Do you want your front door to look inviting… without keeping your house wide open for burglars to wander right in?
The front entrance of your house should welcome visitors inside… while telling every burglar to stay away.
But for most homeowners, it’s one or the other. You either load up on curb appeal… Or barricade your entrance until it looks like a prison portal.
What if you could do both?
Creating a home entrance that’s both secure and welcoming is totally possible. In fact, adding a residential intercom system is one of the best places to start.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Why The Front Entrance To Your Home Is Vulnerable
- The Front Door Is The First Thing Burglars Try
- Adding A Residential Intercom System Helps
- Smart Home Design Can Help Secure Your Entrance
- Top Security Features That Look Great
Why The Front Entrance To Your Home Is Vulnerable
When someone pulls up to your home, the first thing they see is your front door. But that’s not who you want to think about first.
Burglars see your front entrance too.
34% of burglars enter homes through the front door. They just walk right up to your house and kick it open. That makes your front entrance the most vulnerable point of your home.
Here’s the scary part…
Homes without security systems are 300% more likely to be burglarized. So if your front entrance doesn’t have some sort of security feature, you’re begging for trouble.
The good news? You can design your front entrance to look warm and welcoming while keeping a tight security grip behind the scenes. Sort of like putting a velvet glove over an iron fist.
The Front Door Is The First Thing Burglars Try
One of the best upgrades you can make to your front entrance starts right at your door: add a residential intercom system.
Sure, you could always open the door and hope for the best when someone rings your bell. But with an intercom system you get to see and speak with whoever’s on the other side first.
Why does this matter?
Because now you’re in complete control of who goes in and who stays out. No more opening your door to a stranger. No more worrying who’s at your door while you’re upstairs or hanging out in the backyard.
Thanks to technology, these systems have come a long way in recent years. You can now find video intercom access control features that offer visual, audio and remote unlocking all rolled into one easy device. Homeowners can now check who’s at their door, talk to package delivery drivers and even unlock the door from their phone.
Sound handy?
Not only that, but residential intercom systems don’t have to look cheap or bulky. You can find many door station options that are slim and modern, fitting right into your entrance design.
That way you get maximum security without compromising the style of your home’s entrance.
Smart Home Design Can Help Secure Your Entrance
Security cameras and high-tech upgrades are great, but there’s plenty of smart design tactics you can use to secure your front entrance. Here are some that work:
Lighting
This one may seem pretty obvious, but lighting is super important.
Good lighting around your entrance not only makes visitors feel welcome, but it also eliminates the shady hiding spots criminals love to lurk in. Consider installing motion-sensor lighting too. That way whenever someone approaches your door, your lights pop on automatically.
Pro tip: Don’t go overboard with overly bright white lights. You want lighting that’s warm and welcoming, not blinding. Wall-mounted fixtures and pathway lights are a great option for most home entrances.
Sightlines
Another thing that may sound like a no-brainer, but landscaping plays a huge role in home security.
Don’t let bushes or tall hedges near your entrance act as the perfect hiding spot for intruders. Keep your landscaping trimmed and to a minimum around your front door. You want to give the neighbors and people walking on the street clear sightlines of your entrance. If criminals feel they can be seen, they’re less likely to approach.
Door Quality
It should go without saying, but you’d be surprised how many hollow core doors landlords and homeowners have (these can be kicked in within seconds).
If your front door doesn’t have a solid core or metal reinforcement, upgrade ASAP. Add a quality deadbolt to the mix and you have yourself one strong entrance. Everything else you put in place to secure your entrance starts with door quality.
Top Security Features That Look Great
Alright, so you’ve designed the perfect welcoming entrance that looks and feels secure. Now it’s time to add some security reinforcements that match.
Don’t worry, they don’t all come in the eye-screeching, pink, foil nightmare security camera design.
Check these features out:
Smart Locks
Keyless entry smart locks are everywhere these days. Not only do they offer clean, modern aesthetics, but you’ll never have to worry about losing your keys again. Hoping a repairman won’t hide your spare key under the mat? Smart locks got you covered.
Video Doorbells
If you really want to upgrade your entrance security, add a video doorbell. This nifty little gadget allows you to see, hear, and speak to anyone at your door all from your phone or screen attached to your door. Not only that, but they’re tiny and fit perfectly beside your front entrance.
Residential Intercom Systems
These get mentioned twice and here’s why. A residential intercom system is one of the best ways to control who enters your home. Not only do they allow you to see and speak with visitors before you open the door, but the newer models are sleek and blend right into your home’s entrance.
Security Cameras
Small, simple cameras installed near your entrance are perfect for recording 24/7 activity without guests feeling like they’re being watched. Pick a camera that’s discreet and unassuming.
Door Reinforcement
Door jambs are one of the weakest points during a home invasion. Burglars will kick your door down or break the lock to gain access. Add a door sleeve to reinforce your door and make it way harder to break down.
When used together and installed as part of your overall entrance design, these features won’t feel out of place. They’ll look like they belong there and your visitors will never know the house is watching over them.
But every would-be burglar that approaches will hear about it.
Bringing It All Together
Home entrance security all comes down to one thing:
Don’t let your security show.
The best entrances keep their security measures hidden behind attractive designs. Everyone who visits loves the warm and welcoming atmosphere. Any intruders that stumble upon your home will see things very differently.
Here’s your quick take away:
- The front entrance is your home’s weakest security point. Burglars know this and will try the front door every time.
- Residential intercom systems allow you to see and speak with who’s at your door before you open it.
- Motion-sensor lighting, trimming your bushes and installing a solid front door are simple design tactics that improve security.
- Small security cameras, smart locks, and video doorbells are discreet security upgrades you should consider.
- When planning your entrance security, try to integrate your tech as part of your overall design. Keep walkways clear, use door station equipment that complements your entry decor and install security cameras that match your house’s color.
By layering on security and strengthening your home’s weakest points, you can achieve a beautiful entrance that feels safe and secure.
Don’t feel like you have to compromise one for the other.