5 Things to Consider When Looking for a Door Security Bar

Home break-ins remain a huge problem across the country. And most of the time, the intruder gets inside the home through the front door.

This is why it’s important to keep your doors locked and have an additional layer of protection, like a door security bar.

Door security bars are usually the preferred choice of security equipment for homeowners who are looking for ways to complement their existing security system.

These security bars are very easy to use as it does not require any drilling or the use of hand tools to install it.

But for a security bar to be effective, it has to meet the following requirements:

1. Fits your door handle

To ensure the door security bar functions properly, the head of the bar should cradle the neck of a door handle or the shank of the knob with little to no gap. The rest of the bar’s head should also rest flat on the escutcheon of a door handle or the rose of a knob, and shouldn’t wiggle if you try to move it.

If the cradle is too wide or too narrow for the type of door handle or knob that you have, it can reduce the effectiveness and functionality of the security bar, as it might budge under pressure.

While door security bars are designed to fit most door handles and knob types, there are at least 35 types of handles and knobs commonly used in households. It’s best to get a test fit before you purchase a product. If you’re purchasing online, it’s best to ask the retailer about the specifications of the product and measure your handle or knob before finalizing your purchase.

2. Has a strong floor grip

Without a strong floor grip, the door jammer can be kicked out of place when force is applied to open the door. The strength of the grip should come from the bar itself, no matter what your floor type is.

However, for really slippery floors, a floor grip can be used but it’s worth noting that it’s a solution for really slippery flooring and not meant as a solution for the weak grip of the security bar itself. The grip should be made of materials that will hold tightly on any flooring surface: carpet, wood, linoleum, tile, marble, or concrete.

A strong grip is necessary to secure the door security bar in place, so it’s best to check its compatibility with different floor types when you’re deciding on a purchase.

3. Ease of deployment

When we are in a stressful situation, our freeze, flight, or flight instincts kick in. This reaction drastically affects our fine motor skills, hence we lose precision in our movements when we find ourselves in a stressful situation.

Fumbling with keys and latches is the last thing you want to happen to you in an emergency situation. To save precious time and secure your door immediately, look for door security bars that don’t require additional tools or keys to deploy and secure.

The ideal door jammer should be deployable in as little as 2 seconds and should be easy enough to use even in the absence of fine motor skills.

4. Maximum bar length

Door security bars typically measure between 42 and 51 inches when fully extended. While the knobs and handles are installed at a standard height from the floor, it’s best to measure your door to get the exact height. This removes the guesswork in deciding on the length of the bar that works for your door.

If the bar is too short, the head ends way below the handle or the knob. If it is too long, it may affect the angling of the bar against the door and on the floor, thereby affecting its gripping power.

5. Strength of material

Most door security bars are made of aluminum, iron, and steel. Some are made of plastic. Keep in mind that the security bar’s ability to act as your defense wall highly depends on the strength of its material. It’s important to pick a bar that is made of sturdy materials and won’t easily break when force is applied to it.

Ultimately, the best way to prevent your home from being broken into and burgled is to keep your doors, windows, and gates locked. Using a door security bar increases your level of protection from home break-ins.

For maximum protection, assign a door security bar for every entry point in your home. While intruders often try to enter a home through the front door, some attempt to gain entry through a back door.

Securing these entry points with a security bar, will make it difficult for an intruder to find an alternative entry point and discourage them from breaking into your home.