Article Summary
- Home burglaries are on the rise in the United States because many residences are susceptible to forcible entry.
- Armored doors from trusted companies like Hidden Door Stores can strengthen your home’s first line of defense.
- Prehung high-security doors are customizable and compatible with home automation systems.
Are Armored Doors a Good Fit for Your Home? Here’s What You Need to Know
Despite rising concerns around home security, many American homes are still built with exterior doors offering minimal resistance to forced entry. Overseas, tamper-resistant front, back and garage doors are often considered the standard, so many may be surprised to see how alarmingly common it is for homes in the U.S. to lack basic burglar proofing. Hidden Door Store explains why incorporating an armored door into your home’s first line of defense is a smart move.
Why Residential Homes Are Common Break-In Targets
In many areas, residential properties are more attractive break-in targets than commercial ones. Homes with poor lighting embolden intruders to operate at night without fear of being identified and caught. Prowlers usually prefer to attack between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. because they know most houses are empty during the day, as residents are at work or school.
The FBI received over 580,000 home burglary reports in 2021 alone, with the front door being the primary point of forced entry in most cases. Criminals target them because they know most residences use builder-grade exterior doors and frames, which are rarely reinforced and can splinter under force.
Intruders take the path of least resistance. They aim to break in through unlocked doors and windows. If either method fails, burglars may jimmy exterior doors with outdated locks or even just kick them open.
How Armored Doors Strengthen Your First Line of Defense
Unlike standard doors that splinter easily, armored front doors are engineered to hold firm. High-security doors should be made to withstand extreme attacks, from crowbars and screwdrivers all the way up to sledgehammers and axes. Tamper-resistant hinges and steel frames help to eliminate weak points, making it significantly more difficult for intruders to force entry.
For entry doors to be considered truly tamper-resistant, they need to be designed and tested to deter break-ins by significantly increasing resistance time. Most burglars are trying to act quickly, so they’ll likely choose another house with a less secure front door instead of spending considerable time and energy trying to compromise a break-in-resistant door.
Hidden Door Store’s Embassy Series and Fortress Series door models meet the U.S. Department of State’s standards for forced-entry resistance. Independent auditors have verified that they can hold out against FE5 and FE15 attacks, which means they remain unscathed after five to 15 minutes of relentless forced-entry attempts by multiple individuals.
Choosing Between Armored Single and Double Doors
Armored single doors are a simple, secure and sleek choice for standard front and side entrances. They are generally considered more secure than double doors due to their single locking point and solid frame.
Double doors are a popular option for grander entrances, but may create security vulnerabilities if not reinforced. However, Hidden Door Store’s armored double doors feature reinforced meeting points to prevent splitting or twisting under pressure. In fact, their shield double doors have passed the European RC3 rating, demonstrating a uniquely high level of resistance against forced entry.
Hidden Door Store’s prehung Armored Double Door and Single Door models both feature extensive certifications, including iFT Rosenheim’s EN1627 for burglary resistance, so expect a high level of security with whichever option you choose. Plus, they’re customizable to meet your aesthetic requirements without sacrificing protection.
Smart Access Control for Modern Homes
Hidden Door Store products support smart access control. You can equip them with an RFID door lock system for key fob door entry.
CAD software allows the company to add an autolocking feature and a biometric-based access control system. Its tamper-resistant entry doors are compatible with third-party door security systems, simplifying integration with various home automation technologies for remote control and monitoring.
Are Armored Doors Break-In-Proof? Here’s What That Actually Means
No security door is immune to intrusion attempts. Layered protection is crucial for forced-entry prevention. Combine your high-security doors with surveillance cameras, motion sensors and audible alarms to scare away as many trespassers as possible.
Armored doors make it significantly harder to get into the house. They discourage those who would still choose to target your residence despite deterrents like alarms and cameras, forcing them to leave when they realize your door is break-in-resistant.
Hidden Door Store stands behind the performance of its doors, offering a 10-year no-nonsense warranty on the entire unit, including parts. This warranty reflects the company’s confidence in its craftsmanship and commitment to long-term security and customer satisfaction.
Peace of Mind for Homeowners
Hidden Door Store products are guaranteed to reduce the likelihood of a successful burglary or home invasion. They help you sleep well at night and leave the house with a sense of security, knowing your loved ones and valuables are safe.
Beyond the protection they offer, upgrading your exterior door is also a smart financial move. Replacing your front door can yield up to a 60% return on investment, making it one of the highest-ROI home renovation projects you can tackle. High-security entry doors may even lower your homeowners’ insurance premiums, drive up your property’s value and legally increase your basis to pay less capital gains tax when you sell your property.
Elevate Home Security With an Armored Front Door
Hidden Door Store offers a broad selection of break-in-resistant doors with customizable security and aesthetic features. Have questions? Reach out to the team today to discuss your needs and preferred model.