How to Improve Your Screen Door Security for Better Peace of Mind

If you live in a hot region or simply love to let fresh air circulate through your home without inviting bugs, odds are your screen door is open a lot. While features like this provide a lot in terms of comfort, their relative vulnerability can feel like a deal breaker to many. After all, it’s hard to feel at ease when worrying about strangers just waltzing into your home. 

Instead of forgoing comfort in favor of keeping your property safe and sound, a handful of extra protective measures will allow you to have your screen door open and enjoy it, too. The following tips for screen door security will allow you to let the wind rush in without fear. 

1. Pick a Protective Screen Material

When browsing screen doors, opt for those with screens made from sturdy materials. While ideal for quick DIY repairs, vinyl is much easier to break through than screens made from stainless steel or aluminum. Coated polyester and fiberglass screens will also keep unwanted visitors at bay. Potential intruders will find it harder to follow through when their attempts to cut into tougher materials are met with resistance.

2. Choose a Solid Frame 

Look for a screen door with a frame made from a solid material to discourage trespassers further. Stainless steel is an ideal choice for exterior door frames because it’s weather-resistant and far more difficult to damage than one made of vinyl or wood—not to mention it has a longer lifespan. 

3. Invest in a Security Door

If you’re worried that a committed intruder won’t be deterred by a stronger-than-average screen door, consider installing a security door. This exterior feature is an additional door, usually made from metal, that is designed to be placed over a screen door to prevent anyone from easily reaching through without blocking out the breeze. 

But first, get to know what to look for when choosing a security screen door. If you live in an area that experiences frequent tropical storms, certain models are better designed to withstand such events and give your abode yet another added layer of security. If you decide to add this feature, hire a local security door installer to do the job right. 

4. Reinforce Door Locks

If you already have a screen door in place and would rather find ways to make it stronger than invest in a new one, reinforcing the locks is a great first step. You can do a project like this yourself by securing strike plates behind the hinges and deadbolt. Or outsource it to a to take the work off your plate. The cost to hire a locksmith ranges from $50 to $500 but is typically just $150 for tasks like this. 

5. Install a Ring Camera and Patio Lights to Discourage Trespassers

Intruders are far less likely to approach your home if there’s a high risk involved, and security add-ons like a doorbell camera or extra lighting will keep them away whether your screen door is in use or not. Place the camera just above the door where it will be visible so any unwanted visitors will notice it immediately. Similarly, opt for movement-sensitive patio lights so they’ll turn on the moment someone steps onto your porch. 

6. Limit Plant Life 

Bushes, shrubs, and the like are all ideal covert hiding spots for would-be intruders, especially when placed in close proximity to screen doors. Limit foliage in this area to small flowers and wall-climbing plants that could barely hide a bunny, much less a whole person. 

7. Surround Your Home

Putting as many obstacles to entry in the path of an intruder is the secret to keeping them away. Even if you’ve already reinforced your screen door with a security door, surrounding your property with a tall, gated fence will help secure basement windows and other vulnerable spots. If you can lock the gate, that’s even better—forcing the trespasser to climb over would draw significantly more attention and deter them from trying.

8. Equip Your Property with a Home Security System  

If you have the budget for it, installing a burglar alarm or something like it is among the most effective ways to protect your home. When it comes to which type of home security system to pick, there are a number of options, and all offer varying benefits. While many opt for a code-protected alarm, others prefer to use things like environmental sensors and video surveillance to guarantee safety. You can even choose a system that’s monitored by a home security company 24/7 for ultimate peace of mind. 

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Install a Security Door

Sure, you can install a ring camera and additional lighting by yourself. However, the backbone of enhanced screen door security, such as reinforced locks and frame and screen upgrades should be carried out by a licensed contractor with a trustworthy supplier.

Improper installation can nullify the purpose of having screen door security and sometimes cause further security issues. If working on an older screen door, the pro sometimes even needs to make adjustments to the existing frames and fixings.

When looking for a pro, check their credentials, experience, and reviews. Always contact at least three different companies so you can get the best deal.