Is Your Door Really Secure? Why Fort Bend Homes Need Reinforced Entry Points

Fort Bend County has experienced explosive growth in recent years, with new subdivisions, rural developments, and housing expansions rapidly transforming quiet areas into active, high-traffic neighborhoods. What was once a sleepy stretch of countryside is now home to bustling communities, countless delivery drivers, contractors, and new residents moving in every day.

While this growth brings economic opportunity and community development, it also introduces new risks — including a rise in property crimes and home break-ins. Local law enforcement data and neighborhood forums across areas like Needville, Richmond, and Rosenberg reflect a growing concern: crimes of opportunity are no longer limited to urban centers.

According to a report by ABC13, Fort Bend County has seen an uptick in crimes such as burglary and theft in recent years. Additionally, the Fort Bend County Clerk’s office has highlighted the increasing threat of property theft, prompting the launch of a Property Fraud Alert program to help residents protect their homes.

Home security isn’t just a big-city issue anymore. It’s a real and growing concern for families across Fort Bend, especially in newer neighborhoods where homes are built quickly — and often with budget-grade hardware.

You might be surprised to learn that most home invasions don’t involve picking locks or smashing windows. Instead, intruders simply kick the door in — taking advantage of a weak point that many homeowners overlook: the strike plate on your door frame.

At Fort Bend Home & Lawn Services, we specialize in helping local homeowners address this vulnerability with professional deadbolt installation and reinforced strike plate upgrades that dramatically improve your door’s ability to resist forced entry — without breaking the bank.

What’s a Strike Plate — and Why Does It Matter?

A strike plate is a metal plate affixed to your door frame, designed to catch and hold the latch or bolt of your door lock. While it might seem like a minor component, its role in home security is pivotal. Standard strike plates, often installed with short screws, can easily be compromised during forced entry attempts, such as kick-ins. Upgrading to a reinforced strike plate with longer screws can significantly enhance your door’s resistance to such attacks.

Key Benefits of Reinforced Strike Plates:

• Enhanced Security: Distributes the force of a kick or impact over a larger area, reducing the likelihood of the door frame splitting.
• Deeper Anchoring: Longer screws penetrate deeper into the wall stud, providing a sturdier hold than standard short screws.
• Durability: Made from robust materials like steel, these plates are designed to withstand significant force.

Top-Rated Reinforced Strike Plates:

• Prime-Line U 10750 Brass Lock and Door Reinforcement Plate for 1-3/4 In. Thick Doors, Bronze Finish: This door reinforcer is designed to strengthen and repair wood or metal doors. Its steel construction not only adds security but also complements various door finishes.
• Defender Security U 10827 Door Reinforcement Lock: A versatile reinforcement lock that adds an extra layer of security to your door. Its aluminum finish offers a sleek appearance while ensuring durability.
• Prime-Line MP10385 Max Security Combo Strike, 1-5/8 In. x 11 In., Steel, Satin Nickel: Known for its high-quality security products, Prime-Line’s strike plate is designed for maximum strength and reliability and provides a modern look that matches most door hardware.

Investing in a reinforced strike plate is a simple yet effective step toward enhancing your home’s security. It’s a cost-effective upgrade that can provide peace of mind, knowing that your doors are better equipped to withstand forced entry attempts.

Builder-Grade Locks Aren’t Built for Security

Most homeowners don’t realize that the locks installed in newly built homes — or even in many remodels — are often selected for cost-efficiency, not strength. These are what we call builder-grade locks: the minimum standard for function, but far from ideal when it comes to real-world security.

These locks often have:

• Hollow or lightweight internal components
• Inadequate bolt length, allowing the door to be jimmied open
• Flimsy strike plates and short screws that don’t anchor into the door framing
• Standardized keys, sometimes duplicated across multiple homes in a development

While they might look solid from the outside, they’re frequently the first point of failure during a break-in. Many of these locks can be forced open with a screwdriver, credit card, or — more commonly — by simply kicking the door near the knob.

