by Robert Fox
Today, we will be discussing the best door security bars and jammers on the market today, as well as answering some of the most frequently asked questions about this topic.
To start with, here are some of the best reviewed:
Contents
Use the hyperlinked table below to help navigate the post.
The theory behind a door security bar is easy to understand: you lock your house/apartment and throw the security bar over the door to make it harder for someone else to open that door. There are many different types of them, but most work by sliding under the frame sufficiently enough to give you peace of mind that it won't be easy for someone to open your door.
The only real problem is that they transfer the security issue to WHEN you return home, not if someone tries to break in while you're gone (which was their original intention). While I never felt too safe without one of these bars, there's no denying that it could be a pain in the butt when you came home late after a long night out.
Not only do you need to try and open the door with your key, but now you have to reach under the bar, find the handle, lift it up high enough for your key to fit in - then pray that the mechanism is working correctly (and not rusted shut) before you can get inside your house.
It's far from a perfect system, but it was better than nothing. And it has been my only home security option for the past 3 years up until very recently…
Ok, so we've already discussed basically the idea behind how a door jammer AKA security bar works, but what exactly makes a top quality door jammer, vs. a mediocre model. Let's take a closer look.
First of all, it's worth noting there are all sorts of different security bars AKA door jammers out there, which function differently.
For instance, here is a door jammer which can be used with both sliding glass patio doors, and solid front doors.
Keep in mind, this one seen above is the same type that can be used for a regular door, except someone just laid it down so it fit in that space and makes it impossible for a burglar to exert enough force to break or remove the security bar that blocks their way.
For sliding doors, people will often use a piece of wood to do the same thing as the bar will do, except the bar is designed to stay in place a lot better. You wouldn't want to use a stick in place of a door jammer on your back door (for example) that could be dislodged with a bit of jiggling, which a thief could do if they could see the stick and see that it isn't really firmly in its place.
Popular models of this kind are made by Brinks, Master Lock, Securityman, and Ideal Security Inc.
There is also the DoorJammer, which looks like this, but functions in a similar fashion.
Most of these door jammers (including the DoorJammer) have things like adjustable bases and some part that grabs onto the door. In the case of the DoorJammer, the part that grabs the door is at the bottom.
The security bars reviewed in this article are rather hefty, due to being made of tough metal, and are designed to do their job with optimal efficiency.
The security bars we will be talking about can be ratcheted into place for a snug fit, to ensure their stability and effectiveness.
Once again, to put it simply, door jammers have one express purpose - to keep someone out of your house.
Image | Product | Price |
Ideal Security Sk110 Patio Door | Price Check | |
Brinks 665-83001 Door Security Bar | Price Check | |
Door Bar Pro Model 36 Steel | Price Check | |
Mace 80115 Mace Big Jammer Door Brace | Price Check |
The Mace Jammer Door Brace is a dual door brace.
By that, we mean that it can be placed under a door knob on a hinged door to stop it from opening, or, the ends can be removed so you can use it to brace your patio door from being slid open.
The adjustable brace allows it to be used with most door knobs.
This door brace is made out of 20 gauge steel. It is a solid design that uses rubber caps instead of cheap plastic like some models on the market.
It also has a collapsible design, which allows it to be easily stored or used while traveling.
One issue that some consumers have with the product is that the rubber cap slides on some floors. A simple way to remedy this, it to put down a rubber backed mat underneath the end of the bar. This will prevent sliding.
This door security bar provides a solution for those worried about the under knob braces sliding on the floor.
The Door Bar Pro Model is designed to mount on your door frame. Installation is simple and should take no longer than 15 minutes.
The Door Bar Pro Model comes with mounting hardware that is screwed into your door frame. The bar then sits in the brackets, securing the inswing door from opening.
This product is manufactured from steel instead of aluminum, making it stronger against attempted break-ins.
The brackets are mounted onto the door using 1/2 inch diameter screws that are 4-3/4 inches long. The bar is adjustable and can fit door widths from 24″ to 48″.
This is a nice option for people that don't want to worry about being able to wedge the other style brace hard enough under the door knob.
You can easily paint each part of the door bar and brackets, helping it to blend in with the colors of your room better.
BRINKS is a name that is quickly recognized in the home security industry.
Their Home Security Door Bar is a basic product that is similar to others on the market. It is adjustable and fits doors from 25 inches to 43 inches in width.
This Brinks door security bar is made out of 20 gauge steel.
The bottom has a pivoting foot that helps to assure a secure fit.
Both ends are removable allowing for the bar to be used on sliding patio doors as well. It is collapsible for easy travel or storage.
The main complaint that consumers have is that the foot is made of plastic instead of rubber, resulting in an issue with sliding.
This can be remedied by placing a piece of rubber under the foot or using a door mat.
The Cocoweb PortBlock Dual-Function bar is high quality and adjustable in many ways. The door security bar can be adjusted from 25″ to 45″.
There are 41 settings for height that are each 1/4″ apart. It is designed out of 20 gauge steel and is solid for its purpose, being able to withstand 350 pounds.
This bar has more adjustment options and is longer than the majority of security bars on the market.
There is a rubber lined foot for the bar to sit in reducing its chance of sliding on your carpet. The foot and the y-attachment at the top are both removable, allowing use in your sliding door track.
The biggest complaint mentioned is receiving the product broken, or having problems with the y-attachment breaking off easily.
Overall by far the majority of consumers were happy with this product and felt safer in their home while using it.
This door security bar is a solid option for patio doors. While some of the bars above can be used for patio doors, this is designed specifically for them.
The bar is designed to be installed in the middle of the door height, which makes it easier for people to use without having to bend over. This makes the product the perfect fit for elderly people with limited mobility.
