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My front door has a deadbolt, but right next to the knob/deadbolt is a tall narrow window, so that you can see whoever is outside. This is a security risk as anyone could smash that window and open the lock from the outside.

Is there a way to secure a door like this, without removing the window? The one idea I know if is a deadbolt where you need a key to open it even from the inside, but I don't think our code allows this for the front door.

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I have a similar door for my front and back doors of my house and I have Double cylinder door locks on mine. They require a key for inside and out. –  lazoDev Mar 7 '12 at 22:33
How have you secured the rest of the windows in the house? They can just as easily be broken, and become doors themselves. –  Tester101 Mar 7 '12 at 23:15
@Tester101 I agree that I need to look at all the windows, and the patio door. Fortunately some are hard to get to due to fencing and bushes. Just thought the door window was a good topic to ask about. –  The Other Steven Mar 7 '12 at 23:37
Bars or a heavy duty screen could be an option. Even a motion detector with a flood light outside would be a good deterrent. Deterrents make the burglar move on. If they really want to get in, they will get in, but like electricity they like to choose the path of least resistence. –  Jon Raynor Mar 9 '12 at 14:56
Get a deadbolt without an inside latch. Hang the key on a wall away from the window or out of sight completely. It may be a pain to have to get the key every time you want to unlock the door, but it works. –  oscilatingcretin Nov 17 '12 at 0:16

5 Answers 5

up vote 11 down vote accepted


This is a duplicate of my answer from this question.

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that's a pretty tiny hammer –  DA01 Mar 7 '12 at 22:14
Here it is standing up to a baseball bat: That being said, everything is breakable, it's just a matter of time and deterring burglars. Most burglars would opt to not stand there and take their chances for 5min, they will just move to the next house that doesn't have any protection. –  Steven Mar 7 '12 at 22:58

Option A: Alarm system.

Option B: Deadbolt with a captive key feature. The interior knob can be removed turning it into a double cylinder lock. Check with your local codes to see if this is permitted.

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It's rarely permitted in residential settings, but that doesn't stop a lot of people from doing it. Fire code is intended to keep you safe from fire, not keep people out of your house. –  Steven Mar 7 '12 at 20:50
+1 for the alarm system, make sure the alarm company sign is visible. While I've seen option B more than once, i think I would pass. –  uncle brad Mar 7 '12 at 22:02
For some reason the previous owners of my house had installed a double cylinder lock on the door coming in from the garage, but not the front or back doors that have windows next to them within a few inches. I'm not sure what they were thinking. –  Doresoom Mar 8 '12 at 16:17

I had this type of window when I bought my condo. Luckily it was just the right width to replace the single pane of glass with glass bricks. Better security and better insulation.

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If there is only a window on one side, you could get a new door that has the hinge on the other side (or possibly flip your existing door).

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+1 for a unique solution: It wouldn't work for my layout, but clever! –  The Other Steven Nov 19 '12 at 5:14

The best type of lock for that situation would be to get a double sided deadbolt. So if someone where to break the window they would be able to unlock the door, they would still need a key from the inside.

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