Security on French Doors

I want to make our new (used) home more secure.

The house has French doors, with side pocket doors.

The French doors have a deadbolt and a locking handle, but the side doors just have small "turns" that keep the side doors from falling open.

A locksmith suggests installing Schlage B560 deadbolts on the side doors, at a total cost of $200.

Is this really needed?

Isn't there a cheaper, simpler way to to secure the doors? Maybe a security bar, the wall attachments of which would be hidden by a curtain when we have company, and the bar is removed?

The French doors and side doors all have double pane safety tempered glass.

The doors are in the back of the house, where they cannot be seen by neighbors.

Thanks for any help.

Mac

 

Got a picture?
I'm not a big fan of security bars, not a good thing when there's a fire.

 

Here are the photos.

Thanks.

 

Your doors are all glass, if an intruder wants in he will get in. That said, the object is to slow them down or have to make a lot of noise in the process. Short of installing lock sets as previously suggested, I think that we can treat this like you would a window lock. The turn handles you currently have is the right idea. They make these style closures that are also keyed. It becomes DIY in that they are surface mounted and no holes need to be drilled. It will also serve to slow down someone trying to gain entrance.

 

I like these closures (is that the name I would use in the hardware store to find them?).

How are they mounted, if no holes are drilled?

Thanks.

Mac

 

If the side doors are the only real concern (and I'm not sure why they are) then the deadbolts are the best option if they are just an inside thumb turn type. That's what is commonly installed in similar doors that I've seen.

If what I found searching is what he recommends...I would keep looking for another option. No reason to have a hole bored all the way through with a key outside.

I'm sure they make deadbolts that are just inset in to the door with no penetration to the outside.

 

Ahhh...I found a Schlage B80 which would be what I was describing....Schlage B80 and B81 Deadbolts

It will require a large Forstner bit to avoid a hole on the outside. Not something every 'smith would have or want to do I imagine.

 

I have to disagree with czizzi. Those are fine for DH windows where it's harder to apply the right force to defeat them, but with a door, a kick or hard shoulder hit would pop the screws right out or break the latch. Unless someone was home at the time, it wouldn't even be noticed by neighbors.

If you are only concerned about security when you sleep...then what you have now would do just as well.

 

I am not that concerned about a security bar on the french doors, since there are 3 other ways to get out of the house (slider, front door, inside garage door).

The bar would be mainly for when we are gone on vacation, or at work.

Ideally, it would be a security door bar that could - not - be simply lifted and removed by someone who sticks their hand in a broken window. I don't see any like that on the web.

It seems like any kind of simple turn or deadbolt with an inside turn on the french side doors has the same problem as the current turns. If someone really wants to take the time to break that glass, they can reach inside and turn the turn and open the side door. Same for the main french doors. A keyed inside deadbolt is illegal here.

Mac

 

A properly applied shoulder would break out any solution be it deadbolt or not. There is not enough wood to secure. A traditional deadbolt is secured into the framing of the house. I was thinking more along the lines of piece of mind. From the outside the side doors look like sidelites instead of doors, you can not see the hinges. Any entry attempt would be made at the handles in the center of the door. Unless of course, someone had inside information on the doors design. Just thought a surface mount would do less damage if entry is attempted.

If the side doors really serve no purpose (only OP can answer that) then to secure, I would drive longer screws through the hinges of the french center doors and into the frame of the side doors. It would be about as secure as it gets and "shoulder" proof as well.

 

Czizzi...I agree with all you said.

The operating sidelights (what we called them) don't have much purpose unless there are screens installed...which I can't see. Unfortunately they are big enough to easily allow entry if kicked in. If they don't get used for ventilation, I'd screw them shut permanently as well.

I don't know any way to put a bar on that is both easy to install and remove by the homeowner that couldn't easily be removed if the glass were broken out. And also nothing unobtrusive that would be strong enough if surface mounted on the inside. And anything strong enough would require big lags in to studs and frame.

 

Install window film to the inside glass to prevent the window from being smashed. Install either standard ERA door/window security bolts that are locked/unlocked with a standard spline key (looks like a philips screwdiver) or surface mounted keyed patio bolts. There are a few manufacturers and they cost about $15-$20 each.

ERA bolts usually cost about $12 each and come in a pair with one key.

Secure other doors how you see fit. You can also install window film to the main doors too, to prevent the glass from being smashed.

 

If low cost & DYI are most important, there are several brands of small, inexpensive, surface-mounted slide bolts that can be locked in the secured position with a small key, but don't expect good looks; they are usually only avail. in brass plated or chrome plated finishes. Don't remember seeing these at the big box, but your local smithy can show you several choices. Just be sure and discard the typically short screws that come with them, and substitute longer ones for better kick-in resistance.

I'd put one near the top and another near the bottom of each side door (assuming you don't open these very often, if at all). As to the main door, you can substitute the thumbturn deadbolt with a double-cylinder type, just know that in some jurisdictions they are against code, and carry a greater or lesser life-safety risk, depending on your particular usage habits.