In the United States, a home burglary occurs every 15 seconds. According to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program, 95% of these involve forced entry.
Another way to look at this? Ninety-five percent of home burglaries could be prevented if homeowners took the time to reinforce vulnerable entry points.
We have reviewed the top eight door reinforcement kits and door jamb security measures to help you find a product that will work for your needs.
Top Pick – The Best Door Reinforcement
The Best Door Reinforcement
Armor Concepts PRO MAX Door Security Kit
This six-piece set is strong enough to stand up to a police battering ram and comes with an unmatched money-back-plus-$500 guarantee.
With six galvanized steel pieces to cover every vulnerable area around your door, the Door Armor PRO MAX Single Door Security Kit will help you sleep easy.
Door reinforcement kit must be strong enough to stand up to extreme force, cover all weak points on the frame, and be simple to install. This Armor entry door reinforcement kit checks every single one of these boxes.
Each piece of this kit is made of extra-strong, galvanized steel and held in place with self-tapping, 3 ½ inch screws. It will work on brand new doors and frames. If your door is already damaged from a previous break-in, this kit can fortify it.
Armor Concepts Pro MAX Plus Combo Set
Key Specifications
- Complete door reinforcement system with up to 6 pieces
- Installation in under 30 minutes with just a drill
- Professional-grade powder-coated finish
- $500 lifetime guarantee against kick-ins
The Door Armor PRO MAX kit has become the door security standard for protecting residential and investment properties alike.
Each component is precision-engineered for maximum strength while maintaining a nearly invisible profile once installed. The entire system can be installed in under 30 minutes using only a drill and the included self-tapping screws.
The kit includes a 46-inch jamb shield with convenient knock-out holes to accommodate locks spaced from 4.5 to 21.5 inches apart. You get both PRO and MINI door shields – the PRO version requiring minimal clearance for tight-fitting doors, while the MINI shields slide easily over the door edge. Both options effectively prevent door splitting during attempted kick-ins.
For complete protection, you can add two hinge shields that install directly over existing hinges to stop attacks from the hinge side, plus an optional pry shield with tamper-resistant screws to defeat prying attempts by more sophisticated intruders.
This comprehensive system has been police-tested and proven effective since 2004. It comes backed by a legendary lifetime warranty that includes product replacement plus up to $500 toward your insurance deductible if your properly-installed door is ever breached.
The kit is powder-coated to perfectly match your existing door trim.
Armor Concepts Door Armor MAX 2 Door Bundle
Key Specifications
- Complete protection for two entry doors
- Includes FREE pry shields ($120 value)
- Easy DIY installation with included hardware
- Lifetime guarantee plus $500 insurance
The Door Armor MAX 2 Door Bundle delivers comprehensive security coverage for homes with multiple entry points, providing everything needed to protect two doors against forced entry.
After testing and inspecting the system, we can confirm each component is engineered for maximum protection while remaining surprisingly manageable to install.
The 46-inch jamb shield features well-designed knockouts that align perfectly with standard lock spacing. The MINI door shields slide cleanly onto the door edge without modification, while the hinge shields provide robust protection against attacks from the hinge side. The included pry shields, a $120 value, integrate seamlessly while adding crucial protection against prying attempts with their tamper-resistant hardware.
Installation proved straightforward with the included mounting hardware – each kit comes with 17 3½-inch and 4 2½-inch self-tapping screws, plus a specialized drill bit for perfect fitting. What impressed us most was how unobtrusive the system becomes once installed – visitors don’t notice the reinforcement unless we point it out, thanks to the clean powder-coated finish available in white, aged bronze, or satin nickel.
One practical note: ensure your doors have standard clearance (about the width of two quarters) for the MINI shields included in this bundle. For tighter-fitting doors, consider their PRO version instead.
Prime-Line U 11026 Door Jamb Reinforcement Kit
Key Specifications
- 59½-inch full-length coverage
- Heavy-duty alloy steel construction
- Surface-mount installation design
- Modern white powder-coated finish
The Prime-Line U 11026 offers comprehensive door frame protection in a straightforward reinforcement solution designed to strengthen damaged jambs or provide preventative security for vulnerable entry points.
This robust kit features commercial-grade alloy steel construction with a clean, modern profile that surface-mounts directly to your existing door frame. At 59½ inches in length, it provides extensive coverage while maintaining a slim 1.88-inch width that won’t interfere with door operation.
