Question:
Words of my builder who stated a dead bolt on a garage entrance door is
a waste of money: All a buglar has to do once in a typical garage is
put a fist/foot through two layers of drywall and unlock the door. What can I do to solve that problem. I am really angry with what the builders have done to my garage entrance door.
Answer:
let's face it- if burglars are persistent enough, they can get
into most houses. In the situation being discussed, if the burglar
was persistent enough to get inside the garage and out of sight, there
is little you can do to stop him/her from getting in if they really
wish to. So take reasonable precautions, such as a properly hung
solid door with a good quality lock, but realize that turning your
house into an impregnable castle is unrealistic. There are lots of
houses for a burglar to choose from, so the trick is to make your
house one of the less attractive choices in your neighborhood
here in Dallas there were "driveway robberies" where the thugs followed
folks home to rob them in their driveways or open garages. A lot of people
open the garage door before they pull into the driveway & making sure
it is safe. I think a secure door is very important. Period.
when my then girlfriend bought a house, the lending company's home
inspector said the cheapo interior door that was used as a door from the
garage into the house wouldn't pass an FHA inspection. Since she got a
conventional loan, no problem. I did replace the door with what I recommended
earlier & with the long screws, etc.
Also, her independant home inspector said the door needed to be steel & with
an automatic closer to help as a fire wall & to help prevent CO from entering
the house.
There's nothing like doing it right the first time
