One of the ways owners can secure their doors is by using a door security bar.
Home security is a tricky subject that should never be taken lightly. In addition, it is also not an easy task, seeing how there is a huge number of different little caveats and details that should be taken into consideration.
For example, the type of flooring you have can affect the performance of some home security equipment like your door security bars.
Do door security bars work on carpet? Door security bars work on different types of floors, including carpet. That being said, some door security bars may not work well on some carpets depending on the type of carpet, and the door security bar’s built quality, type of foot, and locking mechanisms.
With so many different ways of protecting your home, it can be challenging to find out what works and what doesn’t work—especially since not all homes are created equal.
If you want to find out more about how well door security bars work on carpeted floors, the pros, cons, and what you can do about it, continue reading below.
How Do Door Security Bars Work?
Door security bars (also known as door jammers or door stoppers) are a fairly popular way of securing an inward-opening door from the inside. They are economical and easy to set up.
However, homeowners can stumble upon a few different variations of door security bars, which also vary in the ways they work.
Standard Door Security Bars
The standard and most commonly found door security bars look like a long telescopic pipe. They are adjustable and can fit a variety of different doors. The door security bar is placed on the floor and wedged against the door’s handle.
On one end of the bar, there are two prongs or a hook that is placed against the door handle and, on the other end of the bar, there is a rubber foot that is placed on the floor.
When somebody tries to push on the door from the outside, the bar transfers that force to the ground preventing the door from opening. The bar’s efficacy is determined by the amount of friction generated between the floor and the rubber foot and the sturdiness of the bar, door, and door handle.
Although a door security bar like this will not make the door unbreakable, it does provide an extra layer of security against break-ins.
These types of bars can often be used on sliding doors too.
Horizontal Door Security Bars
Horizontal door security bars are usually placed horizontally across the door and are locked in place by two brackets.
Horizontal door security bars can be very sturdy depending on how they are installed. They can be used on a number of different door types, including double doors and sliding doors.
However, since horizontal door security bars don’t come in contact with the flooring, they won’t be of particular interest to us in this article.
Door Wedges
There are also door wedges or stoppers. Door wedges and stoppers are usually small devices that look like a small wedge placed beneath the door.
To a certain level, they work in an identical way to door security bars—meaning they can be used to keep a door open or closed and often provide excellent protection against break-ins. And the main way they work is through the principle of friction.
However, although people often use them interchangeably, they should not be mistaken for door security bars.
On What Types of Flooring Do Door Security Bars Work Best?
Of particular interest to us would be the standard door security bars and door wedges as these are the types of door security bars that can be affected by the type of flooring you have.
Usually, most security bars have a rubber encased foot that will provide a decent grip against most floors. However, the rubber will not always provide the best traction, depending on its type and quality.
Door security bars usually perform best on hard grippy surfaces like concrete. On the other hand, they may not always perform well on slick surfaces like hardwood, tile, and linoleum.
On such surfaces, it is recommended to place a small silicone hot pad or rubber shelf liner to prevent the door security bar from sliding or falling down.
On carpet, most door security bars do not work well, while others can provide good levels of security depending on the type of carpet and the door security bar’s foot.
That being said, the type of flooring is only part of the equation as the door security bar’s built quality and the angle at which the bar is propped up against the door also play a significant role in how effective the bar will be. Usually, most security bars are placed 15 to 18 inches from the base of the door. Placing the bar too far or too close to the door can compromise its effectiveness.
Does the Type of Carpet Affect the Door Security Bar’s Effectiveness?
Carpeted floors can affect the door security bar’s effectiveness depending on the type of the bar’s foot. Door security bars with larger rubber-coated feet usually work well on all surfaces and even on carpeted floors.
However, the carpet thickness can play an important role in how well the door security bar performs. Thicker carpets can lead to less traction due to the bigger leeway created by the carpet’s extra padding.
Some door security bars can be directly screwed to the floor. Some may have a swivel design, while others may be a brace-type. In these cases, the flooring type will not be that important as long as the bracket has been correctly mounted. However, this involves drilling, and on top of that, the bracket will be sticking out of the ground, which not all homeowners will be particularly fond of.
On the other hand, most door wedges, due to their smaller frame, slicker, and lightweight design, will not work well on carpeted floors.
Do All Door Security Bars Work on Carpet?
The majority of door security bars do not work well on carpet as they need a surface that provides more friction. Carpeted floors do not provide enough friction and thus compromise most door security bars’ effectiveness, which may be rendered useless with a few stronger pushes on the door.
However, this does not mean all security bars don’t work on carpeted floors. Door security doors that are directly screwed to the floor or certain models that have a sturdier and more grippy foot can work well on thin carpets. Thick carpets may still pose some issues, though.
What Are the Best Door Security Bars That Work on Carpet?
Choosing the right door security bar for your home can be a tricky task—especially if you have a carpeted floor. However, there are a few good, tried, and tested models that can work exceptionally well on carpet.
Usually, you get what you pay for.
And this old adage holds true here as well.
This door security bar by BuddyBar on Amazon is more expensive than other door security bars, but the extra cost is well justified. The steel frame and the latching mechanism are as tough as they come. Having no plastic parts, this door security bar can withstand up to 2,560 lbs of force. The foot is large and covered with rubber coating for optimal traction on all types of surfaces, including carpeted floors.
Of course, there are also some cheaper door security bars, but most of them are not really sturdy enough, and some may even completely collapse when subjected to a slightly stronger force. This can be dangerous—especially since many people would use them for security.
If you are looking for a good budget-friendly door security bar, then this one by South Main Hardware is a good option. It works on carpet but is not as tough as the one by BuddyBar. That being said, this bar is an excellent choice for sliding doors.
If you are looking for something minimalistic and with a smaller profile, then there are some door wedges that, thanks to their different design, work well on carpeted floors.
For example, this door wedge by ZOORON on Amazon, which is made of stainless steel and heavy-duty rubber. The jagged rubber surface provides excellent friction with carpet and will be able to keep even heavier doors closed (or open depending on your needs).
