Eliminating Vulnerabilities on Unwatched Side Entryways
The side or back door connecting your garage to the yard is one of the most common entry points for break-ins. Because these doors are hidden from street view by fences or the garage structure, burglars have time to pry or kick them open.
1. Install a Solid Core Door
Many garages are fitted with hollow-core interior doors on the side entry. These can be kicked through in seconds.
- The Fix: Replace the door with a solid-core wood, steel-clad, or fiberglass entry door.
2. Add a Dedicated Deadbolt
Side entry doors often rely on a simple locking door knob.
- The Fix: Install a high-quality deadbolt with a full 1-inch throw bolt. Ensure the strike plate is secured with 3-inch screws anchored to the structural framing studs.
Why the garage door into the house matters
Thieves like garages because they offer privacy and cover. Once inside, an interior door with a light latch gives them an easy route into the house. Many builders fit hollow-core doors here that are not designed to resist force.
What to change
Fit a solid-core or steel door, a proper deadbolt and a reinforced strike. Keep the door locked even when you are home. Reset opener remotes if one has gone missing, and avoid leaving a remote in a parked car.
Habits that help
Do not leave the overhead door open while you work in the yard, and check side entrances into the garage. Consider a small motion light. See our door frame reinforcement guide and burglary recovery plan.
Questions about a lock or key problem? Apna Locksmith is a Brampton-based mobile locksmith serving Brampton, Vaughan, Caledon, Etobicoke and Halton Hills. Call (289) 406-1500 or see our service areas.