Most forced entries do not defeat the lock; they split the door frame around it. Door reinforcement fixes that with heavy strike plates screwed into the wall stud, frame and hinge reinforcement, and door guards. It often adds more real security than an expensive new lock.
When to call us
- Your door frame is old, thin or has been repaired before.
- The strike plate is held by short screws.
- A door has been kicked or pried in the past.
- You want extra security for a side, back or basement door.
How the job works
- We inspect the door, frame, hinges and strike.
- We recommend the reinforcement that addresses the weak point.
- Strikes are upgraded with long screws into the stud; frame kits are fitted if needed.
- Door guards or hinge protection are added on request.
- The door is tested for smooth operation.
Where a door actually gives way
Forced entries tend to follow the path of least resistance. On the latch side, that is the jamb around the strike plate. On the hinge side, it is short hinge screws in soft trim. On older doors, it may be the door itself, if it is hollow or has a large glass panel. Reinforcement addresses each of those in turn.
A frame reinforcement kit spreads force along a length of the jamb. Hinge reinforcement replaces short screws with long ones into the stud. Security hinge pins stop the door being lifted off if the hinges are exposed. None of these change how you use the door day to day, and most are invisible once installed.
What affects the price
The dispatcher explains the service call before anyone is sent, and the technician confirms the total with you before starting any work that adds cost. The main price drivers are:
- Strike upgrade versus a full frame kit.
- Door and frame material.
- Hinge-side reinforcement.
- Number of doors.
Hardware we see in Toronto
Heavy-gauge strike plates, full-length frame reinforcement kits, hinge reinforcement, security hinge pins, door guards and wide-angle viewers.
Door Reinforcement in Toronto: local context
Many Toronto houses built in the 1940s to 1960s have softwood frames and short strike screws. Basement apartment entrances added in later renovations are often lighter doors. These are exactly the doors that benefit most from reinforcement.
Where customers ask us for this
What we will and won't do
Reinforcement must never block quick exit. Door guards should be usable from inside without a key.
Frequently asked questions
Is reinforcing the frame better than a new lock?
Often, yes. Kicked doors usually fail at the frame, not the lock.
Will reinforcement change how my door looks?
Most reinforcement is hidden inside the frame or behind the strike.
Can you reinforce a basement apartment entrance?
Yes, and we recommend it.
Related services
Helpful guides
Need door reinforcement help now?
We operate 24/7 from our Toronto base at 901 Yonge Street. Call, describe the door, lock or vehicle, and we will explain the service call and arrival window before anyone is sent.
📞 Call (416) 240-0593