowing ventilation.
Screens for Security Doors
There are several screen types available with modern security screen doors. High-tensile woven mesh, perforated mesh and mesh steel are three common types.
You might find similar screen types available with some storm doors.
High-Tensile Woven Mesh Screens
Security doors with high-tensile woven mesh screens offer levels of visibility, light and ventilation similar to those of a standard screen door. However, a stainless steel wire construction resists cuts and impacts, providing good weather resistance and more strength than a standard screen door with aluminum or nylon mesh. High-tensile woven mesh screens are among the strongest types of screens for residential security doors.
Perforated Mesh Metal Screens
Perforated mesh screens are made from a single metal panel. The manufacturing process punches holes in the sheet to create small circular vents. The vents allow airflow, and while they don’t offer the same views as a mesh screen, they make it more difficult to see inside your home. These factors mean a security door with a perforated mesh metal screen offers a good level of privacy and protection.
Mesh Steel Screens
Mesh steel screens are also made from a single metal panel. The manufacturing process cuts slits in the panel and then stretches the material to size, creating a network of diamond-shaped vents. Security doors with mesh metal screens offer a good blend of privacy, ventilation and protection. You may also see these doors described as expanded metal screen security doors.
Security Door Handing
A security door opens outward, away from the home’s interior. The door handing – the placement of the handle and the direction of the door swing – is an important part of the security door. A right-hand outswing door (right) opens to the right and a left-hand outswing door opens to the left.
Universal reversable security doors let you install the door with either a right-hand outswing or a left-hand outswing.
The door’s handing is the opposite of hinging. For example, a security door with hinges on the right side of the door has a left-hand outswing.
What Hardware Do I Need for a Security Door?
Your choice of door hardware should complement the door’s aesthetics. For the best look, choose the right hardware for the door. Hardware includes the door handle or knob, deadbolts and hinges.
Hardware is available in different finishes, including satin, polished and venetian bronze. Colors include gold, silver, chrome and more.
Security Door Knobs
As with security doors, security door lock sets come in assorted styles. With security door knobs, many keyed entry knobs come as a set with a deadbolt.
Security Door Handles
Some security doors come with handles included, giving you one less thing to purchase. If the security door handles aren’t included, make sure you choose a handle that’s compatible with your door.
Security Door Deadbolts
Deadbolts are a security door’s best weapon against forced entry. They’re the most secure because the deadbolts are housed inside of the door frame, making them the best safeguard. Deadbolts are available as single cylinder, which only requires a key on one side, and double cylinder, which requires a key on both sides. You’ll also find single sided deadbolts which are installed on the inside of the door and are locked using a thumb turn. Single sided deadbolts are undetectable from the outside.
Security Door Hinges
Security door hinges are different from regular door hinges and offer better protection. They’re designed to be tamper-resistant and hinder someone from breaking into your home by removing the hinge and eventually removing the door.
Security Door Configuration
Openwork steel is the most common style of security door, characterized by design techniques to create holes, or open spaces in the steel. Openwork steel doors come in many beautiful designs.
The most common security door configuration is a single door. These doors are fully customizable and available in a basic vertical bar design or more ornate designs.
Another option is a prehung single door. With a prehung door, the entire unit is installed. Prehung doors come with the frame, door jambs and header, making installation a little easier than without a prehung door.
Double security doors consist of one main door and a second door. These doors open from the middle, with the door knob or door handle and deadbolt, if used, located on one door. The hinges are located on the outside of the doors. Typically, the second door remains stationary, but it can opened if needed. These doors work with double front doors, French doors and sliding glass doors.
How to Measure for a Security Door
Measuring for a security door is as quick and easy as measuring the height and width of the finished opening. For both height and width, measure in three places.
For the height, each measurement will be from the threshold (or the sill) to the underneath surface of the brickmould (or trim). Measure the left side of the opening, the middle of the opening and the right side of the opening. Use the smallest of the three measurements to determine the security door size. For example, if the left, right and center measurements are 80 inches, 79 inches and 79-1/2 inches, use 79 inches to determine the new door height.
For the width, measure at the top, middle and bottom. Again, use the smallest of the three widths to determine what size door you’ll need.
Add-Ons to Consider With a Security Door
Here are a few ideas to help weatherproof your door. Use weatherstripping to seal any air leaks around the door. Another option is to use exterior window and door caulk to seal gaps in between the door frame and the wall. Installing a threshold at the bottom of the door will prevent water from getting under it. A door sweep is often used in combination with a threshold.
You may also want to think about getting a waterproof smart lock for your security door. Smart locks put the power of technology to work for you. Not all smart locks are weatherproof so make sure to check the packaging before purchasing.
Not all hardware and add-ons are compatible with all security doors. Before purchasing door hardware and add-ons, make sure they’ll fit your door.