4 Best Door Jamb Reinforcement Kits
Many people are surprised to learn that one of the most vulnerable parts of their home for burglars, thieves, and home invaders is the front door. Homeowners place their trust in deadbolts and jamb locks. These homeowners fail to consider the flimsy construction of most door jambs and frames. This vulnerability is why we are looking at the best door jamb reinforcement kits
After extensive research, we’ve come to the conclusion that the following products are the best door jamb reinforcement kits:
- Door Armor MAX
- Door Armor Mini
- Defender Security U 10385 Prime Line
- Security Door Hinges
| Manufacturer and Model | Areas Protected | Reinforcement Material | Why do You Need This Product? |
| Door Armor MAX – Complete Door Reinforcement Set for Jamb, Frame, Strike Plate | Door Jamb, Door Frame, Strike Plate, Door Hinges | 16 gauge galvanized steel | A complete kit that protects all the vulnerable parts of a door |
| Door Armor Mini – Door Security Reinforcement Kit for Jamb, Frame, Strike Plate | Door Jamb, Door Frame, Strike Plate | High-Grade Steel | The locksets in most exterior doors are the most vulnerable part to being forced |
| Defender Security U 10385 Prime Line Door Strike, | Strike Plate | Steel | Protects the door and door locks from being forced by splintering the jamb and frame |
| Security Door Hinges – Satin Nickel – 4 Inch with 5/8 Radius – Security Tab – 3 Pack | Hinges | Steel | Security hinges keep the door from sliding out of the door pocket even if the hinge pin is removed |
Every homeowner should be concerned about burglars, thieves, and home invaders. Understanding how to reinforce the doors of your home can provide greater security and more peace of mind. Protecting your family is the most important issue you face. Helping you find the best way to provide this protection is the focus of this article.
Door Armor specializes in building add-on door reinforcement kits. The Door Armor Max is a complete kit to reinforce the most vulnerable parts of an exterior door.
The kit is complete with all the necessary hardware and fasteners. Only the highest quality materials go into the construction of these kits.
What Does This Kit Protect?
The Door Armor Max protects the most vulnerable parts of an exterior door. Each Door Armor Max kit contains:
- One 46 inch door jamb shield. – The door jamb shield reinforces the area of the door jamb and frame into which the deadbolt and door lock engage. This heavy-duty metal L-shaped fits over your existing door jamb and screws deeply into the underlying framing material of the door opening. The jamb reinforcement is pre-drilled and has cut-outs for standard door lock placements.
- Two Metal Door Lock Shields – The kit includes two metal door lock shields to strengthen the edge area of the door around your door locks. These metal reinforcement plates fit on the edge of the door and only approximately .25 inches is visible with the door closed. Installing these door lock shields helps prevent the door from splintering where the deadbolt and jamb lock exit from the edge of the door.
- Two 12 Inch Hinge Shields – Hinges are almost as easy to destroy as door locks and deadbolts. Many exterior door hinges are attached using relatively short screws that pose no problem for burglars or thieves. Reinforcing the hinges of your door prevents this kind of intrusion.
How Hard is this Kit to Install?
Installation of the Door Armor Max kit is well within the scope of most homeowners. The kit includes:
- All the parts, hardware, screws needed to complete the installation. Nothing else to buy.
- Complete instructions
- Links to “How to Install” videos on the company website
You will need to provide:
- Screwdrivers
- A power drill
One great thing about the Door Armor Max kit is there is no need to remove the door from the door frame to install this kit. You can do the installation with the door in place.
Why We Like This Door Reinforcement Kit
It is complete. If you want to reinforce your exterior door against intruders, this kit provides a total answer. The parts included protect the three most vulnerable areas of most exterior doors. This kit makes our list because:
- Full 46-inch door jamb shield reinforces and strengthens the door frame against forceful entry
- Two-door lock reinforcement plates help prevent doors from splintering and shattering when someone tries to force the door
- Hinge reinforcement plates cover and protect door hinges from being pried or forced away from the door frame
Anyone interested in forcing their way into your home knows that the weakest point of the door is the locks. One well-placed kick close to the lock mechanisms will shatter the door frame and jamb in many instances. Reinforcing these areas is imperative if you want to reinforce your exterior doors.
What does this Kit Include?
The Door Armor Mini Door Security reinforcement kit includes everything you need to reinforce the door jamb, door frame, and door locks on your home’s exterior doors.
- One 46-inch heavy-gauge steel door jamb shield. – The shield reinforces and protects your door jamb and door frame. The shield can prevent intruders from forcing the deadbolts and door locks out of the wooden door frames and jambs. The Door Armor Mini Jamb reinforcement is pre-drilled for installation. Existing door locks engage the pre-cut bolt openings located on the customary locations for door lock installations.
- Two four-inch door shields – These door shields fit over your existing locks on the edge of your exterior door. The door shields extend around the edge of the door one-quarter inch on both sides. When installed, the door shields prevent your exterior door from splintering or shattering and allowing unwanted entry.
