The Most Secure Front Doors for Your Home: What to Look For
With different doors on the market and security an important factor for the home, it can be tough to decide what door is best for YOUR home. In this blog we’ll look at the most secure front doors UK homeowners can buy, including what to look for when buying, and additional security features that are available.
How secure are different front door materials?
Composite front doors
Ranking high among the most secure front door materials is composite. Secure composite front doors include a tough GRP skin (which is short for glass reinforced plastic), and are multi-layered. They are also weather-resistant, and so will not soak up water and deform as a result. Rockdoor is a brand of composite door specifically built with security in mind.
UPVC front doors
UPVC front doors are lightweight, and while not as sturdy as composites can be just as secure with the right locking mechanism. They too are weather resistant, and so will not warp or absorb moisture.
Wooden front doors
Wooden front doors can vary from lightweight to heavyweight, with the latter more favourable for security. However, one disadvantage of wooden doors is that, without protection, they can absorb moisture and deform, causing problems not only with aligning locking mechanisms, but also with the structural integrity of the door itself.
Aluminium front doors
Aluminium front doors are inherently sturdy, offering a modern and heavyweight opening for the home entrance. Their high cost however may deter buyers.
Is a solid front door more secure than the glazed one?
In general, a solid door is sturdier than one with glass, having more internal reinforcement. However, highly-secure doors, such as composite and UPVC, make use of toughened safety glass.
Security features to look for in front doors
- A multi-point locking system – A single-point lock only protects one area of the door, whereas multi-point protection ensures that burglars aren’t left with vulnerable spots to exploit. Where possible, one should aim to have a locking system that is Secured By Design accredited.
- Toughened glazing – This should resist square-on impact and be present not only in a front door, but also in toplights and side panels.
- Anti-lift hinges – These ensure that a burglar cannot lift your door off of its hinges.
- Reinforced frame – Adds extra strength to the frame, and extra protection for the door.
- Tamper-proof barrel – Standard locks should resist common burglar techniques, such as drilling, picking and bumping. There are also anti-snap locks that add a further layer of security.
Rockdoor security features
In addition to a reinforced frame and multi-point locking system, a Rockdoor will also include S-Glaze technology, which integrates the glass unit into the panel for greater insulation and tamper-proofing.
Additional home security door options
- Spyhole – Lets you see who is outside your door without opening it.
- Security chain – Keep strangers at a distance if you do need to open the door.
- Smart handles – Ones such as the Ultion Nuki Smart Handle offer a variety of options for entry and security, working in conjunction with smart phones for remote control.
- Obscure glass – This can prevent passers-by from peeking into your home, and is especially useful if your home overlooks a busy street.
I’m ready to secure my home!
Great! We’re here to help.
- You can call us free on 0800 910 1122 to speak to our door experts.
- Leave us a message on our Contact Us page or via the blue Quick Message tab on the right of any page.
- View our styles online – and what’s more, customise your chosen door to suit, with our composite and UPVC doors available to order Fully Fitted or Supply Only
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