Rosie's Three-Minute Tips: Securing Double French Doors
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- čas přidán 22. 08. 2024
- You won't believe how easy it is to break into locked, double french doors (without breaking the glass!). Rosie shows us a quick and super-easy solution to better secure your home from burglary.
ETA: At the time of this video, we were not aware of the Door Armor product. It is a good alternative to this method if you are concerned about losing functionality in the door: rosie-estore.m...
We have received a number of comments about breaking the glass next to the dead bolt to gain access. Here are solutions to help prevent that from happening:
1. Install a double cylinder deadbolt (not recommended by most fire departments for fire escape safety concerns) like this one www.schlage.co...
2. Install a security film over the glass such as www.usace.com/. Check out some of their impressive videos at / acetvnews .
3. Security Screens such as www.securitysc...
As someone who has french doors and was burglarized just a few weeks ago by someone coming through them, I strongly suggest anyone who sees this pay close attention to how thin and weak the material is on the inside edges of the door. The burglar, in my case, literally kicked in the door and the composite material simply shattered. I came home to find my doors standing wide open with the deadlock still fully extended but a gaping hole on the non-active (or whatever he called it) door. At the moment I have a 2x4 across them screwed into studs with 3" screws - I will need to repair the non-active door and then plan to install something like door armor which is basically a set of steel pieces that reinforce the jamb and, due to the length (something like 48") and multiple screw points, redistribute the impact over a much larger area. Hopefully that will do it as I can't afford any more burglaries! Long story short - feel free to follow Rosie's advice (I will) but also pay close attention to the other weaknesses and plan accordingly, I implore you to do so for your and your family's safety!
Metal frame, security film over all glass, the screws and double sided deadbolt seem to be the ticket.
In Europe most people who have French doors leading to the outside also have roll down metal "hurricane" shutters that cover the doors and that they close when leaving the house. We have been too trusting in the US.
@@everss02 thank you about the idea of security film, because I didn’t know there was anything to make the glass stronger. Makes me wonder if the same type of film would be available for regular glass windows.
Good information here, and thank you. I have nice French doors that are only about a year old, and I thought because the glass is double pane that would be more secure. I don’t know why I would think that when the glass is one sheet on the inside, something in the middle to look like individual windows, and one sheet of glass on the inside. French doors are beautiful in my opinion, but I am rethinking the security. Hope this never happens to you again.
Thank god we don’t have em less hassle
I've never seen that done before. That's an incredible flaw in double French doors and I'm very happy that you shared it.
You can just get toggle flush bolts that require the active leaf to be open to open/close the mechanism. A simple slide mechanism like this isn't really meant to be used on exterior doors.
Not exactly what I came here for but still helped me immensely, thank you 👍
Rosie, thank you!!! very much for bringing that to everyone's attention. I did exactly what you showed, although, in my set up ,I had no way to get a screw under the levers soooo , I drilled right thru each lever ,and it worked out great! thanks again.
wow! i never knew how unsecure french doors where....thank you great video!
Thank you for this! I just bought a house and have decided a good hurricane wind would push my doors in as the top bolt falls on its own. I was looking for something to stick under it but hadn’t thought of a screw!
oh i believe it because i had to do it to my own french doors just the other day and the discovery led me here. Hi from Peachtree Hills in Atlanta and thanks for the tip, doing it tomorrow when it's daylight!
For French Doors, with dual Handles, I recommend the PatLock System. The flush bolts don't matter but that mod would strengthen the double doors....
Good idea Mr Pool Player. But that PatLock System only works if you have those lever door handles... 2 of them.
I will try this and see if the wind won’t blow open the doors any longer.... I had totally forgotten about The two inside of door locks. Your amazing! Thanks!
God bless you!! Thank you so much!
forgive the possibly dumb question... where exactly should I put the screw? picture seems to show the screw going at bottom of the flush plate housing but I don't see how a screw here would do anything... am I missing something? and how long a screw should I use?
Yeah. He poorly presented the solution
Thank you, did several things to reinforce mine and completely overlooked this, just added the screws.
Pleased we could help!
What else did you do to reinforce?
longer screws on the hinges and strike plate. Look up Nightlock, it installs on the floor and will reinforce the door from kick in.
Thank you so much for sharing this valuable tip!
I just broke into my house using a small screwdriver! Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this video. Sharing with Facebook friends right now.
