How to Make a Glass Door Burglar-Proof

if you have a glass door and you own your home then you have a huge personal security issue, and you probably have plenty to worry about as it is as far as thwarting would-be burglars Most glass doors are built with appearances in mind, not security, If you wish to retain the beauty and elegance that having a glass door affords you then you need to make sure that it's burglar-proof. The following article will show you how to secure your glass door easily.

Change the Hinges

Hinges are typically made out of cheap metals that are easily bent and broken. Replacing the hinges on your glass doors will add extra strength and security to the door. When you install the hinges make sure they are facing the inside of the home and are not visible from the outside as hinges facing the outside can easily be removed. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the hinges in place. Line the new hinges up with the old holes and screw them in place. You should have at least 3 hinges on the door but can just as easily have five of them according to the manufacturer or your personal preferences.

Strengthen the Frame

Door frames are often only tacked into place, which means that the frame can easily get broken if the door is kicked too hard. A simple fix to increase security is to install 3-inch long screws through the frame. The goal is to make the screws sink into the studs. You can also use these screws to secure the hinges to the wall side of the door. Place the screws up and down the entire door as well as the doorstop.

Doorknob Security

By itself, a doorknob is fairly secure, but replacing your current doorknob with a self-locking one will keep you from having to worry if you locked the door at night. Use the screwdriver to remove the doorknob, then unscrew both halves from one another, then install your new doorknob. At this time you can also add a new stainless steel strike plate and bolt latch, using 3-inch screws to secure the bolt latch to the wall stud. Install a deadbolt by drilling a hole in the door to the size instructed by the deadbolt directions. Cylinder guards are also a must for glass door security. Burglars can use hammers and wrenches to pry off lock cylinders but cylinder guards can stop this from happening.

Security Bars

They may not seem like a good option to preserve the classy nature of a glass door but there are types of iron bars that are very nice that can match your decor. Security bars go on the outside of the door and you need to measure the front of the door, leaving an inch around the frame, to make sure you purchase the right size bars. Use screws that are 1/2-inch shy of the thickness of the glass door frame.