You can adjust the length anywhere from 25.75″ to 47.5″. The bar is then able to swing up or down to be kept out of the way when you don't need the door secured.
Ideal Security purposely designed the bar to be used in the middle of the door as a visual warning to burglars that the door is secured.
There are many reasons behind to use a security bar which includes:
- Safeguard your door from intruders and burglars.
- Safeguards you and your family members from any sudden mishap like fall down.
- Allows you to stay safe while you sleep by keeping the door closed and secured.
With all these reasons in mind, it is important to ensure that you are buying the best door security bar in your price range.
There are so many options out there when searching for a security bar which makes it hard to find the perfect one. If you don't know what to look for in a security bar, things can get confusing and you'll be left with an ordinary bar that doesn't meet your standards.
Here are some things you need to consider before buying a security bar:
- Security bars come in many different styles, colors, styles and design. Make sure the bar matches the décor of your home. If it doesn't, you can either paint or reupholster it to make it blend in perfectly.
- Make sure the security bar is strong enough to hold its own against any intruder or accidental mishap. The last thing you want is for your bar to break during an emergency situation because it wasn't strong enough.
- A door security bar should be installed securely on both ends of the door. It can never be sturdy if only one end of the door is fitted with a bar.
- Make sure you are able to open and close your door properly. If the door is not closing properly, there's no point in spending money on a security bar because it won't protect your home anyway.
- Once you've found the perfect security bar that fits your needs, it's time to install your bar properly. Most bars are pressure fitted, meaning they can easily detach from the door if not installed properly. Make sure both ends of the door have a secure fit, and you should be good to go!
A door security bar or door jammer / brace is a reinforced metal (steel, aluminum) pole that braces horizontally against any hinged door, one end bracing against the doorknob (with a rubber grabber to securely grasp the knob) and then other end against the floor (with a rubber foot), holding itself in place and preventing any sort of forced entry into your home, by directing the force of an intruder into the ground. These door bars, if they're high quality, will resist hundreds of pounds of force.
Alternately, you can use a door security bar horizontally with a sliding back patio door, like this:
Door jammers are easily adjustable for a variety of lengths, and, for glass doors which are see-through, provide a visual deterrent against burglars, who are generally looking only for easy access into a dwelling and are essentially lazy people, making these bars very effective against them.
The reason these door braces are popular is due to being easy to set up / take down, their relatively low price, when, combined with their effectiveness, can be a less expensive option rather than buying other more expensive security equipment (although we recommend things like deadbolts, cameras, and security lights too, in order to increase overall security).
Door jammers are also very often childproof, and, as such, can be used to keep small kids from exiting a room without supervision. They are great for apartments, homes, or anything type of structure where you want to secure a door from intruders, bringing added peace of mind that is much needed in this day and age.
Now we're going to show exactly why you might find one of these products handy. Watch the following video showing a burglar breaking into a residence simply by kicking a door with moderate force.
Now, imagine there was a security bar on the other side of that door instead of nothing. The force of his kick would have gone into that security bar, which would then transfer the force of the kick into the floor, dispersing it and keeping the door securely closed.
It should be mentioned that if you are using a door jammer on the inside of say, a front door, then you or someone will need to be inside the home, in order to use it. Point being, you can't set it up against a door and leave out that same door, obviously. You'd have to go out the back door, allowing the security bar to protect the front door. If you come back around to your own front door, which is being protected by the jammer, then obviously YOU won't be getting back in either.
Many people have latch locks, or cheap deadbolts which cannot even do their job, which is to keep your door closed against an intruder. This might be due to a heavy duty deadbolt being out of a person's price range, which is unfortunate, since a lightweight lock isn't necessarily going to stop a crook. With the assistance of a door jammer, an intruder has a significantly less chance of being able to kick down your door.
Now watch this next criminal try the same thing, but this time, he doesn't get inside. He does, however, use both his feet and shoulder weight to try and break in to the residence, as burglars often do, although he gives up after a few tries, because the door was sufficiently secured.
Notice how this criminal wasted no time in attempting to break down the door. Criminals are in a hurry because if anyone saw them doing this, they would probably call the cops. They only have a few seconds to try to bust through your door and into your house.
When someone tries to put their weight on a door to break it open, the security bar is there to absorb their weight, making it much, much harder for that brute force tactic to work on a door.
You can make a bar as long as you like and as heavy as you like, but make sure it is sturdy enough to hold up against kicks to the bottom of the door. It is recommended that you get one with rubber padding on the tip, especially if it is designed for indoor use.
There are also pre-made security bars that come in a set of two and have an adjustable locking mechanism. These types of bars give you the convenience to open your door without having to remove them, which you can do in a matter of seconds.
Buddybar Door Jammer Home Security Door Bar - Etsy, eBay
Master Lock 265D Door Security Bar, White - Etsy, eBay
DoorJammer Portable Door Lock Brace for Home Security and Personal Protection (DJ3 - - Etsy, eBay
Doorricade Door Bar - The Best Home Invasion Protection for Your Home - Safe Room - Etsy, eBay
Ideal Security Sliding Patio Door Security Bar with Child-Proof Lock, Extendable, White - Etsy, eBay
Nightlock Security Lock Door Barricade Brushed Nickel - Etsy, eBay
SecurityMan 2 in 1 Door Security Bar & Sliding Door Security Bar (2 Pack) - Kick Proof - Etsy, eBay
About Robert Fox
Rob Fox is a former hydro worker who used to teach self defence in Miami for 10 years. He's currently enjoying his retirement, playing cribbage and golf with his buddies, locksmithing and home security in his spare time. Rob is an avid reader, and has even written a few books on the subject of self defence.
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