How to Block a Door from Opening: Protect Your Home from Forced Entry | By Security Expert Jordan Frankel

If you’re wondering how to block a door from opening, you’re already thinking like a security professional. As someone who’s spent more than two decades helping people protect their homes, I can tell you this: most criminals don’t bother with picking locks—they kick doors in. That’s why understanding how to block a door from the inside is one of the smartest steps you can take to protect your family. 

In this article, I’ll walk you through practical, proven methods to reinforce your doors and stop intruders in their tracks. You’ll learn how to choose the best door brace for home security, what tools actually work, and what’s just hype. Let’s make sure your home isn’t an easy target.

Why Home Invasion Criminals Target Your Front Door

Most people assume a locked door is enough to keep them safe—but for home invasion criminals, it’s barely a speed bump. Statistics show that the front door is the most common point of entry for intruders, with the back door not far behind. In both burglaries and home invasions, doors are often kicked or rammed open within seconds. Home invasion intruders rely on surprise, speed, and your lack of preparation.

Once inside, things get much more dangerous. Unlike burglars, who usually avoid confrontation and search the home for valuables, home invasion criminals intentionally target occupied homes. They use fear and intimidation to force victims to hand over cash, jewelry, or access to a safe—valuables they’d otherwise have to find on their own. Many of these criminals threaten violence as soon as they enter. Some have assaulted or even killed occupants in their effort to get what they want quickly.

A chilling example took place in northwest Oklahoma City. According to a News 9 report, a mother of four shot a man in self-defense after he kicked in her front door late at night. The intruder, recently released from prison, had been lying outside the apartment before forcing his way inside. This real-life incident highlights just how fast a home invasion can escalate—and why reinforcing your front door is so important. A properly installed door brace could have prevented the break-in entirely.

Standard locks and deadbolts aren’t built to handle this kind of force. Many doors, especially in newer homes, are mounted with short screws and weak frames—making them easy to compromise.

Reinforcing the door isn’t about fear—it’s about taking control. When you know how to block a door from opening, you make it far more likely the criminal will give up and move on.

How to Block a Door from the Inside: Door Jammers vs. Door Braces

 

When it comes to keeping intruders out, the goal is simple: stop the door from opening. That means using tools built to handle real-world force—not just look good on paper.

You’ve probably seen door jammers. These portable devices wedge under the doorknob or brace against the base of the door. While they can help in a pinch, many slip or shift under pressure. That’s why I recommend using them as a temporary backup, not your main line of defense.

For lasting protection, you need a security door brace. A high-quality door brace anchors directly to the floor and absorbs the shock from kicks or shoulder strikes. Unlike a standard lock or chain, it physically prevents the door from swinging open. If installed properly, it can make forced entry nearly impossible. Most security door braces are surprisingly affordable. You can purchase most of them online for less than $130.

When selecting a door brace, you want something engineered for extreme resistance. The OnGARD Security Door Brace is a great example. Built from hardened steel, it’s been tested to withstand over 3100 pounds of force. It’s designed for inward-swinging doors and mounts at the base—right where the door is most vulnerable. This type of door brace has been trusted by professionals and tested in real break-in scenarios.

You can also use a security door brace to turn a bedroom or walk-in closet room into a fortified safe space. By installing it on a solid interior door, you create a secure space to retreat to during a home invasion. It’s a simple but powerful way to buy time and protect your family while waiting for help to arrive.

Choosing the Right Door Brace: What Really Matters

 

Not all door braces are created equal—and when your safety is on the line, the last thing you want is a false sense of security. I’ve tested countless products over the years, and I can tell you that design, materials, and installation matter more than flashy packaging or bold claims. 

• Start with materials. Avoid metal braces. The best door braces for home security are made from polypropylene-type materials. Unlike metal or aluminum door braces, polypropylene won’t rust or corrode overtime. They’re built to take a beating—literally. Look for a door brace that can withstand a minimum of 3100 pounds of force. If a product doesn’t list third party laboratory testing, move on. The door brace should also be backed with a lifetime warranty.

• Look at mounting style. Floor-mounted braces offer the strongest resistance because they transfer force directly to the homes foundation. Models that anchor into baseboards or walls tend to fail under high impact. If you’re serious about blocking the front door, floor-mounted is the way to go.