I used my phone to push them open! 😂
Thank you. Just did mine. PERFECT!!!
Took this advice. Great tip 👍
My friend never locked his French doors to prevent damage to the door. If someone wants to get in; they will.
I’m desperate for knowledge on how to replace the wood trim on the door with the flush bolts. My dog demands to come in during thunderstorms and when I wasn’t there she tore half the wood trim. I don’t know what to ask for. I can’t afford to replace the doors. I hope you can help. Thanks for sharing your tip that is valuable knowledge.
very informative
Brilliant!
Absolutely it does! And thank you! Just subscribed🙂
Thank you. You saved me.
Hi Rosie, thanks for the video. Any recommendations on securing out-swinging French doors? Twice now we’ve come down to see that the one door is fully open. Not burglars we think but very unusual. Thanks.
Hello! Thanks for the question! Want to mention that if you have out-swinging french doors you should have non-removable hinge pins. But to secure them, the process is the same as this video demonstrates. I hope this helps! If you have further questions please email info@rosieonthehouse.com .
Great tip,thanks👍🏻
I knew about the venerability breaking in to my own house, thanks for the easy fix
Great tip Rosie!
Can't they just crack open one of the glass and open knob?
Yes. Unless you have a double cylinder deadbolt (key required from both sides) as mentioned in his description. Unfortunately double cylinder deadbolts are prohibited in some places because of fire-code restrictions. I hate our French doors for this reason. Have alarms and motion sensors. Big deal. I'd rather not make it so easy for others to get in in the first place because of lame fire codes. Keep em out is preferred.
Of course!!! That's why I'm looking for a better way.
@@angiehansen2233 Rosie's tips for securing the bought them in top bolt and you are absolutely right a double cylinder deadbolt is another layer that is probably a good idea 💡
thanks so much for the advice!
i'm not a professional, but it seems to me that if the door is installed correctly and your flush bolts and door locks are well-aligned, you should not be able to get that tool in far enough to catch the flush bolt. i just tried it on two of mine - i was only barely able to get within reach of one of the four bolts. so i re-aligned the strike plates for a more snug fit. i can't even get a putty knife in there now! thanks for the video, though - now i know to check the doors for a good fit. i don't want to screw the lock shut, though - the whole reason for our French doors are the full-open views across the garden and decks. plus the wonderful natural airflow - if we are home, those suckers are OPEN! cheers.
if you leave them open when you are home, don’t all the bugs come in and your cats and dogs run out
Thanks that is helpful! However, what about taking the hammer and breaking the glass to unlock the door? break only 1 pane nearest the knob?
yep!
If you have a double-cylinder deadbolt, it can't be opened without a key. I installed these on all my exterior doors: www.amazon.ca/Brinks-2718-119-Double-Cylinder-Deadbolt/dp/B00FXRJI4O/ref=sr_1_25?dchild=1&keywords=double+faced+deadbolt&qid=1629213001&sr=8-25
That is one option. But something to note is most Fire Departments advise against these types of locks. Should you ever need to escape a structure fire, locating and operating the key during a panic situation only ads time to the escape and in that type of situations ever second is critical.
Thank you!
Amazing. Thanks for sharing.
wow good tip 🏡
I like advice from someone who has nothing to sell me.
great idea ,gO BANGALS !!! 2022 SUPER BOWL !!
Rosie, if i need to replace those plastic flush bolts on a passive door that swings *IN*, do I have to remove it from the hinges ?
To replace the bottom flush bolt, yes, you will probably have to remove the door from the hinges. There are some that mount from the side...but most often they insert from the top and bottom of the door.
Rosie On The House Thank you for the prompt reply sir !
Great advice!!!
After 7 yrs I just found out my french doors are in backwards. I wanted them to right swing out and they do but the piece that covers the crack is on the inside. I just broke in myself yesterday using a garden trowel. So i need to figure out how to fix it.
Aside from removing the trim and cutting the door jam away from the frame of the house and physically reversing the door, you can install a security screen door on the exterior of the french door as a layer of security.
Thanks, this is awesome. Are there any other tips to make a french door more secure?
Maybe a chain lock that wraps around the handles?
Thank you Mia! Here is our French Door Security Video czcams.com/video/usm9k8Jyfgs/video.html
We have a weather wood sheld that covers from the outside so nothing can be inserted in.
However if you do that you cannot open that dummy door now for entertatining purposes without removing the screw, correct?
