Why Metal Doors Still Get Broken Into

Many homeowners believe that installing a metal door automatically makes their property secure. After all, metal sounds stronger than wood. It feels solid, heavy, and impenetrable. But the reality is surprising: metal doors still get broken into every day.

The reason is simple. A door is only as strong as its weakest component. And in most break-ins involving metal doors, the door itself is not the part that fails.

Understanding how and why metal doors are compromised can help you avoid common security mistakes and strengthen your entire entry system—not just the surface.

What Happens If You Ignore a Loose Door Lock

The Door Is Strong, But the Frame Is Often Weak

One of the most common reasons metal doors fail during forced entry has nothing to do with the metal slab itself. The surrounding door frame is usually made of wood or lightweight material.

When a burglar kicks or pries a door, the force is directed at the strike plate and frame. If the frame splits, cracks, or pulls away from the wall, the metal door swings open intact.

In many cases, the door remains perfectly usable afterward—but the frame is destroyed. The strength of the metal door becomes irrelevant because the structure holding it gave way.

Low-Quality Locks Undermine Metal Door Security

A metal door paired with a weak lock is like a vault door secured with a toy latch. Unfortunately, many homes and rental properties use basic, builder-grade locks even on steel doors.

If the deadbolt has a short throw, the screws are too small, or the strike plate is thin, the lock can fail under pressure. Some burglars do not attack the door panel at all—they attack the locking mechanism.

Even high-quality metal doors cannot compensate for poorly installed or low-grade locking hardware.

Hollow Metal Doors Are Not Solid Steel

Many residential metal doors are not solid slabs of steel. They are hollow-core doors with a thin steel outer shell and insulating material inside.

While they are stronger than standard hollow wooden doors, they are not impenetrable. Under extreme force or with the right tools, the outer layer can bend, warp, or separate from internal components.

Homeowners often assume “metal” means indestructible. In reality, construction type matters significantly.

Improper Installation Weakens the Entire Entry Point

Even the strongest door can fail if it’s installed incorrectly.

Common installation issues include misaligned frames, inadequate anchoring into wall studs, short screws in hinges, and improperly fitted strike plates. These small mistakes dramatically reduce resistance to forced entry.

A burglar doesn’t need to destroy the door—they only need to exploit improper installation.

Professional installation ensures that the door, hinges, frame, and lock work together as a reinforced unit.

Hinges and Hardware Are Common Attack Points

When evaluating a metal door, most homeowners focus only on the deadbolt. However, hinges are equally important.

If hinges are exposed and lack security pins, intruders can remove hinge pins and detach the door from the frame. In other cases, weak hinge screws allow the door to pull free under force.

Reinforced hinges and long screws anchored into structural framing significantly improve security.

Glass Panels in Metal Doors Create Vulnerabilities

Many modern metal doors include decorative or functional glass inserts. While visually appealing, glass panels create another point of weakness.

If glass is not impact-resistant, it can be shattered, allowing an intruder to reach inside and unlock the door manually. Even a strong metal slab cannot compensate for unprotected glass nearby.

Security film, reinforced glass, or double-cylinder deadbolts are often necessary in these situations.

The Myth of “Kick-Proof” Metal Doors

It’s true that metal doors resist kicking better than standard wooden doors. However, no residential door is completely kick-proof.

Forced entry often targets the latch area rather than the center of the door. When enough force is applied to a weak strike plate or frame, even a metal door can open quickly.

The goal of security is not invincibility. It is delay and deterrence. A properly reinforced entry system increases the time and effort required, often causing burglars to abandon the attempt.

Why Burglars Don’t Always Attack the Door Directly

Professional criminals assess the entire property, not just the door material. If windows are unprotected, garage doors are weak, or sliding doors are unsecured, the metal front door becomes irrelevant.

Security is holistic. Focusing on the door slab alone creates a false sense of safety while other vulnerabilities remain exposed.

Weather and Wear Can Weaken Metal Doors Over Time

Metal doors are durable, but they are not immune to wear. Rust, corrosion, hinge sagging, and frame shifting can gradually weaken structural integrity.

Over time, small alignment issues can prevent the deadbolt from fully engaging. This reduces the effectiveness of even high-quality locks.

Routine inspection ensures that aging hardware does not silently reduce your protection.

Why Your Door Unlocks but Won’t Lock Again

Reinforcing a Metal Door the Right Way

To truly secure a metal door, reinforcement must go beyond surface strength.

Strengthening the frame with longer screws anchored into wall studs dramatically increases resistance. Upgrading to a high-security deadbolt with reinforced strike plates improves latch stability. Installing hinge security pins prevents removal from the hinge side.

When these elements work together, the metal door becomes part of a comprehensive security system rather than a standalone barrier.

The Real Reason Metal Doors Still Get Broken Into

Metal doors fail not because metal is weak, but because security is only as strong as the weakest link.

In most break-ins, the vulnerability lies in the frame, hardware, installation quality, or surrounding structure—not the metal panel itself.

Homeowners who rely solely on the material of the door often overlook these critical components.

How Brothers Locksmith Strengthens Metal Door Security

At Brothers Locksmith, we evaluate the entire entry point—not just the door surface. We inspect frames, hinges, strike plates, and deadbolts to ensure every component reinforces the next.

Upgrading hardware, reinforcing mounting points, and correcting installation flaws can dramatically improve resistance to forced entry.

Because real security isn’t about what your door is made of—it’s about how everything works together.

Final Thoughts: Metal Doors Are Strong, But Not Invincible

Metal doors provide excellent durability and improved resistance compared to standard wooden doors. However, they are not immune to break-ins.

True protection requires strong locks, reinforced frames, professional installation, and regular inspection.

If you want your metal door to actually function as a security asset rather than a false comfort, it’s important to address the hidden weaknesses that burglars look for.