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Best Door Reinforcement Locks

Corey Majeau

Most break-ins happen through ground level entries since they are easy to access unless you have added reinforcements. Hinges, locks, and the strike plates where the locks ‘catch’ on the frame are the most vulnerable parts. The first thing everyone should do is replace the tiny half-inch screws with something stronger like 3-inch screws.

To be extra safe there are additional barriers you can buy like crossbars or flip-over locks that you see in hotel rooms. There are various reinforcement locks you can add to your door set up that won’t make your home look or feel like Fort Knox but will make you feel just as safe.

1. The EverPlus Home Security Door Lock – Editor's Choice

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  • Dimensions: 1 x 2.43 x 3 inches
  • Weight: 0.3lb

2. Buddybar Door Jammer

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  • Dimensions: 4 x 2 x 36 inches
  • Weight: 7.98 pounds

3. NightLock Security Barricade

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  • Dimensions: 9.5 x 3.62 x 3.25 inches
  • Weight: 1.7 pounds

4. ADDALOCK

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  • Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 3.5 x 0.7 inches
  • Weight: 4.2 ounces

5. Cranach Swing Lock Security Door Lock

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  • Dimensions: 3.8 x 2.5 x 0.9 Inch
  • Weight: 4.4 oz

6. Nightlock Residential Door Lock

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  • Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 2.25
  • Weight:1.25 pounds

Best Door Reinforcement Locks

1. The EverPlus Home Security Door Lock – Editor's Choice

Highlights

  • Dimensions: 1 x 2.43 x 3 inches
  • Weight: 0.3lb

Pros

  • Easy installation instructions
  • Quick to install
  • Childproof
  • Powerful
  • Slim look

Cons

  • Power drill required for installation

The EverPlus home security door lock is easy to assembly and blends seamlessly into your door’s silhouette. You will need a drill, ⅛” drill bit, a screwdriver, and takes only 4 minutes to install. The lock will work on both an inward and outward opening door.

The EverPlus Security Door Lock is designed to withstand 800 pounds of force which is 12 times stronger than a normal deadbolt. It also acts as a child safety feature that prevents small children from opening the door to strangers.  It has a spring-loaded design that is very simple to use. You pinch the lock with your finger and thumb and pull towards you and the lock will open. If you need to open the door quickly this design won’t slow you down.

2. Buddybar Door Jammer

Highlights

  • Dimensions: 4 x 2 x 36 inches
  • Weight: 7.98 pounds

Pros

  • Sturdy
  • Easy to install
  • Mobile
  • Quality Construction

Cons

  • Not a budget buy
  • Heavy
  • Can damage low-quality doors

The Buddy Bar Door Jammer is a popular door jammer that you can move from room to room which provides additional security by reinforcing doors from intruders. The Buddybar is easy to set up and doesn’t require any tools.  It features quality construction and is made with powder-coated steel.

The 16-gauge bar weighs 8.2 pounds and extends from 36 inches to 51 inches. Its 2-by-4-inch foot is rubber-coated steel that will grip solidly to the floor from wood, concrete, tile, or carpet. The Buddybar is the heftiest home security bar you can buy and withstands over 2,500 pounds of force. What makes it even more useful is how easy it is to install, remove and change doors.  This is added security if you move to a new home, apartment, dorm room, office or even a hotel room.

3. NightLock Security Barricade

Highlights

  • Dimensions: 9.5 x 3.62 x 3.25 inches
  • Weight: 1.7 pounds

Pros

  • Good for hard floors
  • Available in multiple finishes
  • Easy to install

Cons

  • Semi-permanent
  • Does not fit low clearing doors

The Nightlock Door Barricade is like having a vertical doorstop at the base of your door. It’s constructed out of solid aluminum and can withstand tremendous force. It requires the installation and can be used most easily on wooden floors but there are special screws for other types of flooring such as tile. Just secure the brace to the floor and then the locking mechanism slides into place.  The Night Lock Security Barricade is as strong as a jam bar but is a much more elegant solution.