That is correct - this is a semi-permanent solution. We find most people only use one of the door most of the time anyway, so this is for that portion of the population.
NOTHING will secure doors like this unless you bar the windowed section and use a key only deadbolt. . The wooden bars can just be pushed out with the glass. even laminated film over the glass isnt secure but just adds an extra 60 seconds of breaking out the glass.
Thanks for your comment! When it comes to security, the same could be said for all your windows as well. Anything that will delay a burglar is a deterrent. The sound of shattering glass is very distinct and makes way too much noise so if they decide to break the glass, they are going to want to be as fast as possible. That extra 60 seconds it takes to break through laminated film could be the difference between the intruder getting into your home/ accessing your belongings and deciding that messing with the glass isn’t worth getting caught and ultimately deciding to run away. Slowing the burglar down/deterring them in any way will help keep this type of door more secure than it would be otherwise.
Why even have french door if you cant open the 2nd door.
I was wondering this too, I both of mine daily.
There may have already been a French Doors on the home from the builder or previous homeowner before you purchased it. Also, this wouldn't be a good solution if you open both daily. But as Rosie said in the video, most homeowners only open a handful of times each year.
New French Doors are designed to eliminate this flaw with three point locks, redesign of hinge and sensors. Here are two examples from Pella Windows & Doors:
www.pella.com/doors/french-doors/designer-series/
www.pella.com/doors/french-doors/pella-450-series/
@@RosieOnTheHouseVideos thanks for this. I moved into a house that already had these dumb doors. Thank you
We bought a house with them. They are nice to look out of and let light in during the day and they are pretty but we’ve only opened the second door maybe 3 times in a year.
Excellent tip. Thanks. Question: Where can I buy Flush Bolts like the ones you have on that door. I'm looking for old school plastic types. Mine are broken and need to replace without cutting door for a different size Flush Bolt.
Thanks for the question! Rosie says you will need to go to a door specialist in your area. If you are in the Phoenix area, we like Arcadia Doors and Scottsdale Custom Door. Hope this helps!
I think you just saved my life or at least my possessions
How about break out a single pane and unlock the door... where is part 2
French doors are the best for a aesthetics and the worst for break-ins
without the screw in would intruders still be able to get in easily if you have a trilennium multi-point lock installed?
Back in my country somebody try to get in my house, 15 bullets from my AK47 fix the problem.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Now my father say nobody get close to the fence.
How long and what type of screw did you use? Thanks for the video and God bless 🙏
Does not need to be more than 2 inches or so. You want it in enough that the screw will stay in place, allow the other door to close but NOT so far you reach the glass pane if it goes that high.
The video did not show the final placement of the screw. My door is all metal latch and covered by a metal door corner plate. Not sure where to drive the screw
Hi Dasha! Thanks for your comment! Can you send me a photo to info@rosieonthehouse.com and I'll see what I can recommend for you! Thanks
Did it and feel so much more secure. I currently have double doors that doing outward. Does that make easier to break into vs an inswing door?
Great question! That usually means the door hinges are on the outside, this makes it much easier to break in unfortunately. Make sure the pins in those exposed hinges are “non-removable pins”.
Now you can’t open your door fully without taking the screw out and how many times can you do that till your flush bolt breaks? Not a great solution in my mind
Thanks for watching, Brian. That is true. But as we stated in the video, this is a good option for the majority of people that do not open both sides of their french doors. Opening both is a rare occasion for most homeowners, but you are correct, this does make that second door unusable.
Exactly,i dont know why this is so difficult to comprehend.only time ill use both doors is to move furniture in and out.
the screw tip is OK. but what about the lever flip that requires the active door to open to flip the slider bolt up and down.
Thanks for the comment! We're having a difficult time picturing what you're describing - please send a photo along with your question to us at info@rosieonthehouse.com and we will be happy to help you in more detail.
do you have to remove the screw to open the french doors;?
thanks for the question! Yes - you do need to remove the screw to open them back up. This is for the 90% of people who never use the second door! Hope this helps!
So mine are somewhere in the middle of the door. not at the top and bottom
I don't have those kind of door openers on mine. I have a spring loaded piece of metal that has to be pushed in with one hand while pulling down the latch with the other. This method would not work for my doors.
