Burglar proof Tempered Glass? (flooring, how much, roof, Home Depot)

[lenora]

I signed a contract but haven't actually met the contractor. The guy who gave me the quote and wrote up the contract is an employee. However,I still have several days in which I can change my mind and cancel the contract. I had the bank put a stop on the first check until I can get a handle on all of this.

Anyway, when the employee/salesman and I were discussing which type of door should replace an old one, I pointed out that although I wanted some light to enter the stairwell/basement entry way, I thought it would be best, to have a smallish window near the top of the door rather than where it is now...near the door lock. He disagreed and stated that tempered glass would prevent a burglar from breaking the glass to unlock the door. He told me the company could install a new door for $180.00. Presumably that includes the cost of the door itself. Obviously he's not referring to one of those super-duper burglar proof doors that I couldn't afford even if I wanted one.

I'm the type of person that hates to cause anyone trouble but I'm getting very nervous. The job includes replacing my wood front porch flooring, replace the column that supports the porch roof and fix any rotten wood beneath the flooring. I'm also having the brick steps repointed and the cracked front and side walks replaced with new cement. The total cost would (allegedly) be $27,000 but the company is discounting the cost to $19,999 in return for placing their sign out front in my yard. (I have a good location for that.)

Sorry for the long post but the tempered glass comment made me feel as if the "salesman" didn't know what he was talking about. OTOH, I'm sure the company knows I could destroy its reputation (in my community) with a few clicks of the keyboard... unless they see me as a vulnerable old lady. I hate this stuff.

I am trying to get a few quick estimates but so far I've been unsuccessful, (a breezy 24 degrees today). Am I unnecessarily nervous? Is the tempered glass near the door lock really o.k.?

[TrapperL]

Uh, no. This sounds like a scam artist at work. There is no burglar door for $180.00 and frankly, there's not really a good exterior door for $180.00. And that's door only, no jambs, no labor to install it are included. You can easily throw a thousand dollars at a decent jamb, decent door, and installation. That does not get you a burglar resistant door, just a strong solid core door installed in a reinforced opening. Depending on the swing and the surrounding area, you might look at a steel door over the exiting. You'd have 2 doors to open to get in. You can look at the different ones at Home Depot or Lowes to get an idea of what they are and how much money it would cost to purchase. You'd still need to reinforce the opening otherwise these doors can be easily pried open.

[rrtechno]

While it is true that tempered glass is stronger than standard (or annealed) glass, I would personally escort any salesman who claimed that tempered glass will "prevent a burglar from breaking the glass to unlock the door" immediately out said door. Tempered glass is NOT put in a door to make it burglar proof, but rather to protect people from serious injury if or when the glass breaks.Tempered glass breaks into small rounded pieces rather than sharp, jagged ones. Besides that, it is a code violation for a contractor to install an exterior door WITHOUT safety glass in any window in the door. It is your door. If you want a smaller glass that is farther away from the lock, do not let a contractor sell you otherwise. I'm not trying to frighten you, but even a smaller glass will not guarantee that someone cannot break the glass and reach to the lock. There are other measures that can make that more difficult, though.

Another thing that would concern me about this particular situation is the fact that they will cut over $7,000 off the cost of the project just for you to put that sign in the front yard. I know many companies do this for advertising, but it leads me to believe that they are overpriced to begin with to be willing to "spend" this much to advertise their services. I have worked with many contractors in my 38 years working in a retail building materials business. Most of the contractors, especially in the last 15 years, would post their "job sign" at the building site, but none ever gave the homeowner a discount on the job for doing it. They would all just ask if it would be OK, and the homeowner was usually confident enough in the contractor's abilities that they would happily agree.

Sorry to go on like this, but personally I feel you were smart to put this on hold and would suggest that you keep looking for a reputable contractor to do the work. I would cancel the contract ASAP.

[beachmouse]

If you want highly burglar-resistant (though not fully burglar-proof) what you want is laminated glass that's the main component of impact-rated windows and doors that they sell in hurricane-prone areas. Yes, you can break it eventually if you have the specialized tools for it, but for the typical smash and grab job, it takes long enough to get through that kind of glass that a thief will move on to a home that's an easier target.

[jacqueg]

You know who I'd ask? Your insurance agent. What kind(s) of doors does your insurer recommend? Go with that.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

How many estimates did you get for this job? You should have a minimum of three from different contractors for any job involving construction. I haven't seen your porch so I don't know if the estimate is high or not. Have you checked with the better business Bureau and the contractors licencing board to see if there are complaints against them? From way over here, they seem a little shady.

It's your door. You should be telling them what you want. They don't tell you.

Tempered glass breaks just fine. It's not made to not break, it is made to not break into sharp shards. So your burglar won't sue you for cutting himself as he breaks in.

[mapleguy]

You might want to consider Lexan. That is the see through material that surrounds hockey rinks. If it is strong enough to stop 100 mph slap shots by professional NHL players in a arena with an air temp of 40F... it will protect your home just fine. Its also used in NASCAR windscreens. It can be cut to size to fit any window opening, and it comes in many colours.


Or as an alternative.....glass with embedded wire mesh in it. Not as nice looking but tough to break through .


XXX.

[Crashj007]

Any salesman who represents to me that tempered glass is unbreakable is going to receive a quick lesson from a (former) EMT on how simple it is to break it. If you watch the police pounding on a car window to break in, it's because they don't have the right tool and lack the proper training. EMTs need quick access to an injured person.
The right tool is simple.
"And that's all I'm going to say about that"

And a big +1 on Lexan.
oregonwoodsmoke is exactly right.

[Barking Spider]

Door with glass or no glass, your house has windows right? A burgler will just bust out a window to get in if the door is tough to break.

[evening sun]

Tempered glass breaks. I have broken it myself, when I worked in a retail glass shop. The salesperson is ignorant. I would not use that company & $180 for supply & install sounds like shoddy work & cheap materials.