Front Door Style in Austin (crime, house, live)

[llkltk]

What does everyone do in Austin regarding front doors? Thinking of changing ours out. Most people seem to have glass/wood front doors. Austin is a pretty safe city. Do you think that a solid wood door is safer? Any thoughts?

[Austin97]

solid wood is safer (as long as you dont have sidelights). We are in the process of changing our glass windowed doors to solid.

[centralaustinite]

Neighbors just took out their sidelights and replaced the wooden door with in a very tall door that is virtually all glass (frosted), OMG! Looks amazing!

They aren't worry about crime and we live central. Probably extra long screws and solid strikeplates are a better defense from kick-ins.

It is pretty hard to defend from professional kick-ins where they are in and out in less than 90 seconds. I know places where it happened (almost always during the day) and alarms and dogs didn't prevent it. Nosy neighbors who are quick to call 911 are the best defense. I know all my neighbors and a big contingent of us work from home -- glass in the door just means it is easier to see out and call in suspicious people!

[llkltk]

Are sidelights really that big of a deal? If the side light is not next to the door lock, it would be okay.

[centralaustinite]

Our neighbors took them out for aesthetics not safety! I have one right next to the door lock, I don't worry about it.

[RooCeleste]

And if you do have sidelights or glass in your door, have a keyed deadbolt put in. That prevents burglars from smashing the glass and reaching in to unlock the door.

[llkltk]

Thanks for the deadbolt suggestion. I had not thought of that!

[Trainwreck20]

And if you do have sidelights or glass in your door, have a keyed deadbolt put in. That prevents burglars from smashing the glass and reaching in to unlock the door.

Just remember not to lock the double-keyed deadbolt while you are inside, especially if you have kids. Exiting the house in a fire would be made much more difficult.

[RooCeleste]

Originally Posted by llkltk

Thanks for the deadbolt suggestion. I had not thought of that!

We also had super long screws and bigger kickplates installed...it's supposed to make the door more secure.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

Just remember not to lock the double-keyed deadbolt while you are inside, especially if you have kids. Exiting the house in a fire would be made much more difficult.

It does present a conundrum. We kept the key in the lock during the day and would hang the key nearby at night. Some codes don't allow for a double deadbolt(two cylinder) in an entry door; but the homeowner can do as she/he wishes, of course. If there is enough glass, the bad guys are coming in anyway...our job is to make it difficult. Heck, that window nearby is probably more inviting than a deadbolt front door anyway!