Door Reinforcement: Strengthening Your Doors Against Forced Entry

A strong lock is essential, but it's only part of the equation. If your door or door frame is weak, a burglar can simply kick the door in or use a ram to force it open, regardless of how good your lock is. Door reinforcement addresses the structural weaknesses that locks alone can't fix.

The most vulnerable part of most doors is the frame — specifically, the area around the lock. When a door is kicked in, it's usually the frame that fails, not the lock. A London bar — a heavy steel plate fitted to the inside of the door over the lock area — spreads the force of any impact across a much larger area, making it extremely difficult to kick the door in.

Hinge bolts are another essential reinforcement. These are steel bolts fitted into the hinge side of the door that engage with holes in the frame when the door is closed. Even if the hinges are removed or broken, the hinge bolts hold the door in place. They're particularly important for outward-opening doors where the hinge pins might otherwise be accessible from outside.

A door chain or door limiter allows you to partially open the door to speak to callers without fully opening it. While not a high-security device, it provides a useful layer of protection against push-in attacks where someone forces their way in when you open the door.

For uPVC and composite doors, anti-lift devices prevent the door from being lifted off its hinges. A door sash jammer provides an additional locking point that's independent of the main lock mechanism.

At Oldham Locksmiths, we can assess your doors and recommend the most effective reinforcement for your property type. Call 07949 139 475 for advice and a free quote.