How To Harden French Doors

A metal plate over the lock mechanism on both sides of the door secured with bolts through the door are an easy way to prevent the door from splitting.

How to harden french doors.

Before installing caulk behind the nail fins of the doorframe to help create a weather tight seal. The more you use your french doors the more likely the thread of the screws will drag against the walls of their casings and loosen. Jeld wen 72 in x 80 in external grilles primed steel right hand inswing double door french patio door. Set up a power or cordless drill with a screw tip attachment.

Three point locking mechanisms are best for french doors. In response to our ultimate home defense security plan we were asked numerous times how to harden doors and windows. The door will split and the the lock mechanism will just twist out. While interior doors are typically 1 3 8 inch thick exterior doors should be 1 3 4 inches of solid wood.

Predrill and attach a new plate with no. Pre hung doors eliminate many of the steps necessary to installing a door. If this is the case you may need to remove the entire doors so you can renew the holes. Open both doors fully and stabilize each with a doorstop.

For doors with a bolt that slides to lock along the top and bottom of the door you can permanently lock the door by drilling a hole into. So we made a video. Screws that are angled in slightly to catch the stud. For standard door frames french doors are also available in pre hung kits making installation simple and straightforward.

Door edge when a deadbolt is installed in a door it creates a 1 inch bore through the outer edge leaving the actual wood around the deadbolt only 3 8 of an inch thick. Apply three beads of 100 percent non hardening silicone don t use constructive adhesive onto the sill plate to help keep the weather out. Predrill with a 1 8 in. For pricing and availability.

Reliabilt steel patio door 96 in x 80 in clear glass steel right hand inswing double doors french patio door with screen. Tighten the screws in the hinges at the edges of the doors and at the faces. Before installing the french doors frame check the sill plate for any deformities nails or obstructions. To further reinforce the doorjamb install a new strike plate in place of the old lip door strike plate that serves the doorknob lockset.

Reinforcing both door and frame should make for a very secure entrance. Door hardening starts with the door itself. Attach it with 3 in.