Door Reinforcement After a Break-In Toronto: Frames, Strikes, Hinges & Locks (2026)

In most residential break-ins in Toronto, nobody picks the lock. The door is kicked or pried, and the part that gives way is the frame around the strike. A typical deadbolt strike is held by two short screws that only go into the door jamb, which is often soft pine less than two centimetres thick. One hard kick splits the jamb, the strike tears out, and the door swings open with the deadbolt still extended.

The second common weak point is the hinge side, where short hinge screws hold a heavy door to that same thin jamb. The third is glass near the lock: a sidelight or door window that can be broken to reach the thumb turn.

On commercial doors, the pattern is different but just as predictable. Out-swinging steel doors are pried at the gap between the door and frame, hinge pins are removed from the outside, or a worn exit device is defeated. Reinforcement targets exactly these points.

Our break-in repair service covers the emergency part: securing, board-up, and repairing split frames and damaged doors. See also door repair after a break-in. Reinforcement is what makes the door stronger than it was before.

Front and back doors

The most effective upgrade for the money is a reinforced strike with long screws on the deadbolt, plus long screws in the hinges. On doors that have already been kicked in, a full-height jamb reinforcement plate spreads the force along the frame so it can't split at the strike again. If the frame is too damaged, it may need repair or replacement. See exterior door frame repair.

Doors with glass

Glass within arm's reach of the lock is a weak point. Laminated glass in the door insert or sidelight cracks without opening a hole. We don't recommend double-cylinder deadbolts that need a key on the inside, because they can trap people in an emergency.

Side and garage entry doors

Side doors along a driveway are often hidden from the street, which is why they're targeted. They get the same strike and hinge upgrades, and often a better door. See back and side door replacement.

Patio and sliding doors

Sliding doors are lifted off the track or forced at the latch. A secondary lock, anti-lift blocks and a working latch make a big difference. See sliding door repair and multi-point lock repair.

Rear steel doors

Out-swinging rear doors get a latch guard over the lock area, security hinges, and a strong exit device that still lets people out from inside. Bent frames are straightened or replaced. See commercial back door repair.

Storefront doors

Aluminum storefront doors are usually forced at the lock or by breaking the glass. A properly adjusted door that latches fully, a good deadlock and a sound frame all matter. Broken glass is replaced the same day or boarded up. See storefront glass door repair.

Exit doors

Required exits must open from inside without a key. Security upgrades on these doors use latch guards, better exit devices and monitoring rather than deadbolts. See panic bar installation.

Access-controlled doors

Doors on electric strikes and mag locks need the frame, strike and power supply working together. A door that doesn't fully close defeats the system. See electric strike repair and access control door repair.

See the residential door repair cost guide and commercial door repair cost guide.

More reading: front door security upgrades, door hardware grades, smart locks on existing doors, door slab replacement and common door problems in the GTA. Services: steel door repair, commercial door repair, residential door repair and emergency door repair.