Burglars love entry doors.
It’s thieves’ #1 point of home entry. One solid kick at the jamb and bingo…. it’s robbery time!
It’s frustrating for a homebuilder to build and market homes thieves will target. Yet specifying a door based on security concerns alone can raise costs and diminish curb appeal.
The good news is, you can offer an entry door burglars hate and home buyers love without driving up costs.
Burglar’s Worst Nightmare
Call it the miracle of the full-length lock block. Every entry door has a lock block. Typically, it’s a 12- to 20-inch piece of laminated veneer lumber (LVL) embedded on the lock side of the entry door. As the name suggests, the lock block is the foundation for the door’s lock set. The lamination allows the screws to hold tight. It’s a practical solution for most security concerns. However, it’s not much of a challenge to a determined thief.
What burglars fear is an entry door with a full-length lock block partnered with a multipoint lock system. Together this pair is unbeatable.
Imagine a crook’s surprise (and howl of pain) when his or her kick is met by not one, but a trio of well-placed deadbolts.
Full-Length Advantage
Unfortunately, very few entry doors are candidates for a multipoint lock system, which many home insurers encourage by lower premiums. A small lock block isn’t practical for multipoint lock installation.
“A full-length lock block means strength and rigidity and down the entire door,” explains Herb Martin, district sales manager with Plastpro, a leading U.S.-based entry door manufacturer. “A multipoint lock system in a door with a 12- or 20-inch lock block means two of the locks are installed in unsupported wood or foam. The locking mechanism isn’t 100% secure and will break down over time.”
8’0” Door Essential
That scenario applies to both standard 6’8” doors as well as increasingly popular 8’0” entry doors. In fact, a full-length lock block is arguably essential for 8’0” doors. The door’s height makes it subject to bowing and twisting on the lock side. A full-length lock block with a multipoint locking system limits thermal deflection in extreme weather, reducing homeowner energy costs as well as outside noise.
5x Stronger
Tall door deflection is a serious issue that can be addressed with full-length steel bar reinforcement, in addition to a full-length lock block on 8-foot fiberglass doors. Pound for pound, fiberglass is 5x stronger than wood or steel. The result? A door system that can stand up to Florida Building Code HVHZ Standards, considered one of the nation’s toughest building codes. Best-in-class frame strength is a standard Plastpro door feature. Think of it as a callback peace of mind at no extra charge. “You work hard to build a great home,” Martin says. “Doesn’t it make sense to safeguard it with an entry door worthy of your home buyer’s investment and your good name?”
Learn more about how to differentiate your homes with full-length lock block security, durability and energy savings.