4. ADDALOCK

Highlights

  • Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 3.5 x 0.7 inches
  • Weight: 4.2 ounces

Pros

  • Great for AirBnB
  • Easy to assemble
  • Quick to remove
  • Portable

Cons

  • Does not work on keyless locks

The Addalock is a portable door lock that has a versatile design so you can use it on almost any inward-swinging door with a hinge. It can be easily installed and removed in seconds by simply sliding it into position on the strike plate and then closing the door. You now have provided yourself added security. The Addalock is ideal for travel and perfect for that next Air BnB you check into.

This lock can be used on your hotel/motel or rental unit or for students away at college. It is durably constructed from chrome-plated carbon steel and together with its unique shape makes it adjustable to almost any door thickness. Each Addalock comes with a travel pouch. You can also test it to ensure it will work before you fully install it.

5. Cranach Swing Lock Security Door Lock

Highlights

  • Dimensions: 3.8 x 2.5 x 0.9 Inch
  • Weight: 4.4 oz

Pros

  • Toddler Proof
  • Nice design
  • Solid construction

Cons

  • Installation complaints

This swing bar door lock secures swing-in doors, allowing people inside the room to open the door just a few inches for identification but still provides privacy and security for guests and residents. By placing the swing bar door lock high enough it makes it impossible for children to reach it and get the door open. The latches are constructed from a premium solid aluminum alloy that will be a lovely compliment to your home decor. The latches are durably constructed and the latch can resist up to 600 pounds of force.

6. Nightlock Residential Door Lock

Highlights

  • Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 2.25
  • Weight:1.25 pounds

Pros

  • Strong
  • Stylish
  • Simple
  • Well reviewed
  • Withstands 1100 pounds of force

Cons

  • Difficult to install especially on materials other than wood

This lock is made of strong, solid Aluminum and is brushed for a stylish finish.  The Nightlock Barricade gets anchored securely to the floor where it anchors its strength and can withstand 1100 lbs of force!  Oftentimes a burglar will break an entryway window on a door and reach into the handle to gain entrance.  However, since this lock is on the floor it would be impossible for the intruder to reach it.  This lock is extremely well-reviewed with 83% five-star reviews.  It is easy to install on wood floors but becomes more difficult with other construction.

You may want to read: Best Reinforcement Locks

Before purchasing here are a few things to check out:

  • Size: A standard door is between 30-36 inches wide and usually 80 inches tall. But don’t take those measurements for granted before you buy your additional reinforcement lock, make sure you measure your door’s thickness, height and width.
  • Location: Look at where in your door you plan to install the reinforcement. Be certain that it will fit on your door otherwise try a different type of extra security lock. Some security equipment only works on hinged doors others work on sliding doors and some work on both. Read the fine print!
  • Installation: Most mounted door security options are more sturdy but depending on the option you purchase, it may require professional installation or power tools.

Here are some of the more common types of added security door locks.  This way you can find the type that works best for your situation.

  • Door Lock Reinforcers: A door lock reinforcer is installed around your door’s current lock to add security against breaking that lock during a forced entry. Most of these locks are easy to install as they just lock into place around your current lock. Door lock reinforcers do not always work with smart locks or horizontal locks, so before purchasing make sure the door lock reinforcer will be compatible with your current lock.
  • Door Security Bars or Jammers: Probably the least aesthetically pleasing of your options, a door security bar is either pressure mounted or hardware mounted placed across the center of the door to prevent break-ins.

Last Words

Have you ever thought about your keys and how many other people might have copies of them? Maybe at some point, you gave them to a house sitter, a handyman, or a housekeeper.  If you are in an apartment, a dorm room or a hotel there may be countless people that have access to your living space.

The very first protective measure you will want to take is to make sure that the pieces of your door are secure.  In most cases, your door has a closing latch on your doorknob and the deadbolt lock.  They only go an inch or less into the door frame.  Then there is a metal plate on your door frame that the lock goes into.  Usually, that metal plate is attached to the door frame with 3/4 inch screws.   Make sure the metal plate is secure and all of the screws are tight.

Using added door security makes sure that when you are home, that you have control of who is coming into your space — even if they have a key.  This type of added security is incredibly useful if you are looking for privacy.  You can choose from different types of door security mechanisms that suit your style or needs.

Even if you are using added security, make sure your door lock is in good shape and you keep your door locked at all times.