• Pay attention to installation requirements. A good brace shouldn’t take hours to install, but it does need to be anchored securely. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, hire a professional. A poorly installed brace is no better than a doorstop.

• Look for real-world testing and reviews. A strong product will have been independently tested for forced-entry resistance. Check for reviews from law enforcement, military personnel, or security professionals. Their feedback is usually spot-on. 

One of the few products I’ve seen consistently meet all of these standards is the OnGARD Security Door Brace by Global Security Experts, Inc. It’s strong, discreet, and easy to use—and when installed correctly, it can stop even the most determined home invasion criminal. To see how the door brace works, check out this OnGARD demonstration video.

 

Other Ways to Block a Door and Boost Entry Resistance

 

A solid door brace should always be your first line of defense—but don’t stop there. Layered protection is the key to making your home a difficult target. Here are several other ways to block a door from opening and reinforce your entry points: 

• Reinforce the Door Frame: Strengthen both the strike plate (the metal piece on the frame where your deadbolt locks in) and the door hinges by replacing short screws with 2½ to 3-inch ones that anchor into the wall studs. This adds major resistance against forced entry and makes the entire door assembly much harder to kick in.

• Upgrade to a Heavy-Duty Deadbolt: A deadbolt with a one-inch throw bolt and a reinforced strike plate is a must. Choose models tested to ANSI Grade 1 standards—the highest rating for residential locks. While it won’t stop a determined intruder alone, it adds valuable resistance when combined with other reinforcements.

• Secure Outward-Swinging Doors: Use non-removable hinge pins or specialty screws to prevent the door from being lifted off its hinges.

• Block Sliding Glass Doors: Place a sturdy metal or solid-wood rod in the bottom track to stop the door from opening. For added security, apply ShatterGARD BurglarGARD window film to the glass. This innovative film prevents glass from shattering, preventing intruders from entering. It withstands attacks from common weapons like baseball bats, rocks, and bricks.

• Use Portable Security Devices: Wedges, jammers, and foldable door bars are good short-term options, especially for renters or travel. While not as strong as a brace, they can still delay an intruder. 

Also, install a peephole or video doorbell. Situational awareness matters—knowing who’s on the other side of the door is paramount to your safety.

FAQ: Common Questions About Blocking Doors and Home Security

 

Q: What’s the most effective way to block a door from opening?
The most effective way is to install a heavy duty, floor-mounted door brace. These devices are designed to absorb and redirect force, making it extremely difficult for intruders to kick in the door. 

Q: Can I use a door jammer instead of a brace?
You can, but it’s not a substitute for a professionally installed brace. Door jammers are portable and better than nothing, but they can slip or fail under high pressure. They’re great for travel or temporary setups, but I don’t recommend them as your only line of defense at home. 

Q: How can I block a door from the inside without drilling or installing hardware?
If you need a no-tools option, try a heavy-duty wedge, floor bar, or a door security bar that locks into place under the doorknob. These won’t provide the same level of protection as a mounted door brace, but they can still slow an intruder down. 

Q: Will reinforcing my door make it look ugly or stand out?
Not at all. Most modern door braces are discreet and sit flush with the floor when not in use. Reinforcements like strike plates and hinge upgrades are hidden when the door is closed. 

Q: Is it really necessary to go to all this trouble?
If you’ve never been targeted, it’s easy to think it won’t happen to you. But home invasion criminals don’t send warnings. A few smart upgrades now can mean the difference between safety and disaster later. 

Final Thoughts: How to Block a Door from Opening and Take Control of Your Safety

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in over 20 years of home security, it’s this: you can’t wait until something happens to take action. Knowing how to block a door from opening—especially your front door—puts the power back in your hands. It’s one of the simplest, smartest ways to stop home invasion criminals before they ever step foot inside.

The key is layered protection. No single solution works on its own. But together, the right tools can turn a soft target into a hard one. Each layer of security you add makes it harder for criminals to break in—and in most cases, they’ll move on to an easier target.

Blocking your door might sound like a small upgrade, but it could be the most important one you ever make. Don't wait until after a break-in to think about safety. Take action now, stay alert, and make your home a place where intruders fail.