How to Break Down a Door

Imagine it: you wake up to the sound of a screeching alarm to find smoke billowing up through the narrow slot underneath your bedroom door. You make your way out of the room only to see that your house is in flames. You rush to open the door where your loved ones are only to find that the door is locked. There's no time to think, and no other option than to man-up and take out this door. How do you do it?

Ok, so it's an unlikely scenario and hopefully one you'll never have to endure. Nevertheless, emergencies can and do happen. If you are encountered with a situation in which time is of the essence and the only way in/out is through the locked door in front of you, its best to be prepared and know what you need to do.

Thanks to Hollywood, there are all sorts of myths and misconceptions when it comes to knocking down a door, but these can be dispelled with a few simple facts.

Step 1 Explore Other Options

Trying to take out a door with brute strength should be saved as a last resort if at all possible. Not only can this be an expensive thing to do, but you can seriously injure yourself even if you do it correctly. Lets say you've locked yourself out of your house. What other ways in can you think of?

If you have the time, it is best to try to unlock the door first. Call a locksmith and shell out the $35 to get some professional help. If you want to be prepared ahead of time, try checking out Hitch's instructable on lockpicking.

If time is of the essence, look for any small windows that could help you gain entrance to your home. The cost of replacing most windows is usually significantly less than having to install a new door. If this isn't an option, you have little choice but to bust the door down.

Comments

[RSV26]

whos the girl ???

[abadfart]

i have broken down 2 doors in my life... one was fun one was scary

[Furloy]

Make like the Kool-Aid man! OH YEAH!!!!

[Newbreed424]

 Hottie alert.

[Fashim]

But if you lock yourself out of your house and smash your door open wouldnt it be more then calling the locksmith? Also Kicking a door in a Fire is pretty dangerous if the rooms covered in smoke when you kick it all of the fire reaches out to get the air and it gets pretty bad

[lucek]

in situation set out above consider going in via the wall before the door. drywall is pretty easy to brake and ~14" between studs is plenty to enter via. then dry wall is cheep and be replaced by any amateur builder.

[Element1604]

 
Heh, remember that totally awesome scene in Dexter where he crashes trough the burning wall to escape the fire? It almost makes me want to be in a burning building.

[jtobako]

Two things to consider. One, kicking a hollow door anywhere but the very edge is going to trap you foot in the 1/8 inch plywood that makes up the door. Two, it smoke is coming in from under the door, you are dead if you open that door.

[beehard44]

nah, make that substandard, rotting, 1/16inch plywood...

[knex_mepalm]

paper thin door...even easier

[knex_mepalm]

 You can't escape by kicking a door down during a fire. You will die from smoke inhalation through skin or breathing first.  yay!

[beehard44]

lol yay!
hehe, that made my day...

[la-main]

why not escape tru the window. And i dont think u got time to pick a lock while being in a flamin house.

[thematthatter]

The 2nd Infantry Division... defending your freedom and your instructable!