Tips on Bracing a Door From Outside From Thieves

Boarding Up

• Boarding up a door on the outside serves as perhaps the simplest form of thief-proofing, provided you don't need easy access to the door. Use 1/2-inch, four-ply, exterior-grade plywood braced with construction-grade 2-by-4s, all cut to the size of your specific door. Secure the plywood flush with the door trim using galvanized nails. Bolt three wooden braces in horizontal and equidistant fashion using 3/8-inch coarse-thread carriage bolts, construction-grade nuts and flat washers.

Padlocks and Chains

• Padlocks and chains can serve as outdoor barriers from thieves, and they're especially useful if you need to regularly access the door. If you choose to use this protection method, employ a 3/8-inch stainless-steel double-locking shackle, at the very least. Look for locks that feature brass keyways and five-pin tumblers. Always file key code numbers off the padlock to prevent thieves from fabricating a key. Use thick, welded-link chain made of hardened steel; and secure the chain with tamper-resistant round-head carriage bolts.

Other Outside Deterrents

• Aside from braces and barricades, ancillary measures used outside a facility can help ward off thieves. Install motion-triggered exterior lights; some thieves will scatter when light is cast. If there is a gate near the door, wrap barbed wire around the top. Post “no trespassing” signs or signs that signify alarm systems – even if there is no alarm system on the premises – for extra protection.

Alternatives

• Typically, bracing a door from the outside is not an ideal preventative measure against thieves. If possible, turn to internal locks and other forms of door security. Hardened steel deadbolt locks with strike plates serve as efficient security solutions, as do reinforced door frames, which bolster a door with hardened steel screws and shims. Used from the inside as a last resort, door stops and mortise bolts help prevent thieves from pushing a door inward. If possible, use a combination of security measures to prevent break-ins.