Hey Kay, thanks for checking out the video and reaching out! If you can email us a photo of the latching mechanism, Rosie will let you know how to accomplish the same thing. Email: info@RosieontheHouse.com
Never occurred to me, thank you. It would seem to me, unless you are willing to smash windows, that a sliding door would be more secure. I know because when I was younger I learned with my brothers if you throw the weight of a human body at the middle of locked French doors they usually will open. Those flush bolts you mentioned don’t seem to go deep enough or the doors flex enough to unseat them.
I’ve heard you can just lift them off the tracks to open. My boyfriend said he used to do that to sneak back into his house when he was a kid. I’d hope they are better now a days but who knows.
Brilliant
Can’t see where you actually put the screw ???
yay, now they have to break the glass and reach in to unlock the deadbolt
oh wait... they can still get in in seconds
Two solutions for that Henry.
1. Install a double cylinder deadbolt like this one www.schlage.com/en/home/products/products-deadbolt/double-cylinder/double-cylinder-listing.html
2. Install a security film over the glass sucj aswww.usace.com/
Thanks for watching and the feedback!
Ok so can you still open the 2nd door even w the bolts in ???
no, unfortunately you cannot. But it is very easy to remove the screws if you need to move in large furniture, etc. For day to day use though, we find very few people use the second door on a regular basis.
how do you protect from breaking the glass and just unlocking the door?
Unfortunately, not a thing. But the police department does often site how minimal the amount of broken windows are in a home burglary. We can only make certain things more secure and hope it deters someone long enough to change their mind completely!
Um so how do you unlock the flush bolt if there is a screw in there?
As stated in the video this will make the stationary door unusable as long as the screw is in place. Since most homeowners only use the other door, it typically isn't an issue for people to make the stationary door more permanent. If you use the door often, this is not a practical application for you.
What about window smashing? That why I don't want French doors with windows but they are nice
The Best I can think to do is to attach bars to the doors inside
Alec Phommavong get hurricane rated glass.
They still won't be able to unlock the double sided dead lock. Most burglars don't like to smash their way in to the point of smashing a heap of panes of glass because it makes way too much noise.
I have these as my front doors and I sleep with a gun on my nightstand because I live in a bad area I rent and my landlord will not let me put a new door in anyone have any advice to make it kick/smash proof ?
Most but burglaries happen during day time when you're at work. I suggest get a camera.
Okay I guess I gotta sleep with the gun under the pillow now
Why didn’t I thought about that
Hi, that a very good idea. ??? I have a double door that swing out. It there anything I can do to Security that. Thank you very much
The first thing you want to do is check to ensure you have security hinges installed to prevent the pins from being removed.
What type and size screw do you recommend to secure this?
Hello! Any size screw will work. The point is to stop the lock from dropping - not to reinforce anything structurally. Hope this helps!
With the screw at the bottom, the home owner can still unlock the flush bolt right?
Yes, but they will have to remove the screw to do so.
@@RosieOnTheHouseVideos good to know! Thanks!
Unfortunately door could be kicked in so easily
Mine is metal and I don’t see anywhere to put the screw under it any ideas?
Hey Jane, thanks for the comment! based on the image you emailed us, we have the following explanation for you. We hope this helps! www.rosieonthehouse.com/images/faq/Home_Safety/Rosie-on-the-House-Securing-Metal-French-Doors.png
@@RosieOnTheHouseVideos thanks so much for your quick reply. I will do that tomorrow! Not sure how I missed that. I have plenty more DIY questions. Where’s a good place to ask them? Like a website or can i email y’all?
Wouldn’t it just be easier to break the window and unlock the deadbolt?
yes...you certainly could. But that is an entirely different flaw with the design. We do find however, that breaking windows is not as common as you might think in home invasions.
Well, now one can't break into the door without smashing in the windows or picking the locks.
Anyone know how long of a screw was used?
anything from 1/2-3/4" should be just fine!
Great now if only they offered a tempered glass French door
Use security film
All burglars have to do is break the glass and reach in and unlock and open the door.
This has been addressed multiple times in the comments and we have added solutions in the comment section including laminates like Ace. Check out some of their videos czcams.com/users/acetvnews
Thanks for tip 👍 well I live in Texas 10 gauge & some birdshots do the trick😅
Wow that will mislead everyone. Notice that he did not close the doors afterwards. We all know if you install screws and leave them protruding that the door probably won’t close or test up the weatherstripping.
