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A Plain Guide to Securing Doors and Windows at Home
Where exterior doors and windows tend to fail, and a sensible order for fixing the weak points, from frames and strike plates to locks, glass and habits.
Home Security
Door and Window Security
Locks, frames and glass that protect the openings of a home.
Garage Door Security Habits That Close an Easy Entry Point
The garage is an overlooked way into many homes. Learn simple habits for remotes, the emergency release cord and the interior door that connects to the house.
How Deadbolts Work and What Lock Grades Mean
A plain explanation of how a deadbolt locks, the difference between single and double cylinder types, and how Grade 1, 2 and 3 ratings generally rank lock strength.
Key Control and Rekeying After a Move
Why you cannot know who holds keys to a new home, how rekeying differs from replacing locks, and simple ways to track and manage spare keys.
Peepholes, Door Viewers and Knowing Who Is at the Door
Compare peepholes, wide-angle door viewers, chains and other low-tech ways to screen visitors before you open the door, including their limits.
Securing Sliding Glass Doors Against Forced Entry
Why sliding glass doors are a common weak point, and how track bars, secondary locks and anti-lift measures can make them harder to force open or lift out.
Security Film for Glass: What It Does and Does Not Do
Learn how laminated security film holds broken glass together, what thickness and attachment mean, and why it delays rather than stops a determined intruder.
Smart Locks Versus Traditional Locks: A Fair Comparison
A balanced comparison of keypad and app-controlled door locks with mechanical deadbolts, covering reliability, convenience, batteries, access codes and risks.
Why Strike Plates and Door Frames Matter
Doors are often forced at the frame rather than the lock. See how strike plates, screw length, jambs and hinges decide how well an exterior door resists force.
Window Locks and Limiters: Simple Ways to Secure Windows
Compare sash latches, pin locks, keyed locks and opening limiters for different window types, plus the fire-exit rule that every bedroom window should keep.
Related topics
More in home security
Security Gates and Locks Gates, locks and alarms aimed at slowing unwanted entry. Fence Alarms and Lighting Alarms and lights built into a fence line. Home Security Overviews Big-picture guides on how fences and gates fit into home security. Security Features and Threats Features worth adding and common risks they address. What Fences Do for Security The roles a fence plays against burglary, trespass and everyday risk, and keeping it sound. Alarm Systems and Sensors How home alarm components work and how to use them sensibly.