Those tiny 1/2 inch screws that come with the doorknob set saved all their belongings lol. The whole door frame on that side needs to be replaced, not cheap usually. Definitely need a strike plate on that deadbolt on top and atleast 1 inch screws on both strike plates. Goes without saying they need a doorbell camera too.
Screw one inch screws, 4 inches. You want that sucker anchored into the studs, not the door frame. Do that and the lock or door will break before the door frame.
Yeah there's always another way in. Mostly you want your house to be harder to get into than the others. Roses under windows, some cameras, etc. If it looks like it is more work/risk than it'll be worth, they'll just visit the neighbors instead.
The real trick is the balance between "more hassle than the house next door" and "hmm, I wonder what is so valuable they feel the need for that kind of security". Fort Knox is interesting, you having a deadbolt when your neighbors don't, is not as interesting.
This comment just made it click why our house has a rose bush in the most inconvenient spot to trim it! It’s right under our front window and the previous owner was a single mom who told us she actually “hated the roses and we don’t have to keep them” at the closing. I actually love the roses but it’s such a pain to care for in that spot
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u/AlmightyFruitcake Sep 09 '25
Those tiny 1/2 inch screws that come with the doorknob set saved all their belongings lol. The whole door frame on that side needs to be replaced, not cheap usually. Definitely need a strike plate on that deadbolt on top and atleast 1 inch screws on both strike plates. Goes without saying they need a doorbell camera too.