The front door is the most common break-in entry point. Most thieves access the house by twisting the doorknob and kicking the door open. An excellent door reinforcement kit should make your doors impenetrable and secure your belongings and family.
In this article, I’ll take you through the four best door reinforcement kits. I’ll also discuss what you should consider when buying a door reinforcement kit to get the best. Let’s get started!
Best Overall: Door Armor Max
Door Armor Max reinforcement kit is the true definition of a top-of-the-line product. It is made of 16-gauge galvanized steel and comes with a three-way locking system that makes it virtually impossible to pry open or kick in. The kit also has a five-inch deadbolt strike, adding to its strength.
With galvanized 16-gauge steel, you can rest assured that the kit is protected from corrosion. It’s worth noting that a corroded kit is weak because rust replaces the strong steel or iron atoms with flaky powder. Moreover, the oxides formed during the corrosion process weaken the bonds in the metal kit. Therefore, these processes should not worry you if you use a Door Armor Max reinforcement kit.
Finally, you can use this kit for the jamb, hinges, and door frame. You don’t have to buy a separate kit if you realize that it can’t fit the sole purpose you were going for. Thus, this is an excellent way to get great value for your money.
Bottom Line: I highly recommend the Door Armor Max reinforcement kit if you want a strong, durable, and versatile option. It will create an unbreakable barrier on your door that will secure your properties and family.
Pros
- Versatile: You can use this reinforcement kit for the jamb, door frame, and hinges. This means you can fix it anywhere to match your expected door aesthetics.
- Durable: With galvanized steel, you can rest assured that the kit is protected from corrosion. It will serve you for as long as you want.
- User-friendly: The kit comes with comprehensive and straightforward instructions. You don’t need to be a professional to install it. You only need a power drill to finish the work in under 30 minutes.
- Strong protection: The kit has a 16-gauge thick steel material creating a door barrier that is hard to break. Any intruder will struggle to break this material, increasing the chances of catching up with them or calling the police.
Cons
- It’s a bit pricey. The kit is not the cheapest on the market, but the quality features justify its cost. You can rest assured that your property and family are safe.
- The door might feel heavy after installation. Some people don’t like how their doors feel after installing this reinforcement kit. However, this feeling should fade with time as you get used to the new door.
- Requires assembly: The kit comes with its parts separated. You’ll find the door shield, jamb shield, and hinges separate, and it’s your responsibility to assemble them. This can be challenging if you don’t know which part goes where.
Best Versatile Door Reinforcement Kit: Defender Security 10546 Door Lock
You may have different doors in your house, some made from wood and others from metal. In this case, you need a door reinforcement kit that can fit either.
In the worst-case scenario, if you purchased a kit that doesn’t look nice on the metal door, the option will be to dispose of it or give it away. This is not the case with the Defender Security 10546 door lock.
The kit has an adjustable jamb shield that can fit any metal or wooden door. The U-shaped bracket will protect the door from being pried open, while the L-shaped bracket covers the strike plate area. Moreover, the kit comes with three different installation screws, which is a big plus.
The Defender Security 10546 door lock is one of the few kits with an adjustable jamb shield. This means you can use it on both wooden and metal doors depending on your anticipated indoor aesthetics.
Bottom Line: The Defender Security 10546 door lock is an excellent choice if you need a versatile and user-friendly option. It’s also one of the few kits with an adjustable jamb shield to fit different doors. I highly recommend it to people with wooden and metal doors.
Pros
- Highly versatile: The door lock kit has an adjustable jamb shield that makes it possible to use on either metal or wooden doors. Therefore, you can use the kit on any door where you think it fits your expected aesthetics.
- Durable: The kit is made from stamped stainless steel, a material known for its durability and ability to prevent corrosion.
- User-friendly: The kit has an easy-to-use instruction manual that shortens the installation process. Provided you know where each part fits, you’re good to go.
- Strong: The stamped stainless steel technology used in this kit makes it stronger and able to withstand high pressure. Thus, an intruder will find it challenging to access your house.
- Aesthetically appealing: The kit has an elegant design that makes it look like a new door installation.
Cons
- It’s expensive. The kit is among the costliest models by Defender. However, buying an expensive but durable and strong door reinforcement kit is worth it as you’re assured of safety.
- Challenging to install: The kit requires you to assemble the mounting hardware before proceeding with the installation. Therefore, you’ll have a hard time if you don’t know precisely where each hardware should fit. In the worst-case scenario, you can interchange the hardware, making it impossible to install the reinforcement kit.
Easy-to-Install Door Reinforcement Kit: Jamb Security Reinforcement
Repairing and reinforcing an exterior door with a reinforcement kit has never been easy without an experienced professional. The worst part is that wrong assembling forces you to start the process again.
