Security chain suggestions
June 4, 2019 9:37 AM Subscribe
I want to get a security chain (or something) for my apartment door because maintenance knocked as they were walking in while I was home sick last week. It made me uncomfortable. As of now there is just a deadbolt. Unfortunately, my door frame is metal (really) and I can't get something like this. What can I get instead to secure the door better while I'm inside?
I don't so much care if this is a violation of my lease, so please don't bring that up. Alternately, if it is possible to install something like a chain lock outside the frame somehow, please let me know that too.
I don't so much care if this is a violation of my lease, so please don't bring that up. Alternately, if it is possible to install something like a chain lock outside the frame somehow, please let me know that too.
I can see no reason why a standard security chain couldn't be fixed to a metal doorframe, or even to a metal door. You'd just drill and tap holes for fixing bolts instead of using wood screws, and it should actually end up stronger.
Can you post a pic of the inside of your door that would illustrate the difficulty?
posted by flabdablet at 9:58 AM on June 4, 2019
Can you post a pic of the inside of your door that would illustrate the difficulty?
posted by flabdablet at 9:58 AM on June 4, 2019
Can you use those 3M command strip to stick the frame part to the frame? It wouldn't stop someone from breaking in, but it might be strong enough to stop the maintenance guy from barging in.
posted by natabat at 10:00 AM on June 4, 2019
posted by natabat at 10:00 AM on June 4, 2019
Response by poster: flabdablet: i don't have the tools to drill through metal, and don't want to buy them.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 10:03 AM on June 4, 2019
posted by misanthropicsarah at 10:03 AM on June 4, 2019
Get a door club. It wedges under the knob and braces against the floor. No tools needed, and they're around $20.
posted by ananci at 10:07 AM on June 4, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by ananci at 10:07 AM on June 4, 2019 [6 favorites]
For this situation (not letting people with keys enter until *after* you've responded to their knock), a security door stop should be sufficient, right? Or the sort of "door jammers" which function sort of like those steeringwheel locks or like the chair under the doorknob you see in movies all the time).
posted by crush at 10:08 AM on June 4, 2019
posted by crush at 10:08 AM on June 4, 2019
No drilling require door lock. There are a few different makes & models that work on similar lines to this out there, doesn't work on all doors as far as as I have heard a lot depends on the size of the gap in the door.
posted by wwax at 10:09 AM on June 4, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by wwax at 10:09 AM on June 4, 2019 [3 favorites]
i don't have the tools to drill through metal, and don't want to buy them
Drilling into steel doesn't need specialist tools; any friend with an ordinary power drill could do it for you. That said, those no-drill locks that wwax linked to look like just the ticket.
posted by flabdablet at 10:17 AM on June 4, 2019
Drilling into steel doesn't need specialist tools; any friend with an ordinary power drill could do it for you. That said, those no-drill locks that wwax linked to look like just the ticket.
posted by flabdablet at 10:17 AM on June 4, 2019
Get a rubber door stop and push it under the door from the inside. Cheap and easy.
posted by Carol Anne at 10:29 AM on June 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Carol Anne at 10:29 AM on June 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
This item fits under the door knob to keep the door from being opened from the outside. Users report it can be used on either hardwood floors or carpet. Made by Brinks, has a lifetime warranty and costs $22 from Amazon. I haven't tried it but I would definitely try it if I were in your situation.
posted by Gino on the Meta at 11:05 AM on June 4, 2019
posted by Gino on the Meta at 11:05 AM on June 4, 2019
Seconding the low-tech door stop suggested by Carol Anne.
They work even better if someone is trying to open the quickly/ aggressively.
Unobtrusive, and easy to remember to kick the door stop under the door after you lock it behind you when you return home. Easy to kick the door stop away when you're leaving. Also looks totally innocuous if you're worred about being judged.
posted by porpoise at 4:05 PM on June 4, 2019
They work even better if someone is trying to open the quickly/ aggressively.
Unobtrusive, and easy to remember to kick the door stop under the door after you lock it behind you when you return home. Easy to kick the door stop away when you're leaving. Also looks totally innocuous if you're worred about being judged.
posted by porpoise at 4:05 PM on June 4, 2019
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Captain_Science at 9:43 AM on June 4, 2019 [1 favorite]