How to Secure an Outside Swinging Door

Doors that swing to the outside when opened are less secure because the hinges are also on the outside of the door. A determined burglar can remove the hinges to bypass the door, if he has the right tools. Make it a priority to secure these doors so the hinges are not so easily compromised. Securing outside-swinging doors requires some specialized door equipment, but the results offer you increased safety and piece of mind.

Set screw
Drill
Crimped hinge pins
Wrench or vise
Chain latch

Instructions

- 1
  Use a set screw in the middle of the hinge. This pin goes into the hinge and through the hinge pin so the pin can't be pulled out and the screw isn't accessible when the door is closed. Security hinge sets come with a hole predrilled for this purpose or you can drill your own hole for a screw to fit into.
- 2
  Slide crimped hinge pins into the hinge to make the pin harder to remove. The pins are longer than the hinge plates and the ends get crimped with a wrench or vice after insertion so they can't be pulled out. This makes replacing the door more difficult but the door will be more secure.
- 3
  Add a chain latch to the inside of the door. The hinges are not the only vulnerability in the door and the chain helps prevent the door from being pulled open. Drill the chain holder into the door frame and the slide bracket on the door. The chain connects the two and makes the door tougher to bypass.

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