Secure Front Doors

A burglar does not attack a brochure; they attack the weakest point. On a front door that might be the cylinder, the glass, a gap at the hinge side or a frame that was never fixed properly into the wall. A secure door is one where every part has been chosen and fitted so that none of them gives way easily.

A composite door's solid, insulated core makes it heavy and rigid, which resists kicking and prising. A uPVC door relies on reinforced profile and a robust infill panel. In both cases the frame must be securely fixed to the surrounding masonry; a strong door in a loosely fixed frame can be forced out as a unit.

Multi-point locking engages hooks and bolts at several points down the locking edge when the handle is lifted. The cylinder that operates it is a common point of attack, so the specification of the cylinder matters as much as the lock. Our guide to multi-point locks and the PAS 24 guide explain the standards behind this.

Glazed panels near the lock should use laminated or toughened glass so they cannot be broken through quickly. Letterbox and handle positions are chosen so that the inside handle cannot easily be reached through an opening.

The best hardware can be undone by poor installation. Our FENSA and CERTASS registered fitters fix the frame properly, set the door so the locking engages cleanly, and check the operation before leaving. You receive the compliance certificate. The free survey is also a chance to talk about how the door will be used, for example whether you want a door that locks automatically when closed.

Even the best door relies on how it is used. Lifting the handle and turning the key engages every locking point, whereas simply closing the door on the latch leaves most of them disengaged. Keep keys away from the letterbox and the inside of the door, and check the hinges and keeps are still tight each year. We show you how the locking works when the door is handed over.