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Feeling safe in your own home is a big deal, which is why there are so many innovations meant to make your home more secure. From the simple locks and keys to top-rated home security cameras and smart home security systems, safety measures have certainly evolved over time and become far more complex. If you are looking for some truly effective devices, though, you may not need the very latest inventions. Instead, you may make your home safer by turning to a nearly forgotten but still available low-tech device designed to prevent intruders: The Door Club home security system.
The Door Club was created in the early 1990s by the brand Winner International, which had previously invented a car security device called The Club. The Door Club features an anchoring piece that is installed into the flooring on the inside of the door, a steel piece that fits into the anchoring piece and acts as the doorstop, a metal plate that mounts to the door to protect it from the doorstop, and a matching metal hook to hold the doorstop when it is not in use.
With finishes in shiny brass, antique brass, or white, the Door Club gives off a lovely vintage vibe today, but even more impressive are the claims about its effectiveness. The Door Club was advertised as being able to withstand over 2 tons of force and being much stronger than regular locks or deadbolts. While lacking the bells and whistles of more recent security systems, The Door Club did help protect homes, and it looked good while doing it. If the idea of this security device is appealing, you’ll be pleased to learn that you can still buy the Door Club system.
You can still get the Door Club today, but should you?
Not only can you still buy the original Door Club system, but you can also find devices that copy the same idea with different styles. For those who love the vintage style, the Door Club can be found online for about $30 at Home Depot, and you might even be able to snag one from a thrift store for less if you are lucky. When buying an older one, you may benefit from learning how to clean brass hardware without causing damage to get the shine you want.
@theprofessionalmagpie I’m in love with all things vintage and antique door related. This door club is not only useful, it is also elegant and pleasing to the eye! #vintage #antique #1990 #90s #door #doorclub #lock #lockingmechanisms #aesthetic #luxury
If the traditional style of the Door Club isn’t quite your vintage style, then the old-school look of a device like the Nightlock residential lockdown system may better fit your aesthetic. This device has a lower profile but still anchors into the floor to help protect your door. It also works on doors that swing outward, giving it an advantage over the Door Club. Its disadvantage, however, is price, as it costs $75.
Before you start searching for doorstop-style locks like these, though, you should be aware of the risks and know how to choose the best security system for your home. You may have already considered their potential to become tripping hazards, but there is also a far worse potential issue. This barricade style of lock often violates fire codes because it may slow or prevent people from evacuating during an emergency. Carefully consider your home and lifestyle before installing any outdated and potentially non-compliant home security.
