Installing a 12” strike plate for security

[tstex]

Hello Guys,

We’ve had 12 door break’ins in the last 2 weeks. Kicking in back doors the main MO. Wife is on edge when I’m traveling.

Besides the wife getting a .38 snub, I’m going to install these 12” strike plates and sub 3.5” stainless steel screws. In doing so, i have to remove 12” total of the copper flashing.

Is there anything that’s cost effective I can retrofit that 12” area to help keep in the cool air and keep out the heat? I have 4 of these so I’m going to repeat this process multiple times.

Pls see pic of product and 2 of the 4 thresholds. Thank you very much in advance.

 

[Midniteoyl]

If you can find the 4ft to full length anti-kick plates, those would work better.

Amazon.com

As for weatherstrip, I like the magnetic seals for steel doors.

Amazon.com

 

[Tpondel]

A big part of safety is LONG screws.

 

[tstex]

If you can find the 4ft to full length anti-kick plates, those would work better.

Amazon.com

As for weatherstrip, I like the magnetic seals for steel doors.

Amazon.com

Thank you on the magnetic seals.

 

[tstex]

A big part of safety is LONG screws.

Yes. I’m going w 3.5” screws (all 9 of them) into the strike plate and putting two 3.5” screws into each of the 4 hinges too. These doors are 8ft tall w 4 hinges. Each hinge has 4 screws and I’m putting replacing 2 of them. Each door has double studs on both handle and hinge sides. These 3.5” screws will go into all 4 studs of the two on both sides.

 

[CDBUG]

A German Shepherd..or 2

 

[jmc]

Ugh. I went thru that at my shop which had a residential grade utility door, lock, and deadbolt. From the looks of the first break-in damage, they probably only had to kick it once. The door jamb was very light weight pine.

I reinforced the jamb with angle iron and it held up better during the second break-in- maybe three kicks that time. The new weak link was the door latch and deadbolt- an assembly of flimsy metal stampings encased in a flimsy sheet metal over foam cored door.

Good luck.

 

[LouNY]

When you are replacing the screws you may want to be carefull when adding screws were there were not any as when they shimmed the door for the initial install they put them were the screws went there is likely a gap between the door and the wall studs that will distort your door frame if tightened up to much.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

Hopefully you are practicing shooting with wife if she is not experienced yet...
Myself, I would prefer a shotgun for my wife. But I get the argument for a handgun, which is what is my choice for me.

 

[LouNY]

If I was in an area that the doors were getting kicked in frequently, I'd be tempted to install some heavy security doors in the outward opening as a storm door. With the outward opening they have to pull it out which is more difficult then kicking in.

 

[Dadnatron]

Hello Guys,

We’ve had 12 door break’ins in the last 2 weeks. Kicking in back doors the main MO. Wife is on edge when I’m traveling.

Besides the wife getting a .38 snub, I’m going to install these 12” strike plates and sub 3.5” stainless steel screws. In doing so, i have to remove 12” total of the copper flashing.

Is there anything that’s cost effective I can retrofit that 12” area to help keep in the cool air and keep out the heat? I have 4 of these so I’m going to repeat this process multiple times.

Pls see pic of product and 2 of the 4 thresholds. Thank you very much in advance.

Make damn certain the spanning distance is. Correct. I just had a similar situation and the spacing for the bolt to door is NOT the same on my door as that ‘security’ plate. And to my eye, that plate may not match your span.

 

[2manyrocks]

Security door reinforcement locks could be installed. Amazon.com

Hidden security camera also seems like a good idea with this many break ins.

 

[number two]

12 in two weeks-Yikes!
Move or maybe land mines?
Good Luck!

 

[zzvyb6]

Don't forget aout the hinge screws. 'They' usually detect the reinforced lock side, then kick in the hinge side because they generally have 1" screws in them. Use screws long enough to penetrate beyond the double studs of the door frame.
Also install a double keyed deadbolt (keys) needed on both sides with the inside 1 usually kept in there. This prevents 'them' fron breaking door or side glass and reaching in to turn the bolt. Yes it can be a fire danger if the key is not there and you are trapped. so park the key nearby ad out of sight.

There are knob hangers that 'bark' like a mad dog when jostled. Also hang some or one bell from the top of the inside of each door so when it opens or is kicked, it rings a specific tone. Different tone for each door. And don't get shot by your wife if she doesn't recognize you coming in late at night. Who then is going to fix the wallboard ?

 

[ultrarunner]

I made my own strike plates on the mill full length and not a single jamb break since.

Now it’s the door that splinters around the lock so I beefed that up but any wood construction can be overcome with enough force.

One of my friends has 2x4 across to back stop force at at kick level and just below lock level.

In Europe doors can be like vaults with cams on all 4 sides for max engagement into the steel frame.

Windows there have security toll down shutters…

No limit to enhancements.

Steel security doors can be folded with pry bars.

Any jamb can be spread with a porta power like police use.

Maybe dogs…

 

[mrmikey]

When I built my garage years ago that was a concern of mine so I built some s/s plates for the jamb and the door:

 

[dougtrr2]

12 times in 2 weeks?? So they take Sundays off? What are they stealing? Why are they coming in? What about the neighbors, are they getting broke into also? If they are that determined windows may be next. There just seems to be more to this story.

Doug in SW IA

 

[Runner]

Sorry for your situation. Can't help with your specific question, but I do like the idea of security outer doors. I made my own ghetto bars for the shop.

 

[tradosaurus]

Hopefully you are practicing shooting with wife if she is not experienced yet...
Myself, I would prefer a shotgun for my wife. But I get the argument for a handgun, which is what is my choice for me.

And remember, "A man worth shooting once, is worth shooting twice" and "Dead men tell no tales".

 

[newbury]

A good one or two BBDs will solve.
Big Black Dogs are amazing.