In our testing, installation proved straightforward with the surface-mount design eliminating the need for complex modifications to your existing frame. The white powder-coated finish blends well with standard door trim, though you may want to add a bead of caulk along the edges for a truly seamless look.
Note: at 3.69 pounds, this is a substantial piece of hardware that requires proper anchoring. While it comes with basic mounting hardware, we recommend using additional 3-inch screws (not included) for maximum security, particularly in repaired areas.
The kit comes with Amazon’s standard 30-day return policy, making it a low-risk option for those looking to reinforce their door frames or repair damage from previous break-in attempts. While not as comprehensive as some complete door security systems, it provides solid protection at an accessible price point.
Armor Concepts Jamb Shield
Key Specifications
- Perfect for fixing a broken jamb
- Easy to install
- Fits most standard entry doors
Another of our favorites from Armor Concepts is their a la cart Jamb Shield.
It is the same jamb featured in their pro kits. It is made of galvanized steel and pre-cut with punchouts to fit any lock system with locks spaced 4.5 to 21.5 inches apart. It is simple to install and comes with 3 ½ inch screws that secure into the stud.
This kit is a perfect choice for repairing already damaged jambs. The long screws and solid design assure the door will hold up even in a second forced entry attempt.
This product is available in white, aged bronze, and satin nickel.
Prime-Line U 11026 Jamb Repair and Reinforcement Kit
Key Specifications
- Affordable
- Doubled jamb guard for added strength
- Paintable
Old or previously damaged doors have weakened spots. The Prime-Line U 11026 jamb repair kit is perfect for those situations.
The doubled jamb shields from this kit are separated into three shorter sections that overlap. In terms of adding to the strength of the overall system, this feature falls short. But it does make installation easier and is great for doors that need extra reinforcement in focused areas.
The kit also includes two door shields that fit around existing locks to keep the door from splintering.
All pieces are made of steel with a white paintable finish. While not as strong as other kits here, this one does come in at a budget-friendly price.
Defender Security U 10893 Mega-Jamb Reinforcing Kit
Key Specifications
- L-shaped jamb shield for added strength
- Door shield covers the entire lock area
- Made with thick steel
Another fairly straightforward product in the world of door reinforcement is the Defender Security U 10893 Mega-Jamb kit.
This kit includes just two pieces.
The first is a thick, steel jamb shield with a unique L-shape. How does this work? You will need to install it under the trim that surrounds the door. While this does take a little more work, it is worth the extra effort. That L-shape adds extra strength and an additional bracing point in case of attempted forced entry.
The second piece is a U-shaped door reinforcement piece that you will install around the deadbolt. Unlike other door shields that only hug the area between the lock plate on each side, this one extends across the lock for added protection against splintering.
We like this kit because it has a lot of little features that add to the overall strength. But where this kit falls short is in the hardware department. No screws are included with the product, so it is up to the customer to find sturdy screws long enough to tap into the wall stud.
This model comes in a paintable white finish.
Defender Security Satin Nickel U 10827 Door Reinforcement Lock
Key Specifications
- Easy to install and operate
- Comes in multiple finishes
- Adds to existing security features
If your door lacks a deadbolt or if the hardware you currently have is compromised, then all the jamb reinforcement in the world won’t stop someone from getting through. For these cases, a specialized reinforced lock, like the Defender Security U 10827 Door Reinforcement Lock, may be your best option.
This lock is super simple to install, requiring just four screws and a pencil, and even easier to operate.
The flat plate is screwed into the jamb with the included 3-inch screws. Once the door is closed, all you have to do is flip the lock piece into place against the door to engage. Once in the lock position, this product can withstand up to 800-pounds of pressure.
There are a few downsides to this lock. You can’t easily install it with an existing full-length steel jamb shield. Additionally, you can only set it from the inside, which means it won’t work while you’re not home unless you exit through another door.
But, in terms of ease-of-install and use, this reinforced lock is a great choice and one that’s easy on the wallet.
For Double Doors – Armor Concepts Double Door Kit
Key Specifications
- Designed for double door entries
- Includes night locks for added security
- Extra-strong galvanized steel
- Lifetime guarantee
None of the above door reinforcement kits will work on double door entries. For this unique setup, you need a specialized door kit. And you won’t find any better option than the Armor Concepts Double Door reinforcement kit.
This kit comes with a long list of parts to secure the many weak points of a double door entry.
