Door Frame Damaged From Break-In

[Tony Thompson]

I bought a duplex. The frame of the back door where the deadbolt goes in is torn to hell from what looks like a break-in. The actual hole where the deadbolt fits in is damaged. The door still locks with the deadbolt, but is very shaky and just looks like crap as well. The damage also has split some of the frame on the inside of the door.

Looks like an interesting project... how do you fix something like this?

[Just Don]

You CAN do as Jon suggested. An easier way is to 'section' out the bad part and install a new section. harder and more important part is preventing from happening again. I saw a guy use 3/8 plate steel behind door frame,,,for dead bolt to throw thru,,, secured well so the guy has to really work to get thru that. basicly breaking the door in half to get in. A high quality lock and a solid core door and he is going to really have a chore of re breaking the door.

so to make a long story short,,,it probably is cheaper and easier to replace the whole door,place the steel while door is out, then use a high quality new door and it looks good too.

OR bubblegum up your old door with a section for 'one more go'.

Prehung is alot easier and more forgiving if this turns into a do-it-yourself project with less than pro skills.