If your exterior doors only have a doorknob lock with no deadbolt, you’re relying on a locking mechanism that’s easy to bypass in seconds.

Recommended Deadbolt Upgrades:

• Kwikset 980 Single Cylinder Deadbolt: Reliable and widely used, this deadbolt offers SmartKey rekey technology and comes in multiple finishes like satin nickel, bronze, and brass.
• Schlage B60N Single Cylinder Deadbolt: ANSI Grade 1 rated (the highest residential security rating), this lock is made with solid metal construction and installs easily.

Pro Tip: For best results, always pair your upgraded deadbolt with a reinforced strike plate and 3″ mounting screws that reach the door frame’s studs.

Even the best lock is only as strong as the hardware surrounding it — which is why deadbolt and strike plate upgrades should go hand in hand.

Our Door Security Services

At Fort Bend Home & Lawn Services, we understand that every home is different — but every homeowner deserves to feel safe.

That’s why we offer simple, affordable, and effective upgrades designed to strengthen your doorways and protect your entry points. Whether you’re in a new-build subdivision or a 30-year-old ranch-style home, these enhancements can be installed in under an hour — and make a world of difference.

Here’s what we offer:

• Deadbolt Installation: If your door doesn’t currently have a deadbolt, we’ll professionally drill and install one that fits your door type and frame. This includes clean boring through the door and jamb, followed by mounting the new lock hardware.
• Reinforced Strike Plate Installation: We remove the standard strike plate and replace it with a heavy-duty version secured using 3-inch screws that anchor into the structural framing — not just the trim.
• Deadbolt + Strike Plate Security Bundle: Get both services together for full front door reinforcement at a discounted rate. This is our most popular option and offers the best overall value for homeowners looking for a quick security upgrade.

Why This Matters More Than Ever in Fort Bend County

As more families move to Fort Bend County and the line between suburban and rural continues to blur, it’s important to recognize that crime doesn’t follow old boundaries. Once considered “off the radar,” areas like Needville, Beasley, and Fairchilds have seen a steady increase in property-related incidents — especially in new-build neighborhoods where security hasn’t yet caught up with growth.

Reports like this breakdown by ABC13 reveal that theft and burglary are on the rise across the county, while the Fort Bend County Clerk’s Property Fraud Alert underscores just how critical it is to be proactive about property protection.

It’s not just about major crime — it’s about opportunity. Unlocked gates. Weak doors. Cheap locks. These are the things that make one house more appealing than another to someone scoping out an easy target.

And with so many homes being built quickly to meet demand, shortcuts in construction are common — especially when it comes to door hardware. The combination of rapid growth, predictable routines, and basic security setups creates a perfect storm.

A reinforced door doesn’t just protect your belongings — it protects your family. And taking action now could prevent a traumatic experience later.

Ready to Reinforce Your Doors?

Security doesn’t have to be complicated — and it shouldn’t be expensive. At Fort Bend Home & Lawn Services, we make it easy for homeowners to take meaningful steps toward a safer home.

Whether you’re looking to protect your family, your property, or simply gain peace of mind, our door security services are a fast, affordable solution. With professional deadbolt installation, reinforced strike plates, and helpful guidance every step of the way, we’ll make sure your entry points are no longer the weakest part of your home.

Here’s how to get started:

• Visit our Contact Page to schedule a service or ask a question
• Mention this blog post to receive our security upgrade bundle pricing
• Let me do the rest — I’ll bring the tools and handle everything

If you’re a DIYer and prefer to install your own upgrades, we still recommend quality parts like the Schlage B60N Deadbolt and heavy-duty strike plates with 3-inch screws for maximum protection.

But if you’d rather skip the guesswork — I’m here, I’m local, and I’m ready to help.

Let’s make your front door a line of defense — not a vulnerability.