Don't forget to consider your basement door lock. Strengthen your security by installing a deadbolt. Read various reviews to determine the best lock rather than opting for the cheapest.
Fork. In a pinch, a simple fork can be used to temporarily lock a door that inwardly opens. To secure the door, bend the tines of the fork so that the tips of the tines fit into the door latch and the rest of the fork can comfortably remain in the gap between the door and the doorframe when the door is closed.
So basements are not as secure as you might think, so it is wise to have a solid/secure door between house and basement, and a working lock. You may find locks on the inside face, as well. Due to storm or intruder, you might need to “shelter in place" and might need that barrier while the cops are in route.
Installing a bulkhead door keyed entry lock can can increase the ease of accessing your basement by eliminating the need to go back inside to unlock the door. It is also a great way to improve the security on your basement bulkhead door.
If you'd like to brighten your basement, consider a sliding glass or French door. While less secure than a metal door, there are still excellent options for security and energy efficiency. They also provide a welcoming exit to a patio or outdoor lawn area.
However, with egress basement doors, you want them to swing out, according to NFPA 101. This is because when the door swings out in the direction that you're going, it makes escaping your home a lot easier.
For a door that opens out, build a wall by stacking desks or propping a table up in order to block the intruder's ability to see inside the room once the door is opened. For a door that swings in, push heavy furniture against it, prop a chair under the handle or use door jams.
Outward-opening doors are also more secure than inward-opening doors because they're less likely to be forced open from the inside. Additionally, outward-opening doors can be secured with locks and latches that are located on both the outside and inside of the door, making it difficult for intruders to gain access.
Close the door to the basement to conserve heat and energy costs. Heat naturally rises from the lower levels of a house upward, but a draft through an opened basement door cuts right into the warmth of the main floor.
Kwikset deadbolts can fit doors that are 1 3/8" to 1 3/4" standard. You can get a thick door kit to allow the deadbolt to fit on a door that is up to 2 1/4" thick.
Due to the nature of the mechanism, a deadbolt will always be more secure than a doorknob. If you're reading this from home I encourage you to do a simple test: If you have a door with both a deadbolt and a doorknob, open it and then lock both locks while the door is open.
Cellar Door Types and Prices
Despite these doors providing some level of defense against weather and intrusion, they inevitably begin to rot over time. This can lead to serious basement leaks. A better choice for bulkhead doors is either steel or fiberglass, which both offer superior durability.
Basement Entry Doors are installed inside your cellar foundation, at the bottom of the stairs. Basement Entry Doors secure your house and keep out moisture and critters that could invade your basement. If desired, optional trim can be installed to give your Basement Entry Door that finished look.
Home and garage doors should always be locked. Almost 50% of burglars enter homes and property through unlocked doors and windows. Use your locks. Never leave keys outdoors.
You don't need a key to lock most doors from the inside. Find the push-lock or twist-lock button on the inner doorknob. If your knob has a push-lock: You should see a small, cylindrical button protruding from the center of the knob. Push the button.
Use screws, not nails
The screws will hold better than nails and will be hidden by the hinges. Screws are better for securing the hinge jamb because nails can work loose. You can easily replace one of the short hinge screws with a long screw, but it can be difficult to find a strong screw that matches the other screws.
It is for this reason that the Pin Torx range of screws is the screw of choice for the industry professional. A mixture of Pin Torx and Pin Hex machine screws are ideal for securing playground apparatus and any application where there is likely to be a concerted attempt to remove the product that has been fixed.