The jamb shield fits on the horizontal jamb above the doors, securing the area around the second door lock bolt. The two door shields strengthen the area around the knob and receptacle on each door, and the four hinge shields reinforce the two lower hinges on each door.
Additionally, this kit comes with two night locks. These specialized shields are installed on the floor in front of your door and include a removable slide-out piece that braces the door and prevents it from opening.
Like all other Armor Concepts products, this kit comes with all the necessary hardware and will stand up to forced intrusion thanks to the lifetime guarantee.
All the hardware in this kit is available in white, aged bronze, and satin nickel. Because the night locks are more visible, you can purchase them differently from the other parts.
Door Hardening Kit Buying Guide
Knowing how each possible piece of an entry door reinforcement kit works is the first step to understanding how to choose the right product for your needs. But there are other features beyond the parts included that you will need to consider.
Effectiveness
This is, by far, the most critical aspect of any door reinforcement kit. If the tools don’t prevent forced entry, what was the point of buying the kit?
Highly effective door security kits are made of multi-ply steel or, even better, galvanized steel. The shields should not easily bend or snap. They should also come with solid and thick screws long enough to penetrate through to the wall stud.
If a kit does not include screws, you can always buy your own to use with it. But if a kit includes flimsy or short screws, this is a good sign that the kit’s overall quality is lacking. In this case, you are likely better off choosing another option.
Another gauge of effectiveness is the company’s specifications and the testing and certifications the product has received. Quality products go through strength tests to determine how much force they can withstand. You should see some listings of these specifications and certifications on the product page.
You can also conduct precautionary measures like hiding valuables in top-secret locations.
Color
While the color of a product has little to do with its effectiveness, it is essential for aesthetic reasons.
Many kits are available in multiple color options to match traditional jamb colors and door hardware. But there are some that come in paintable finishes.
Be wary of raw steel finishes that can’t be easily painted and that will stick out like a sore thumb against traditional jamb finishes.
Warranty
Most door reinforcement kits come with some type of money-back guarantee as well as a manufacturer’s warranty.
The best products on the market come with a “kick-in” guarantee. It means that the company will automatically replace your kit if it is damaged after the door is successfully forced open. Some companies, like Armor Concepts, offer a monetary pay-out on top of their money-back guarantee if your door is successfully kicked open.
At the very least, the product should come with a warranty against manufacturer defects.
Installing Door Reinforcement Kits: A Simple Guide
Installing a door reinforcement kit doesn’t have to be complicated. While some kits may require more effort than others, installing your security upgrades should never be as challenging as trying to break through them.
Basic Components and Tools
Most kits come with a latch plate at minimum, along with longer screws for proper anchoring.
Here are the essential tools you’ll need:
Your regular screwdriver will handle most installations since manufacturers typically use Phillips head screws. However, some high-security kits may include special security screws that require specific tools.
A power drill is invaluable for quick, clean installations and helps prevent damage to your door frame.
Always drill pilot holes where you’ll be adding new screws – this simple step saves time and prevents splitting.
Additional Tools for Tricky Installations
Sometimes doors need extra attention to fit reinforcement properly. Keep these tools handy:
A basic sanding block is essential when working with tight-fitting doors. This allows you to carefully remove small amounts of material where needed for proper clearance.
For more stubborn situations, you might need something with more power. A reciprocating saw, Dremel tool, or oscillating saw can quickly remove material when minor adjustments aren’t enough. Any of these will work – use whichever you’re most comfortable with.
Time and Skill Requirements
Even without professional carpentry experience, most reinforcement kits can be installed in under 30 minutes. The process is straightforward when you follow the manufacturer’s instructions and take your time with the measurements.
Remember, proper installation ensures your door security upgrade works as intended. If you’re unsure about any step of the process, most manufacturers provide detailed instructions or support resources to help you complete the job correctly.
The Wrap Up
There is a wide variety of door security products out there. But when it comes to the all-around best door reinforcement kit, the Armor Concepts Combo Set easily outshines the others.
This comprehensive door reinforcement kit addresses all the weak points of the door and jamb to assure no one can get through. And it comes with a pry-protector for added peace of mind. All pieces are made with ultra-strong galvanized steel and are easy to install with the included extra-long, self-tapping screws.
If you have a low clearance door, the Armor Concepts PRO MINI PLUS offers most of the same great features and a similar security level as the Combo Set, but with special considerations for tight spaces.
