The greatest front door for security has two factors – the substance of the door and the door lock. Our guide looks at uPVC, composite and timber doors and tells you what to look for when picking the finest front door lock.
What Are the Best Secure Front Doors for Homes
If you want a truly secure door for your home you need to think about the material it’s made of, as different materials provide different levels of security.
Most Secure Front Door Materials
- uPVC:
uPVC doors are popular in the UK due to low costs. Generally secure thanks to a multi-locking mechanism.
Life Span: 10-15 years. Older doors can deteriorate in security.
- Timber:
Wooden doors offer traditional charm and are secure, especially modern variants with advanced locks.
Locks: Often feature yale locks and mortice locks or multi-locking point systems.
- Composite:
Combines several materials (insulating foam, wood, glass reinforced plastic, aluminum) for high security, durability, and weather resistance.
- Metal:
Typically the most secure option, metal or steel enforced doors are thick and durable, able to withstand significant force.
Best Way to Secure a Door From the Inside
- Five lever mortice deadlock:
Recommended by the Metropolitan Police, this lock adds considerable security.
Required by many insurance companies for claims.
- Toughened glass or windowless:
Consider toughened glass, or opt for a windowless door to prevent entry via broken windows.
- Long hinge screws:
Long screws reinforce the door’s resistance to break-ins.
- Peephole:
Allows you to see who is at the door before opening.
- Door chain:
Enables partial opening of the door for additional safety.
- Letterbox basket:
Prevents easy access through the letterbox.
- Reinforce the strike plate:
Use a heavier duty strike plate for added security.
The Safest Lock and Locking System
The most secure front doors will utilize a multi-point locking system. The five lever mortice deadlock is highly recommended as it provides excellent protection against break-ins.
| Front doors Material | Average Cost excluding installation (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Composite | £640 – £2,235 |
| Aluminium | £445 – £1,255 |
| Timber | £580 – £2,030 |
| uPVC | £340 – £925 |
| Steel | £450 – £2,100 |
Cost of Door Security Accessories
| Accessory | Average Cost excluding installation (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Deadbolt | £5 – £200+ |
| Door Peephole | £5 – £25 |
| Door Chain | £10 – £150 |
| Door Lock Reinforcer | £10 – £30 |
| Door Bar | £30 – £150 |
| Door Jammer | £15 – £30 |
| Door Gate/Grill | £80 – £350 |
| Smart security door camera | £30 – £200+ |
What Is The Best Front Door For Security?
- A timber door with a five-lever mortice deadlock
- A uPVC door with an anti-snap cylinder lock and multi-point locking system
- A composite door with robust locking mechanisms
Buying Considerations for Front Door Security
- The material of the door
- The lock
Look for certifications such as British Standard (BSI) Kitemark, PAS 24, and Secured by Design when selecting a door.
Additional Details
- Wooden doors should be at least 44mm thick with a solid frame.
- New uPVC doors typically have anti-snap features.
- Composite doors are the safest due to their combination of materials.
- Glass doors can be reinforced using toughened or laminated glass.
How to Secure Front Door from Inside
Smart outdoor lights and upgraded door locks are just two examples of the various ways to safeguard your doors from the outside. But how can you secure a door from the inside? To help defend your house, this section will cover how to secure your front door from the inside.
Methods for Internal Door Security
As an additional security measure for your house and goods, here is a list of methods for locking your front door from the inside.
Put in a door brace
To help secure the front door from the inside, a door brace is a smart choice. The scene in movies where a chair is placed inside a door to keep someone from opening it serves as a good illustration of what a door brace performs. That’s what a door brace essentially accomplishes, except it’s considerably stronger and typically composed of metal. These come in both permanent and portable types, making them an excellent choice if you want to secure a door and add a little extra security without going over budget.
Jammer for Door Stops
Because of its strength and adaptability, a door jammer is likely the most popular type of door brace and method of securing a front door from the inside. This makes it the ideal option for renters, students, and anyone who doesn’t want a permanent brace. Because of their adjustable construction, these jammers provide additional security for the majority of sliding and hinged doors by preventing forceful entrance. These types are perfect for preventing doors from being kicked in or forced open because they can withstand up to 250 kg of force.
Bars with Barricades
Another excellent kind of door brace for securing a door is a barricade bar. Unlike door stop jammers, these are more permanent models with a section that is mounted to the floor behind the door and an attachable block that, when locked together, creates a blockade for the door. Some models are even capable of withstanding up to 1360 kg of force! Because of their unsightly appearance and installation requirements, these are primarily found in commercial settings.
Conclusion
In this piece, you learned about the best secure front doors for homes, how to secure front door from inside, the safest lock and locking system, and other interesting information. For more informative guides, stay connected to Buildersviller.