How to Reinforce and Burglar Proof Your Entry Door

Reinforcing your entry door and making it burglar proof may not be sexy but keeping your stuff and your family safe is a noteworthy cause.

This is Jeff from Home Repair Tutor and today I'm going to take you through my step-by-step process on how to do use the EZ Armor Kit to reinforce an entry door. Unfortunately almost anyone could kick open your front door because it's most-likely secured with 1/2 or 3/4 inch steel screws. You can buy a kit from a home store like Lowe's that stop burglars in their tracks-literally. This kit is easy to install and needs only a drill along with a screw bit and 11/64 inch drill bit.

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0:00 How to Reinforce an Entry Door
0:36 EZ Armor Kit
1:36 Make sure that the hinge shield fits
2:11 Remove screws from the middle hinge and install the shield
4:54 Repeat the process with the bottom hinge
5:39 How to knock out the correct spots on the jam shield
6:17 How to drill holes in the jamb shield
7:07 How to install the jamb shield
8:20 See if there is enough space for the deadbolt and door lock shields
8:49 Change out screws on the deadbolt and door lock

#burglarproofhome #ezarmor #reinforceentrydoor

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Videos produced by Home Repair Tutor are provided for informational, educational, & entertainment purposes only. Some of these projects, materials, and techniques may not be appropriate for all ages or skill levels. Home Repair Tutor does not make any claims of the safety of the projects, techniques, or resources listed on this site and will not take responsibility of what you do with the information provided by this site. Viewers must be aware by doing DIY projects on their homes they are doing it at their own risk and Home Repair Tutor cannot be held liable if they cause any damage to their homes. Home Repair Tutor cannot claim liability with all applicable laws, rules, codes and regulations for a project.

[Italianborn]

I just leave a picture of my pay stub outside, nobody ever tried to rob me...sometimes i even find money

[GAG]

Speaking as a former Deputy, no door is burglar proof, best to refer to it as burglar resistant. This reinforcement kit looks like a good investment. Doors are likely the primary entry point, but don't forget that if the doors are too tough, they will probably move onto the windows. Note that anything that slows them down could prevent a burglary from happening.

[GTGallop]

The whole point to pre-drilling is so you don't split the wood. Doesn't matter if you have an impact driver or not - that doesn't change the physical characteristics of the wood the screw is going through. When you don't pre-drill you essentially "pre-split" the wood. That means your screws are not as strong as they could be. If you are spending $100 on a security device, why would you want to sabotage your efforts by NOT PRE-DRILLING? Seems counter intuitive to me. Never take shortcuts on anything that is safety or security related.

[Cumbriahandyman]

Does not matter what sort of drill you use, pre-drilling is done to stop the wood splitting.
:(

[greenspiraldragon]

You forgot the part where you test it by trying to kick it in.

[RenaissanceThinking]

Being a landlord for 30yrs I have first hand experience with the processes and benefits of "fortifying" entry doors. In general I was with you until you removed the screws in the door hardware and simply replaced with longer ones (w/o predrilling I'll note too) which really does nothing. Everything you did to that point does help a lot. But you can accomplish the same thing much cheaper simply by going down to the hardware store. Also, it helps to replace the screws going thru the hinge into the door as that interface is a weak point. Installing a shield to the outside of the frame covering the area where the bolts interface the striker plates is another inexpensive fortification.

For the people who mentioned the window...I've been intalling lexan instead of glass on first floor windows.
But in the end the only way to defend againt a break-in is a dog, a gun, and training.

[craigsawicky]

Pre-drilling is not always only for ease of installation. It can also lessen the chance of splitting. Granted where the screws are being placed should not create a problem, but...

[edcgear]

The "next step" is to replace ALL of the screws with 2.5- 3" long screws, on both (left and right) sides... so the hardware is SECURED into the vertical studs. (this alone will make the door 3x harder (or more) to enter. Then even if you don't have this "kit, " you just made it MUCH harder to force the door (front, back, side, etc.) in!

[grumpypants]

Hmm... I wonder if he should have pre-drilled? I think I’m gonna check the comments. I’m sure some helpful soul will address this...

[mikecampanella]

For everyone assuming that ez armor doesn't work, look for more videos and proof on here. It really stops kick ins rather perfectly. Of course there needs to be layers to one's home security such as doing the windows, lighting, a dog, camera, alarm, fencing, etc. This just shows how to install one of those things....

[stkout]

I disagree about not using the door shields just because you can't close the door. It's an important part of the system. Go buy a wood chisel to make it fit. Most of the wood is already removed for the existing plate. You only have to shave off a little bit above and below it. You don't even have to be too precise because the shield will cover any mistakes.

[Fordsterhend]

Just bought one at Lowes and looks like it will fit . Nothing is fool proof but this is better than having no extra support . Thank you for your video .

[cheriettejackson]

I'm amazed at the chintzy tiny screws that they put in strike plates and lock plates! I had the screws replaced at our home with the 3-1/2" ones you used here! Same with the hinges - replaced all the screws with serious, axe-kicking screws!

[terrystephens]

Many front doors are quite flimsy- you need a solid wood door in conjunction with the security kit shown. The door shown in this episode could still be kicked in because the locks are fastened to narrow vertical slats that are easily broken. The reinforcing shields for the locks, which were not used, add important stiffness to the edge of the door, so they should be used.

[bravesoulchannel]

Lol 😝 😆😂... I love the way he started this video with the kid kicking the door in. That was Outstanding! Great way to capture your audience. I’m sold already. 😎👍

[oldNavyJZ]

the purpose of predicting is to keep lumber from splitting. an impact driver doesn't help. pre-drill.

[rebels]

Should probably drive some 3-4in screws into the door side of the hinge too. Not just the frame side. Also, if you were to recess your hinges it would allow you enough space to mount the door shield parts.

[stlblueeyedmale]

My son owns a home security business and this is a great instruction video on ways to help you stay safe.  Great job.

[tigerpride]

Just wanted to thank everyone in the comments for the crash course on woodwork! This is why I always go straight to the comments on any video

[Wintershot]

Do not use this video as a good practice guide. An impact driver is still, at best, going to weaken the wood, if you don't pre-drill first.

A steel frame reinforcer is a far better option than plate reinforcement.