Thanks for your comment Rick! There are no protruding screws if this DIY project is done correctly and it does not interfere with the weather stripping. This DIY is currently in place on the door featured in the video and works perfectly. If you have any further questions or issues with a door at your house, feel free to send us photos to info@rosieonthehouse.com and we’ll be happy to take a look for you.
But..hang on. You cannot use the door unless you remove the screw right? Im sure the answer is you cant. But even if u only use the doue doors 5 times a year, eventuly that hole where the screw is gonna get loosey goosey
That's a valid concern. Eventually yes, it may start to get a little loose, but that is very easy to fix with toothpicks and elmer's glue. Dip toothpicks in the glue, stuff them in the screw hole and snap them off so they are flush. Do this with 3 or 4 toothpicks or as many as you can insert without using a hammer; just use your finger pressure. Reinsert the screw and you're good for several more years.
@@RosieOnTheHouseVideos okie doke 😊 thx u!
When do we get the other 40 seconds?
Guess we didn't need the extra 40 seconds to complete this tip... :)
That’s how you stop a honest thief. Now how do you stop a real burglar?
No one should be buying doors from a company that has put so little thought into their security.
I don’t understand where to put in the screw. You were too quick when you drilled the screw and immediately moved your camera away
Hello Zehua, sorry about the quickness of the shot! If you pause the video at 1:53 you can see the screw was inserted just under/ at the bottom of the fully locked flush bolt. If need be, feel free to send a photo of this portion of your door to info@rosieonthehouse.com and we will help you identify where that screw needs to be placed.
@@RosieOnTheHouseVideos thank you! I see it now
I like how he doesnt mention that you cant just use your french door anymore lol
You are correct Cameron, you can't. But as stated, the typical homeowner doesn't open both doors the majority of the time. You are always welcome to take the screw back out, or use this tip for vacations only. Thanks for watching!
@@RosieOnTheHouseVideos I am going to use your idea of the screw. I am building my home which has 2 exterior French doors; and this is good for when I first move in, until I decide what other permanent security options I have for those doors. It will make me feel safe. And as you mentioned, I can always remove it! 🙂
that video was not clear
Thanks for your comment Namita. If you'd like to reach out to us directly with questions, we'd be happy to help you evaluate your door and further walk you through how to accomplish this DIY project. Send us an email at info@rosieonthehouse.com!
Put in the screw and now you can't open the door? Not an intelligent solution. Install a top and bottom Thick Slide Barrel Door Bolt (Slide bolt gate latch/ Barrel bolt door latch) away from the door opening on the inside of the door. They even make them with locks. When I lived in Ann Arbor MI we attached padlocks on all of the windows.
yes, Louis. You are correct. It does hinder the door unusable, but as mentioned in the video, these doors are often not used anyway, so this is for those homeowners that don't find themselves using them on a regular basis. We agree your method would work as well, as long as a homeowner is ok with the eye sore.
@@RosieOnTheHouseVideos Thanks. The "eye sore" quality can be mostly eliminated with paint to match the door.
Good thing they can't just break the glass , reach in, and unlock it. ;-)
@@_-_-.-_-_ EEEEE-YAAAAAAAAAH!!!! LOL
This is a terrible fix lol. Eventually your wood screws are going to create a hole that will keep getting bigger every time you drill it in and out and then grab a bigger screw and so on and so on. Buy and install the latching style (I don’t know the term, but it’s what I have on my French doors)that requires the active door to be open in order to actually recess or protrude that pin into the door.
I'm pretty sure all this guy really did was teach people how to break into your house.
Not if you put in the screw, then we can't...
If you install them so the doors open into the house, then you don't have that problem.
Why does the Americans call it a French Door ? I have never saw this type of doors in France with that kind of cheap locking mechanism...
The description french door has to do with the style of the glass window in the door being glass embedded in wood muntins (which now is actually a single dual pane system with plastic trim on the exterior). The origins of this style are credited to France. The locking mechanism is a more recent development. And higher end french doors have much better locking mechanisms. The type that Rosie is showing in the video is just the most common in a typical home.
%90 of door is window. dont talk about securty lol 1 kick enough
Thanks for the comment! While that is true, most burglars try to be as discreet as possible in an effort to not get caught! They won’t want to smash their way in because the sound of shattering glass is very distinct and makes way too much noise. You can also install security laminate to keep the glass from smashing all the way through. Many companies offer these types of laminate such as 3M
French doors suck.
Thanks for the heads up. I've got some Joe Biden loving gun banning clowns that moved in next door to me.