For homeowners wanting to upgrade their present doors to prevent thieves from being able to kick the door in to gain entry into homes.
Older homes probably have older doors and door frames. The deadbolt, when locked, extends into a piece of wood less than an inch thick. In this case, closer to a half inch. That's all that's keeping intruders out.
The new door will have metal plates which the deadbolt will catch on. One like so:
Another like so:
The door itself is metal so will not splinter and break. This door is white to match the house it's going in but you can get a metal door with a wood grain finish, if that is more in keeping with your home's style/decor.
A very important fact to keep in mind when installing a burglar proof door such as this is that it must be installed properly. "The tools are only as good as the craftsman." Don Kilgore (816) 305-6186 with Handyman Connection (913) 363-2900 installed this particular door. Handyman Connection has two locations in Kansas City and can do just about anything you need done as far as home maintenance, repair, and improvement. Don Kilgore is extremely knowledgeable, patient, and an all around good guy. I would trust him to work on my Mom's house. -- I digress; back to the door.
The door will come with the frame and door and short screws. You don't want the short screws. Well, you can use a few of them, but most you will want to replace with 3and1/2 inch screws. The longer screws secure the door frame to the frame of the building. If you use only the short screws, the door could still be kicked in.
You want the long screws to go into the 2x4's or 2x6's framing the building. I can't imagine the force that would be needed to yank those screws out! More than your average thief possesses, I'll bet. Easier for the thief to move on to an older door with no metal and short screws. The long screws secure the frame to the house. They go in both sides. In the photo below, we see them going into the hinge. They also go through the metal plates on the other side of the door.
Thanks, Don! You were so wonderful to explain everything with such patience and enthusiasm.
If Don ever decides to get out of the construction business, he would make an excellent teacher. With the amount of enthusiasm he has for his work, he'll probably keep on building! For anyone in the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area who needs an excellent carpenter, I highly recommend Don. He will give you a discount if you call him direct at (816) 305-6186 and tell him I sent you.
Realtor Maria Morton -816-560-3758- Leading Edge Society 2010...♪♫ 
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*Information obtained from Heartland MLS is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This is an eclectic blog combining a little business with pleasure; please consult a licensed professional before making life altering decisions. Maria Morton, Realtor©, SRES is a Kansas City Real Estate Agent licensed in MO & KS and affiliated with Prudential Kansas City Realty 816.410.5499.o Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of anyone other than Maria Morton Copyright © 2011 *Burglar Proof Doors*
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