Security Doors (how much, house, scorpion)

[blisterpeanuts]

We need a security/screen door on the patio entrance, and I'm thinking about replacing the front security door, which was shoddily installed (backwards and crooked) by the previous occupants. What should I reasonably expect to spend? Are insect screens commonly supplied with security doors? The internet ads I've seen never mention them.

I've seen $700 doors on the internet, and Home Depot has $74 doors, plus installation costs. I wonder how much difference there really is; I just want something that will help keep out intruders and allow a breeze at night.

Thanks for any advice!

[amatrine]

You can get a good one at home depot with all the trimmings for $250.

Ama

[Master Shake]

The benefits of a good security door are partly in the overall construction and partly in the installation. The $75 doors are sometimes easily bypassed, since they usually do not lock both sides of the door (left & right sides), or sometimes even have the hinges on the outside (accessible). Make sure you have a good door installed properly.

Also, most security doors are decorative and do not include bug screens.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by blisterpeanuts

We need a security/screen door on the patio entrance, and I'm thinking about replacing the front security door, which was shoddily installed (backwards and crooked) by the previous occupants. What should I reasonably expect to spend? Are insect screens commonly supplied with security doors? The internet ads I've seen never mention them.

I've seen $700 doors on the internet, and Home Depot has $74 doors, plus installation costs. I wonder how much difference there really is; I just want something that will help keep out intruders and allow a breeze at night.

Thanks for any advice!

You can spend a lot. My neighbor put one in for $1200 installed. Mine cost me about $100 DIY. His was custom fit to the jamb while mine off the rack does not fit perfectly and has a scorpion gap at the top(LOL).

The cheaper ones typically have a metal screen with small holes in it welded to the bars and some decorative trim tack welded. The more expensive ones have a finer mesh screen and better trim - like quails or some such. I have the cheap one. My issue with the cheap one is that during the day people can't see in (maybe that is good) and at night you can't see who is standing at your door (not good). I really have a hard time seeing what you get for the more expensive ones that justifies the cost. As amatrine says, there are some mid-range ones at HD and Lowes and maybe that is the best choice of looks versus pure function.

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

You can spend a lot. My neighbor put one in for $1200 installed. Mine cost me about $100 DIY. His was custom fit to the jamb while mine off the rack does not fit perfectly and has a scorpion gap at the top(LOL).

The cheaper ones typically have a metal screen with small holes in it welded to the bars and some decorative trim tack welded. The more expensive ones have a finer mesh screen and better trim - like quails or some such. I have the cheap one. My issue with the cheap one is that during the day people can't see in (maybe that is good) and at night you can't see who is standing at your door (not good). I really have a hard time seeing what you get for the more expensive ones that justifies the cost. As amatrine says, there are some mid-range ones at HD and Lowes and maybe that is the best choice of looks versus pure function.

I agree with your thoughts about cheap vs expensive. There is a definite quality with the expensive doors and I really like them. I don't have a security door on our current home, but want one. I don't want a cheapie, but I also don't care to spend hundreds.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Is there a big market in the valley for security doors?

[Garson]

Yes there is a big market for security doors. The media gets everyone scared to death of home invasions even though they are very rare and often after an investigation proven to not be "random" at all - a fact rarely ever reported as a follow up. Usually connected to drugs or some other illegal activity connected to the supposed victims.

[Synergy38]

What is the point of security doors exactly?

Is it just basically a secure screen door if you want your front door open to let in fresh air?

I don't know what these are at all so pardon my ignorance..

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Synergy38

What is the point of security doors exactly?

Is it just basically a secure screen door if you want your front door open to let in fresh air?

I don't know what these are at all so pardon my ignorance..

Functionally, yes, it does let in air. But it has a metal frame around it that bolts to the door jamb and the door itself opens outward. The door has a deadbolt encased in steel.

It is very easy to kick in an entry lockset. It is very hard to kick in a security door. So it is quite safe to leave the regular door open when air is desired and it also makes it much harder to simply kick in the front door to gain access to the house when the regular door is closed. It is not Fort Knox, but it is a big improvement over a standard screen door and a standard entry door.

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by Synergy38

Is it just basically a secure screen door if you want your front door open to let in fresh air?

Yep! They are very nice to have during the "really nice weather time of the year."