Security Doors. general information about home security

	Security Doors Secure Doors

Secure Doors Home

Back

Page Index A-Z

Main Pages

Entry Doors
Storm Doors
Larson Storm Doors
Stanley Doors
Stanley Steel Doors
Steel Doors
Security Doors
High Security Doors
Security Doors UK
Hurricane Doors

Reference

Links
Contact us

Secure Doors - Secure doors links and information for your home or business. Whether you're looking for a storm door or an security door to keep your belongings safe you'll find information here. Entry doors, storm doors, Stanley doors, steel doors and secure doors.

The security doors page give general advice about home security and specific security advice about security doors with links to other sources of information.

general advice on security doors

Front Doors

External doors should be of solid construction - at least 44 mm thick and hinges should be strong.

Most newly built properties are fitted with a simple rim lock, also known as a 'night latch'. For satisfactory security levels a five-lever mortice deadlock on security doors should be installed.

If the door is hollow, or too thin for a mortice lock, a quality rim deadlock should be installed using long, strong screws.

The deadlock is important because it means that the door is much more difficult to force open. Also once the security doors have been locked with the key, the burglar won't be able to put his hand through the letter box or through a panel and open the door from the outside. If he is in the house, he also won't be able to open the door which means he cannot use it to get out of the house with bulky items.

Deadlocks are also important in relation to security doors with glazed panels which are inherently less secure than solid doors. You should consider replacing ordinary or toughened glass panels with laminated glass as this offers greater resistance. Internal rack bolts at the top and bottom of the security doors provide additional security.

It is also important to consider fire safety issues when looking at security precautions. You may feel that you don't wish to use the mortice lock when you are in, as this will make it more difficult to get out of the house in the event of a fire. If this is the case, bolts at the top and bottom of the security doors are particularly useful.

It should be noted that it is generally not possible to add security features to UPVC/PVCU front doors after they have been installed, but they would usually incorporate appropriate locking mechanisms.

Before replacing any locks, see what your insurance policy states that you should have.

For additional security, fit a spy hole and door chain.

Rear Security Doors

The back door should also be fitted with a five-lever mortice deadlock and have bolts at top and bottom.

Glass panels should be laminated and fitted from the inside to prevent putty or beading being removed.

High Security Doors - The high security doors page is for those who need extra security against high risk crime, to guard your life or high value goods and describes the standards for high security doors with links to other useful resources.

Security Doors UK - The security doors UK page gives advice on how to secure your UK home with the correct locks for your security doors, plastic UPVC double glazed front and rear doors with links to other information on security doors UK.

Patio Doors

Patio doors are a common means of entry and so, unless security doors are fitted with a multi-locking system, it is a good idea to fit extra locks and an anti-lift device.

Padlocks for outhouses etc

Garden sheds are a popular target for burglars, often containing very valuable equipment and the tools to force open your home doors and windows. The most secure security doors padlocks are those operated by a key which opens and shuts them. By contrast, spring-loaded ones can be quite easy to spring open. The best type is a close shackle padlock because there isn't enough room to insert an implement to lever it open.

When fitting a padlock bar, coach bolts should be used rather than screws. If screws are used, they should be clutch- headed or one-way screws which, once in, are almost impossible to remove.

Precisely what you can use will depend on the strength of the shed security doors and frames, ie it might not be possible to use the most heavy duty equipment, but there are a range of different types of products available. Windows in sheds should have good locks.

Where a garage has wooden double doors it is worth considering introducing a heavy duty padlock bar and close shackle padlock. Where there are up and over doors, a padlock could also be used. There are mortice locks specially designed for garage doors that close into the side frame. Electronic security doors options should also be considered.

The most relevant links we could find, placed here free

British Standards board - BSIA - Home Security - Doors, windows & locks. www.bsia.co.uk

Door Warehouse - external doors. www.door-warehouse.co.uk