- All screws, bolts, and instructions – There is nothing else to buy with this kit. All the bolts and screws are included, as are complete and detailed instructions for installing the Door Armor Mini door jamb reinforcement kit.
How Hard is this Kit to Install?
Door Armor estimates that the average homeowner can install this kit in only 50 minutes. The instructions are clear and precise.
You need screwdrivers and a power drill to perform the standard installation. One great feature of the installation is you don’t need to remove the door from the door frame. The entire reinforcement kit is installable with the door still on the hinges.
Why We Like this Door Reinforcement Kit
In most cases, when an exterior is forced open, the area around the locks on the door frame, the door jamb, or the door itself fail.
The wood of the door jamb and door frame splinter or the door cracks enough to allow the lock bolts to slip away from the strike plates. This kit has everything you need to reinforce these most vulnerable parts of your exterior doors. We like that this is a complete kit that includes:
- 46-inch jamb and frame reinforcement to keep the frame and jamb from being forced loose
- Two four-inch door lock set reinforcement shields to prevent the door from failing
- All the screws and hardware required for the installation
- Complete easy to understand instructions.
IF a full-blown door jamb protection system is not on your radar, you should consider the Defender Security Prime Line Door Strike Plate Replacement.
The most vulnerable spot on any door is where the deadbolt and door striker engage with the jamb and door frame. Drilling relief holes in these parts of the door frame to allow the bolts to engage creates week spots.
What Does This Kit Include?
The Prime Line Door Strike Plate replacement kit from Defender Security is a beefier and heavier strike plate that replaces the standard strike plate with exterior door locksets. The features on this strike plate give added protection when someone attempts to force your exterior door open.
- One dual strike plate – The dual strike plate replaces the standard latch and deadbolt separate strike plates. The dual strike plate adds extra security to prevent the standard strike plates from being forced from the door jamb and frame.
- Extra-long three-inch screws – Each dual strike plate is pre-drilled with nine screw holes and comes complete with 3-inch wood screws. These extra-long wood screws penetrate the jamb and bite deeply into the door framing material under the trim. Nine screws provide much more strength than the two screws, usually holding a standard strike plate to the door frame.
- Larger Bolt and Latch Openings – This extra-long strike plate also incorporates larger bolt and latch openings to allow doors with either 5 ½ inch or 6-inch lock spacing.
- Complete and detailed installation instructions
How Hard is this Kit to Install?
Most homeowners will have no problem installing the Prime Line Door Strike Plate replacement kit. The typical installation requires:
- Screwdrivers for installing the screws and removing the old strike plates
- An electric drill for drilling pilot holes for the extra screws
- A hammer and chisel to create a mortice for the longer frame.
Why We like this Door Reinforcement Kit
Simplicity is the key here. When kicked or shoved open, most doors fail where the deadbolt and latch enter the strike plate. The usual method of mounting a strike plate is two one-inch screws. We like the security this kit affords the deadbolt and latch area of the door frame for several reasons.
- Three-inch long screws engage with the framing members under the door trim for extra security
- The longer strike plate provides more surface area for greater lock security.
- The length of the strike plate allows nine screws instead of the usual four that hold the separate strike plates
The configuration of some doors allows the removal of the hinge pins. Removing the hinge pins can allow the door to slip from the frame and open even if all the locks are engaged.
Installing security hinges can prevent this situation without the tremendous expense or having to reinstall your exterior door completely.
What Does This Kit Include?
Each of these security hinge kits has three security hinges to replace the existing hinges on your exterior door. Each security hinge kit is complete with all the hardware needed to swap the hinges on your exterior door.
- Three steel security hinges with a security tab
- Matching wood screws
- Complete instructions and diagrams
How Hard is this Kit to Install?
Installing security hinges on an existing exterior door is usually not at all difficult. In most instances, you can make the replacements without having to remove the door.
You can replace one hinge at a time while the door is installed in the door frame. You may need these tools to do the installation.
- Screwdrivers to remove the old hinge and install the new hinge
- A drill to deepen or extend the pilot holes for the wood screws
- A hammer and chisel to adjust the hinge mortice if necessary
Why We like this Door Reinforcement Kit
The hinge side of the door is an area that many people overlook when adding security reinforcement to their doors.
Even if the hinge pins on your exterior door aren’t accessible from outside, adding security hinges adds another level of protection. We like the idea of security hinges on all doors because:
- There is an added level of protection even if the door is forced
- Security hinges are typically beefier and sturdier than standard hinges
- Changing the things provides an opportunity to install longer, more secure screws to the hinges, which increases security and strength
Security is Something We too Often Neglect
The security of our homes and the safety of our families are an area we should never neglect or overlook. Adding an extra layer of reinforcement to your exterior doors can provide an additional sense of safety and security.
We hope this article helps you understand the available options for reinforcing your exterior doors and door jambs. The concept is simple, and, in most cases, the installation is easy and quick. Don’t neglect the well-being of your home and your family.
Dennis is a retired firefighter with an extensive background in construction, home improvement, and remodeling. He worked in the trades part-time while serving as an active firefighter. On his retirement, he started a remodeling and home repair business, which he ran for several years.
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