The Jamb Security Door Reinforcement kit is your go-to option if you want to save some dollars by not hiring a professional for installation. This kit requires no nails and cutting off any door parts.
The kit is also designed to be strong and durable. Its 18-gauge thick design can resist any attempts to break in. The kit is also adjustable, allowing it to fit almost all types and sizes of doors. It’s also L-shaped to give more strength and protection against prying.
Finally, the kit is 40-inch long to cover an extensive distance. Therefore, it’s an excellent option if you want to repair and reinforce a damaged door. With such a long length, the kit can cover the damaged part and ensure it stays strong.
Bottom line: I recommend the Jamb Security Reinforcement door kit if you want an easy-to-install option that doesn’t require cutting and using nails.
Pros
- User-friendly: It’s easy to install this kit as it doesn’t involve cutting and nailing. Extensive measurements are also unnecessary for this kit.
- It’s long. You don’t have to worry about the kit covering the entire section of your damaged door. This kit is 40 inches long and can cover and reinforce any damaged door section.
- It’s strong. All Armor Concepts products have been police-tested for strength and the ability to withstand attempted break-ins. Buying this product gives you the confidence that your property is safe.
- 100% customer satisfaction: The manufacturer gives a refund or replacement if you’re unsatisfied with the delivered product.
Cons
- Extensive length: The kit can be too long for some doors, especially if you have a small door.
- It’s challenging to adjust. The kit is not adjustable once installed. Therefore, you must get the correct measurements before installation to avoid any mistakes.
- It works better with other Armor Concepts products. The kit fits perfectly when used with products like Door Armor. Therefore, it might require more measurements to fit with products from other manufacturers.
Best Affordable Door Replacement Kit: Defender Security 10827
You don’t have to break your bank account for a door reinforcement kit. If you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford the most expensive kits, go for the Defender Security 10827.
This door reinforcement kit can withstand more than 800 pounds of force. It’s a 3-inch stop that you can install on the door frame to make it sturdier. The stop is also adjustable, so you can get a snug fit on any door size.
The Defender Security 10827 is made of heavy-duty aluminum, making it one of the market’s most durable door reinforcement kits. It’s also easy to install as it comes with 3-inch hardened screws and an installation template.
The screws are also resistant to tampering, making it impossible for burglars to remove them. The kit is also designed to be unobtrusive, so it doesn’t affect the door’s aesthetics.
Bottom line: I highly recommend the Defender Security 10827 door reinforcement kit if you’re on a tight budget and want to save some bucks. Being affordable doesn’t mean this kit is low-quality. It’s made of heavy-duty aluminum and can resist up to 800 pounds of force.
Pros
- It’s affordable. The Defender Security 10827 is one of the most affordable door reinforcement kits on the market. You don’t have to spend much money to get a quality product.
- It comes with an installation template. The kit includes an installation template to make the installation process easier.
- It’s strong. The reinforcement kit is made from heavy-duty aluminum, making it stronger and more durable.
- Highly-resistant installation screws: The kit comes with screws resistant to tampering. This makes it hard for invaders to remove them.
Cons
- It’s not adjustable. Once installed, the stop is not adjustable. Thus, you must be careful with your measurements before installing it.
- You must be careful before purchasing. The kit has dimensional information that needs consideration before purchasing. It requires you to have accurate measurements of your door and compare them to the line art before purchasing.
Factors to Consider When Shopping
You must consider the following factors when on the market for a door reinforcement kit to get an option that will secure your home:
- Size of the kit: The size of the reinforcement kit must match your door. You should look at the kit’s size in relation to your door’s height, width, and thickness. A reinforcement kit that doesn’t mesh with your door’s size will not be as effective.
- Installation: You should consider the installation process when looking for a door reinforcement kit. Some kits are easier to install than others. Make sure you choose a kit you feel confident you can install without any issues.
- Material: You must consider the material from which the kit is made. The most common materials are steel and aluminum. Steel is more durable but also more expensive because of its high density. Aluminum is less expensive but not as durable as steel.
- DIY process: You want a reinforcement kit that’s not difficult to operate and install. The focus is to install the kit yourself without having to hire a professional.
- Number of screws: The lock should have at least three screws for security purposes.
- Force bearing: Door reinforcement kits can withstand different amounts of force. You should buy one that can withstand at least 400 pounds of force.
In Conclusion
After comparing size, force bearing, screws, and ease of installation, I found the Door Armor Max to be the best reinforcement kit. It’s simple to install and comes with 21 screws, making it stronger to withstand more force.
