I ask because about 6 years ago my house was broken into, they kicked the
back door open and busted the door frame.
After inspecting the construction of the door frame I decided that I no
longer feel safe that a locked door can actually keep anyone out if they put
forth even 1 oz of effort. What good is a Schlage lock if the frame is made
of thin pine?
I fixed the door my self because the couple of contractors I talked to
didn't know of any commercial door frames that were kick-open proof.
Just inside of the molding I bolted, using 10 four inch long 1/2 inch lag
bolts to attach a full, floor to top of door frame, length of 1/4 inch angle
iron. The framing it self is 3 2x4's but the final, origional, door frame
included shims and thin pine. The angle iron I mounted was such that the
latch and the dead bolt went into holes cut into the iron. I had to make the
finishing wood extra thin to make space for the iron. No more shims or cheep
pine frame to hold the door shut, now the wood is only cosmetic. I also
installed a steel strap on the frame of the other side by the hinges. This
was a lot of work, but ended up looking almost like the origional frame. I
finished it off with a steel frame door with only a small window, so no one
could climb through or reach through and get to the inside lock.
I'm wondering if there is a pre-built frame out there that I could simply
have purchased and installed rather than making a customized frame, as I
did?
I'm also wondering why such an easy to distroy door frame is the industry
standard. I live in the Phoenix Arizona area and over the past several years
have seen hundreds of homes being built, all with the same cheep door frame
construction.
--
______________________________
Keep the whole world singing . . . .
DanG (remove the sevens)
dgri...@7cox.net
"42" <chri...@cox.net> wrote in message
news:AwHQm.59338$Zu5....@newsfe24.iad...
A good steel frame will work well. However, not as attractive.
Mounting can be (more) difficult, but not impossible.
Of course then a steel door is next, and for absolute security: no
glass.
I'd suggest a .357 or .44 as a backup protection device, and a video
camera that is visible, and another one (well hidden) that shows both
the visible camera and the door. Record the video as needed.
I'll keep those brands in mind. I like the looks of some of the Ceco doors.
The doors and camera system will be installed in the new home.
Again, thanks.