Your home should be a safe haven, so if you’re looking for extra peace of mind, you may consider learning how to install a security door. These doors come with added reinforcements, making them more difficult to break into during a burglary attempt. But before you start taking your front door off its hinges, find out how to install a security door, from selecting the right door for you to fitting it inside the door frame.
How to Install a Security Door in 6 Steps
Boost your home’s security with a reinforced door in about an hour
Photo: Frank / Adobe Stock
Photo: Frank / Adobe Stock
Written by C.E. Larusso
Contributing Writer
Updated October 29, 2024
Difficulty
Simple
Saturday skill builder.
Time to complete
1 hour
Cost
$500–$1,000
You’ll spend a lot on supplies, but you may still save money by DIYing.
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
- Measuring tape
- Level
- Power drill
- Screw driver
- One-way screw driver
- Safety goggles
- Wood blocks (optional)
SUPPLIES
- Security door kit
- One-way screws
- Nuts
- Washers
Measure the Doorway
Before heading to the home improvement store, you should know what door model and size to purchase, so make sure to measure the doorway and note the width and height for the new door. Most security doors measure 28 to 36 inches wide and 80 inches tall.
Once you install one-way, irreversible screws to attach the security door to your home, it will be nearly impossible to make any readjustments.
With that in mind, do your due diligence during the prep stages, including measuring the doorway and making any repairs, before you start the installation process.
Buy the Materials
Before you learn how to install a security door, you’ll need to have the security door and its corresponding parts ready to go. Most doors will include all of the necessary hardware, like hinges and other mounting supplies, in the door kit.
Make Any Necessary Repairs
If you want your security door to do its job, it needs a solid, sturdy base. If you notice any damage or weak points in the door frame as you prepare to install the security door, make sure to repair the door frame before hanging a new door.
Find the Door Placement
You’ll want to grab a friend or neighbor to hold the door steady for this step. If you’re on your own, you can cut a few wood blocks until they are the right height to hold the door in place against the doorway. Position the door where you want it to sit, and ensure the security door handles are on the same side as the existing front door.
Pre-Drill Holes Into the Doorway
With the door held steady in place by an extra set of hands or some wood blocks, you can use a power drill and drill bit to pre-drill holes into the doorway, where you will later screw the security door into place.
Don’t drill the screws in yet, since the one-way screws that come with security doors are difficult to remove. Check that the holes are in the right place and the door is level before actually screwing them into place.
Add the Door Hardware
Next, screw the door hinges into the door frame, and align them with the pre-drilled holes in the doorway for easy installation. If you haven’t installed the door knob and lock, you can use a screwdriver to add those elements during this step or after screwing the door into place.
Install the One-Way Screws
Once you are certain the door is level and in the right location, you can start screwing it into place. The security door will come with one-way, irreversible screws that go through the door frame’s hinge holes and the wall of the house. On your home’s interior, you’ll secure the screws in with their accompanying nuts and washers.
While the one-way screws mean DIY errors can become a nightmare for homeowners, they make it much more difficult for someone to break down the door, making it a worthwhile way to keep your home safe.
Screw in the Jambs
The header or head jamb will go at the top of the doorway. It may already have pre-drilled holes, but if not, you can use the drill to make holes where you’ll screw the jamb into the door frame. The side jambs will go on either side of the door. Once the jambs are aligned, use one-way screws to secure it to the door frame.
Attach the Expander
Finally, you’ll add the expander at the base of the door. Open the security door, then position the expander on the bottom of the inside of the door. Make sure it has enough room to open without catching on the floor, and then screw it into place. Open and shut the door a few times to test that it is evenly aligned, then sit back and enjoy the added protection to your home.
Installing a Security Door Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro
Installing a security door yourself is a straightforward process. The tricky part, though, is working with one-way screws. While these screws are crucial for making the door more secure, they do not allow wiggle room for errors, which are more likely if you DIY the installation.
If you’re worried about working with permanent screws, don’t have the time to install a new door, or want to ensure your door is properly installed for maximum security, you can hire a professional security door installer near you.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Security Door?
You’ll spend about $275 to $425 to hire a pro, plus the cost of the door kit, and you can be assured of proper installation with no danger of an improperly hung security door. If you’re confident in your handy skills and have time on your hands, you can DIY this project to save on labor, and it will only cost the price of the door kit—about $600 to $4,600.
For additional safety, you may want to consider installing a home security system, which costs an average of $700. There are different types of security systems available to match your price range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Barrier doors or screen doors are ideal for bringing in summer breezes without letting in pesky flies and mosquitoes. But these types of doors aren’t as secure as a security door, which is installed with permanent screws into the home’s walls and often have deadbolts or other heavy-duty lock mechanisms for better security.
Most exterior doors swing inward for better security. But a security door will swing outward. What makes it so secure are the one-way screws that go through the door, the door frame or house wall, and into the home. Make sure to align your door so it swings outward, with the door handle aligned with the existing door’s handle.
A security door costs an average of $1,400, but costs can range from $600 for a simple screen or steel door to more than $4,600 for a wrought-iron security door. You can also buy specialized locks separately for $200 to $600. If you decide to hire a pro to install your new security door, you’ll spend around $275 to $425 on labor costs.
Instead of a security door, you might opt for a heavy-duty screen door made from durable mesh, which allows better sunlight and airflow. Additionally, you could enhance security by installing strong locks on your existing door. A double-cylinder deadbolt provides robust security; however, be aware that some local laws prohibit them due to safety concerns during emergencies.
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