FAQ's (Frequently asked questions)

1. I have a door with glass inserts. Do I need the KIKGARD Shield ?

Even with glass inserts, the overwhelming number of forced entry crimes are through the entry door: it takes less than 6 seconds, only one kick, and usually doesn't even break the glass. Statistics show that criminals rarely try to enter by breaking glass [only 17% of all forced entry crimes] for several reasons:

a. Entering through the door gives them the largest opening of the home to take things out.

b. The sound from kicking in a door goes to the inside of the home with only one "thump".

c. The sound from breaking glass is heard on the exterior of the home, is very distinctive, and draws attention [even in a restaurant – if someone drops a glass, every head turns].

d. Broken glass of a window or door is visible, and anyone passing by sees there is a problem.

2. What happens when someone kicks in a door?

Homebuyers are not informed that exterior door systems are comprised of 3 parts: the door, the lock, and the doorjamb. Therefore, buyers remain under the false impression that the door systems offered are complete – with the doorjambs equal in strength to the door and lock. The building industry knows this is not true. What breaks in a home invasion is the doorjamb – not the door or lock, because of the weakness of wooden doorjambs. Unless your doorjambs are effectively reinforced, all it takes to enter a home is one swift kick!

3. How does the KIKGARD Shield work?

Without the KIKGARD Shield, only ½ inch of wood [where the deadbolt enters the doorjamb to lock your door] has to be broken for an intruder to enter. The KIKGARD Shield is made in a one-piece U-shape of solid steel, that won't bend or break. It encloses the entire width of your whole doorjamb wood, so the intruder would have to break through the whole doorjamb plus the solid steel shield, and no one person can do that. It has been tested to withstand a bearing load of over 14,000 lbs. The strongest kick ever recorded was by a 10^th degree black belt expert in Martial Arts at 460 lbs.

4. Why is a solid wood door and my deadbolt lock not sufficient?

Solid doors and a good quality deadbolt lock are only 2 parts of your door locking system. They must be combined with a reinforced doorjamb, because it is the doorjamb, not the door or lock that breaks when there is a forced entry. Without effective doorjamb reinforcement, even solid steel doors and the best locks available will not stop forced entry, because they still have to break through only ½ inch of doorjamb wood.
[See picture on back page]

5. Should I use the KIKGARD Shield on my doorknob lock and my deadbolt?

Remember – the doorknob latch is not a lock. It is a "latch" with its bolt entering the frame less than 3/8 inch. It is there simply to keep your door closed. Using a KIKGARD here is not necessary. The only way to have a complete door system is to have effective doorjamb reinforcement at your deadbolt. With a one-inch deadbolt lock, reinforced by the solid steel KIKGARD Shield, your door system becomes so strong that forced entry can be virtually eliminated!

6. Is there information on what type individuals are most likely to commit forced entry crimes?

Statistics show that the average burglar is between the ages of 14 and 24. He is not a martial expert; usually has no martial art training at all. These intrusions generally occur on a random basis, usually as an impulse - not some super
well-planned-out crime.
[FBI Crime Statistics]

v A break-in occurs every 13 seconds in the U.S.A. – Most occur during daylight hours

v 80 % of all intruders gain access through an exterior entry door

v The average burglar spends less than 60 seconds attempting entry

v Unless they plan to harm the occupants, they stay inside the home only about 4 minutes

v The average response time from police to an alarm call is - - - 12 minutes

v 38% of all assaults and 60% of all rapes take place during a home invasion

v Loss of property in non-injury break-ins exceeds $3.1 billion dollars every year

7. Can't I use a single flange device or a heavy metal strike plate with long screws?

Neither of these has been shown to be effective. Single flange devices are only as strong as the screws to install them. If you look behind your doorjamb, you'll see that the screws to either device, no matter how long, enter the wall stud only ½ inch away from the inside edge of the wood. The stud is made of soft pine and will easily break away. Heavy metal strike plates are unattractive and only give the perception of security. They are only as strong as the screw installation into the soft pine wood of the wall stud explained above.

8. Will the KIKGARD line up on double locks with 5 ½ or 6 inch centers?

Yes. If you wish, you may stack the KIKGARD Shield and use as many as you like, but remember that the doorknob "latch" is not a lock and does not penetrate your jamb enough to give any security to the door system. [See Question # 5]

9. If someone really wants inside my home, can't they get in it anyway?

As shown above, most intruders will not go to a lot of trouble or make a lot of noise trying to beat down a door, etc. If they can't enter a home within a very short time, they will go someplace else. Most criminals are not professionals, they do not walk around with battering rams and do not usually spend time investigating their chosen locations. If they find a home that is hard to break in to, they will simply go find an easier target. The wisest thing we can do is to make it as difficult as possible to gain forced entry into our homes.

10. Is KIKGARD a patented device?

Yes. KIKGARD is patented under U.S. Patent 6,082,049.

If you have questions that are not addressed here, please call anytime, and let us help. [281] 357-5770

The Shield goes on the back of the doorjamb, so when the trim is installed it is not visible at all.

It completely encloses the whole doorjamb wood where the deadbolt enters the door.

This makes your door system so strong that it virtually turns it into steel!

KIKGARD Shield

strengthens the weakest area of your door system -

where the
deadbolt enters !

There is only ½

inch of wood from where the deadbolt

enters the jamb that
has to be broken to

gain entry .