Poorly designed doors and windows can seriously compromise your home security. Here is what you can do about it.

Doors should be made of solid core wood. Hollow core doors are usually easy to break through.

Doors should be at least a couple of inches thick and must fit into the frame tightly. The gap between the door and the frame should never exceed one-eighth of an inch.

Irrespective of the locks or bolts you use, if the door is weak or doesn't fit tightly onto the frame, it will offer little security.

Does your front door have a decorative glass panel or window? If so, consider replacing it. A burglar can break the glass in seconds and unlock the door.

At the very least, replace the glass with break-resistant plastic and put a decorative grill in place.

A wrought iron security door installed over the front door will considerably enhance security. It is directly visible to would-be burglars and is a deterrent to break-ins.

If you have a security door, you can open the front door to talk to strangers without exposing your home to much risk.

Your garage door can be a weak point, especially if the garage is attached to the house. Keep it locked at all times, even when you are home. Once a thief gets into your garage, he can work at getting into the house without being seen by your neighbors or anyone on the street.

Installing a doggie door for your pet to get in can be a risk too. Burglars have used such openings to gain entry into houses, even when the doggie door is quite small!

Sometimes, homeowners take all possible precautions with the main doors, but install arcadia doors (with sliding glass) and sliding glass windows that can be easily broken into.

In fact, burglars often hunt for these types of doors and windows because they are easy to enter. Apart from that, these doors and windows are often more secluded than the main entrances, which is an added attraction to burglars.

Arcadia doors and windows often come with a lock that can be easily pried open. You must install an additional lock to keep them secure.

It may be best to use key locking devices since they won't allow the burglar to easily remove property through these doors and windows. Get your locksmith to select a sturdy type of lock that gives you the maximum protection.

The other danger is that arcadia doors can often be lifted right out of their tracks from outside. If that is the case, the door or window offers zero protection.

To prevent this, use two sheet metal screws in the track. The screws should be positioned above the removable portion of the door / window. Ensure that the door or window fits just clear beneath the screws.

In addition, drill a hole that goes through the inside frame and part of the way through the door frame metal. Insert a nail that goes through part of the doorframe. The nail can be removed from inside but not from outside, which would prevent the door from being lifted.

Utilize these simple home security tips to protect your doors and windows and you will lessen the chances of burglaries.

About the Author:

James Strobes is a home and office security consultant. See http://www.homesecurityadvice.info/ and http://www.homesecurityadvice.info/Choosing-The-Right-Garage-Door.html for more information on home security.