No matter what the architectural style of your house is or where you live, home security is undoubtedly one of the top priorities for discerning homeowners such as yourself. While some choose to invest in the latest home security gadgets & even in pets such as guard dogs, there is still a surprising number of people who prefer to stick with more traditional (and perhaps even more practical) means of securing their homes. If you are of the latter demographic, here are some tips and tricks you can utilize to ensure your homes is well-equipped to protect you and your loved ones against intruders.
Secure Your Doors
No home security plan can be called as such if door security isn’t included. Keep in mind that every door in your home can be a point of entry not just for you and your guests, but for unwelcome guests as well. This is why every door should be fortified, from the main entrance to the ones at the back. You can secure your doors in several ways. Below are the most sensible and most commonly used door-securing mechanisms.
Deadbolts
Deadbolts are as strait-laced as they sound. They’re usually used for exterior doors and are a step further than the simple lock mechanism, which can be easily be breached using the card-shimmying technique (a method that works in movies as well as in real life). For the deadbolt to work, you have to make sure that the bolt extends at least an inch or two into the door frame. The strike plate should also be installed using screws that are at least three inches long for added security.
Keep in mind that deadbolts can only be operated from the inside. You should also consider the door material since deadbolts work best on wooden doors, especially sturdy ones.
Reinforcing Latch
The reinforcing latch works a little bit better than old-fashioned chain latches. When you use a chain latch, your door can still be opened up to a few centimeters, giving intruders the allowance they need to gain entry. On the other hand, a reinforcing latch keeps your door shut, providing a much-needed extra point of resistance should someone try to force their way into your home.
Door Reinforcer
Home intruders and burglars get highly creative when it comes to trying to get into your home uninvited. They’ll use just about any equipment they can, from credit cards to lock-picking kits and even not-so-subtle tools such as pry bars. A door reinforcer, which is a U-shaped metal plate that is attached around the outer edge of a wooden door, helps prevent intruders from taking out your locks. Another good thing about door reinforcers is that there are variants available that can fit a pretty wide variety of door locks.
However, do note that door reinforcers aren’t meant to be used on their own. They work best when used alongside deadbolts.
Peepholes
You’ve probably seen many horror and thriller films start out with strangers knocking on the doors of some unsuspecting family. This is actually a method commonly used by crooks in real life where they try to get you to open the door so they can force their way in. Wide-angle peepholes help you make sure that you’re opening your door only for the people you know. Peepholes also allow you to assess the person or people at your door.
Durable Materials
When it comes to securing your doors, it’s a mistake to just rely on mechanisms to help prevent break-ins. As a homeowner whose top concern is the safety of the entire household, you also want to make sure that the materials used for your doors are durable enough to withstand or at least deter burglary attempts. This is applicable to every door in your home, including a patio door installation in Findlay, OH.
Today, patio doors, like the ones from Clear Choice Exteriors Findlay, are made from fiberglass, steel and a heavy-duty mainframe, plus high-quality locks. These materials and features will go a long way in providing added security to your home.
Secure Your Windows
If burglars can’t gain access into your home via your doors, they’ll go for the next plausible point of entry—your windows. Needless to say, you shouldn’t let your windows become the chink in your home’s armor. Here are a few things you can do to fortify the security features of your energy efficient replacement windows in Findlay, OH.
Locks
Typically, home intruders would want to avoid making noise and thus wouldn’t immediately try to break your windows. Instead, they’ll first try to pry your windows open. To make forced entry difficult to pull off, choose the right kind of locks for each window type. Locks are the perfect security tool if you want protection but still prefer your windows to provide access and a view.
Window Latch
These are the most common types of window locks. Window latches are typically used on single and double hung windows and reinforced by other types of locks to secure the window sashes.
Keyed Locks
A keyed lock is an additional lock installed on the side of single hung windows, double hung windows and sliding windows. They secure the windows to the frame.
Sliding Window Locks
Sliding window locks are perhaps one of the most uncomplicated yet effective locks in the market as they don’t require any installation. You don’t have to take measurements or bring out the power tools and drill holes. All you have to do is place the mechanism in the sliding track so that it can prevent the window from opening. Simply take the lock from the track if you want to open your windows.
Other variants do have key mechanisms as an added security feature. These types of locks also come in variants suitable for doors.
Folding Latches
Folding latches are a great choice if you have casement or awning windows. They are installed on the window frame and folds down once the window is closed, keeping it shut.
Shatter-Proof Windows
When your window locks prove to be too formidable a foe, intruders will most likely try breaking the glass. Make this feat close to impossible by investing in reinforced glass such as tempered glass, safety glass or bullet-resistant glass. These types of glass offer more resistance against repeated blows and blunt force than their standard counterparts. Note that due to their special features, these window glasses might cost more.
Security Bars
If aesthetics isn’t an issue, security bars are the way to go. However, these should only be installed in accordance to fire escape plans. For example, you can use these for basement windows, but choose the adjustable, quick-release variants so you won’t get locked in should you need to escape from, say, a fire. In any case, you can have security bars installed on any of your windows. That is, if you don’t mind the, well, bars.
Home Security, Simplified
While these security features can help deter break-ins, it’s worth noting that locks and the like can’t guarantee that your home won’t get broken into. What these mechanisms do is give your home a better fighting chance against intruders. While there are more advanced security systems available, door and window replacement services in Findlay, OH can be a good place to start. Make sure you invest in the highest quality materials and proper installation so you can sleep better at night knowing that your home is well-equipped to deal with a break-in.