I'm pissed- attempted break in at my house
4fortydemon said
I'm 15 miles from home at my shop, my wife and 3 kids leave for school related things today. I get a call from the police in my town informing me that 3 hispanics (yeah- I know- it could be anyone ) tried to break in with a baseball bat to my back door. Fortunately, I have an old 1926 home with solid wood doors- but the door is wasted- It held but it was ready to go in a couple more hits. The neighbor kid saw the strange vehicle in front of my house (IN BROAD DAYLIGHT NO LESS!!) and heard this banging- he yelled at them and they too off. I then am told that another attempted break in was done not long after me in the same area. Unfortunately, they weren't apprehended. I have to replace the door now - am VERY thankful that that's ALL that I have to. I figure that it's time to move.
I live in a 80% hispanic town. Alot of gang activity and big drug busts. NO, I don't hate them anymore than I hate white black yellow green or what ever if you F with my stuff. I know- I'm pissed and ranting....
Very lucky that they didn't try it when I was home- I would have alot of cleanup to do from my Glock.
Thanks for letting me rant!
I sell doors for a living (no I'm not trying to make a sale), but Actually you want a commercial grade "vertically stiffened" 16 guage steel door in a 16 gauge steel door frame that wraps around the exterior wall of your home.
Look for a door build By Ceco Door Company or by Steelcraft, or Amweld or Mesker. You can get them in 6 panel or other designs, and you can even get them to look like wood.
Further, use commercial (grade 2) locks. Use a lockable entry lockset, and a deadlock with a hardened bolt with a minimum of 1" throw.
Do not use Kwickset locks. Buy a quality lockset from Schlage or Sargent, and use "pinned" hinges. They have a security pin that engages when the door is closed.
You can find suppliers for this materials locally. Look in your yellow pages under "Doors", and make it known when you are contacting these people that you're looking for commercial grade materials, not residential stuff.
Commercial door materials is not sold like residential materials, either. You have to by the frame, and the door (separately), the locks, the hinges, threshold, weatherstrip, all separately. The door will run approximately $300-$350.00. The frame about $135.00, Hinges 4.5" x 4.5" Ball Bearing Pinned security hinges will be about $12.00 each. Commercial Grade 2 locksets will vary, and you might actually be able to get a better deal on line for them.
To buy a commercial door, you will need to know how thick the wall is, what the door size is (usually residential front doors are 3068 (meaning 3'0"x6'8" (36"x80") nominal measurement. You will also need to know what "hand" the door is (Left hand or Right hand). If you're standing inside your house looking at your door, (door swings in toward you to open) Hinges on the left, door knob on the right = Right hand.
Hinges on the right, door knob on the left = Left hand.
I you decide to upgrade to Commercial grade doors and hardware, PM me with any questions. Also, let me know how much you're paying for materials. I might be able to get some better pricing from one of my suppliers.
