If you were broken into recently and want to upgrade your door security then you need to know what options are open to you.
A high percentage of burglars gain access by forcing a door. If you wish to upgrade the security common sense would tell you should start with the access doors. Wooden doors are reasonably strong but if attacked the frame is usually the part of the door set that will fail first. In the case of PVC doors, with enough time they can be forced open with a crowbar, even if fitted with the multi point locking. The central panel on a PVC door can be considered relatively weak as it can be shoved in with a heavy object.
Measures can be taken to strengthen existing doors making them more secure. Existing wooden doors, for instance, can be strengthened by adding additional locks. Also fixing steel reinforcement bar on the frame, at the lock keeper positions, with bolts that go right through the framing, will help. On the hinge side of the door ‘Dog’ bolts can easily be added. If the door opens outwards then security can be improved by adding a steel plate on the external face of the door. The plate should be positioned on the lock side of the door, protecting the locks and door frame from attack. These measures may not stop a determined burglar but it will undoubtedly slow them down.
It is not practical to upgrade the security on a uPVC door. An option is to install a shutter over the door opening or replace with a security door.
If upgrading the security to an existing door is not enough, then replacing the door and frame with a steel security door and frame is the best option. Steel security doors combine strength and durability. A steel door provides high levels of security and can be used as main entry doors or as a fire escape.
Main Features on a Security Door
- Frame and outer door surface construction from rolled steel
- Door surface 1.2 mm thick as standard and 1.6 mm for higher security requirements
- Galvanised for corrosion free life
- Security door lock comprising14 (or more) point locking system
- Opening inwards or outwards
- Thermal and acoustic qualities
- Left or right opening
- Supplied pre-hung in its own frame ready for installation
- Reinforced at lock position
- Anti-jemmy lack strip
- Three heavy duty hinges
- Dog bolts fitted to hinge side
- Can incorporate glazed vision panels is required
- Fire resistant
- Supplied primed for final finishing on site or prefinished in a wide range of colours
- Weight 40 – 50kg/m2
- Can be classed as a security door, a fire door for resistance and escape
- Two standard sizes – 900 x 2100 and 1000 x 2100
Typical commerical steel door with lever handles
Exterior metal doors are not only for the business premises, a wide range is now offered for the home.
The Locking Cylinder
With security door locks the cylinder is considered a weakest point therefore ensure that the cylinder is resistant to tampering such as drilling and snapping.
Examples of locks on a typical security door
Example of Dog bolts on the hinged side
You may be interested in reading further on exterior steel doors.