In the course of my work, I often find myself beefing up the security features on entry doors. In addition to adding a deadbolt, I like to add a reinforced deadbolt strike plate. I attach it, and the door hinges, with 3-in. screws.
Some doors are hung with their hinge pins vulnerable to the outside, inviting a break-in. Rather than resort to unsightly pins that protrude from the door jamb, I simply add (or replace) a hinge mid-height on the door with a fixed-pin hinge. Once this hinge is installed with 3-in. screws, the edge of the door is secure from inside or out. A carpenter needing to remove the door simply removes the screws from one leaf, and then has the convenience of two loose pin hinges while planing, or re-hanging the door. Once those screws are back in, the door is there to stay.
Kurt Lavenson, Berkeley, CA
Edited and Illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #31
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If you're serious about resisting forced entry (like if you live in NYC,) it's important to reinforce the jamb too. No sense having a padlock on one side and a paper clip on the other.
One of the simplest ways is to remove the trim on the latch side, then mortise the jamb on both exposed sides to accept a 2 x 2 1/8 steel angle, which can be countersunk and screwed to the jack and king studs. Then scribe the strike openings for the latch and deadbolt and re-install the trim. The angle should be at least 24". (Notice I said simple, not easy.)
There are commercial versions available too, e.g., https://www.homedepot.com/p/Jamb-Repair-and-Reinforcement-Kit-59-1-2-in-Installed-Steel-Construction-White-U-11026/204254635