How HGTV's Mike Holmes Secures A Front Door For A Safer Home

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One of the most critical but often overlooked aspects of home safety is the front door. According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, roughly 34% of burglars gain entry through the front door. Another 23% of cases account for those gaining entry via the first-floor windows, while 22% come through the back door. Only less than 10% enter through the garage, basement, and other hidden points of entry. Also, contrary to popular belief and how movies and shows typically portray criminals executing complex schemes at night, burglary incidents often take place in daylight — between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. — when homes are likely to be empty. As such, improving front door security should never be taken for granted.

For HGTV's Mike Holmes, best known for his expertise in home construction and renovation, securing the front door is non-negotiable. Homeowners should take proactive steps to ensure the security of their front door by choosing the right hardware to go with it. Revealing the must-have security features of the front door, Holmes wrote on his Make It Right blog: "Every front door needs a few things to keep it safe and secure. I like a multi-lock system with a good deadbolt and extra security both above and below the bolt. Your door should also have a strike plate (a metal plate that affixes to the doorjamb) to help make it more secure against break-ins."

Aside from the traditional lock and security hardware, the "Holmes and Holmes" star also promotes the use of smart locks. Smart locks are electronic door devices that lock and unlock doors using advanced methods, like a keypad, smartphone app, fingerprint scanner, or voice command. Despite their sophisticated technology, they can still be considered a simple front door lock upgrade for a safer home since many models are easy to install. Moreover, smart locks make it possible for households with multiple members or users to gain entry to their homes without having to come up with and carry around lock duplicates. Their security systems can be configured to accommodate all active users. They can also be updated if homeowners no longer want to give access to certain users.

"I'm a huge advocate for smart locks. They allow you to give other people access to your home on a temporary basis without having to pass around any extra keys. Once their task is complete, you can take away their front door access," Holmes wrote on his blog. He also stressed that homeowners should not be worried about hackers as long as their smart lock is properly installed. For DIYers, this means following the instructions in the literature for their smart locks during installation. For security technician-installed smart locks, homeowners can expect their front door to be secure against burglars and thieves considering the price they pay for the professional service.

To secure your front door the way the television personality recommends, start with a multi-layered locking system. While a single deadbolt may deter casual intruders, Holmes – who has also shed light on the popular front door choice homeowners should avoid – suggests adding extra locks above and below the main deadbolt for increased resistance whenever someone tries to break in. High-quality deadbolts and strike plates are part of Holmes' formula for a safer home, so follow this combination as much as possible to elevate your front door's security. Not only will this strengthen your front door against forced entry, it can also help it withstand severe weather.

In his blog post, Holmes also pointed out the importance of the placement of hinges because he believes doors that swing inward are the best option for the front door. When the door swings into the home, the hinges are tucked hidden inside, making them harder to tamper with from the outside. You can combine this setup with the traditional security hardware, or you can opt for more advanced protection by investing in smart locks. There are many options available on Amazon, such as the ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro WiFi Smart Lock with Door Sensor and the Schlage Encode Smart Wifi Deadbolt Lock. By implementing Holmes' advice, you can bolster your front door and better protect your family and property from uninvited threats no matter what time of the day.