Home Improvement

6 Ways to Improve Your Front Door Security

Fantastic Team
Published: Nov 06/2020
Last update: May 09/2024
9min read
Views: 244

If your home were a fortress, your front door would be the gate – it’s where intruders will try to storm the keep (most of the time, anyway). And, if your main line of defence is weak and ineffective, they won’t really have a hard time getting in and wreaking havoc on your property.

Luckily, there is no shortage of methods to improve the front door security. You can choose any one of the listed solutions below, or better yet, combine them to really make your front door impenetrable.

So, if you:

Want to burglar-proof your home;
Are worried about you and your family’s safety;
Are wondering how to make your front door more secure;

Then read on, because this post is just for you!

So, what can you do to improve front door security to make sure you’re keeping your home safe? Let’s find out together!

Invest in a high-security front door lock

You’re probably thinking that having the most secure locks is the most crucial aspect of home safety. While that’s not entirely true, they truly are essential. So, making sure your door locks are sturdy and properly installed is one of the first steps you can take to improve door security.

There are several aspects you need to consider here.

Make sure that your front door lock is insurance-approved

Even if you have the most secure front door lock, and a burglar still manages to get in, you can always turn to your insurance company for some compensation, right? Wrong.

They probably won’t lift a finger unless the locks in question are insurance-approved. So, to save yourself the hassle, check if you’ve chosen the right locks before purchasing and installing them. That’s relatively easy to do, all you need is to check for the British Standard Institution (BSI) Kitemark and the standard number below it.

If you want more information on which lock types are insurance-approved, head on over to our guide on Which Lock Types Are Insurance Approved in the UK?

Choose a high-security locking mechanism

Naturally, if the door lock is insurance-approved, then it can be considered secure. However, not all types of door locks fit all doors. You need to do your research on which lock type is right for you and your door.

Now, let’s take a look at the most widely used secure door locks on the market today.

British Standard 5-lever mortice deadlocks
This is a high-security door lock, most commonly found on timber doors. It’s morticed in – that’s to say, a pocket is cut into the edge of the door, and that’s where the mechanism goes, making it more difficult to damage. The only catch is that the door needs to be thick enough to accommodate it, with enough timber left on both sides. So, if your door is too thin, you might need the next lock type on our list.
Rim automatic deadlatches
You will often see rim locks as a secondary security measure. That’s because they are fitted onto the surface of the door, making them far less secure than mortice locks. One of their benefits is that they lock automatically when the door is closed and, with the safer kinds, you need a key to unlock them from both sides.
Anti-snap cylinder locks
If you have a locking mechanism that requires a cylinder lock, what you want is an anti-snap one. They are specifically designed to snap at the end, as opposed to in the middle, preventing an intruder from getting past it.

Choose a solid front door

So, your locks are now as secure as can be. But will they stop a burglar with a brute force approach? It’s unlikely. What you want to think about as well is how to secure a door from being kicked in.

Think about the material

You might not have considered the material your door is made out of, but it plays a part in how secure it is. Here are the standard door materials, in order of the security level they provide:

Composite – Composite doors are by far the most secure front doors. Their design eliminates the drawbacks of uPVC and timber doors, as they combine the two and add even more materials in, including insulating foam. Composite doors are the way to go if you’re looking for the highest security when it comes to materials.
Timber – Timber doors give your home a classic look, and they’re also very secure. They’re sturdy and often fitted with more secure door locks, which adds to their overall safety.
uPVC – This door type is not as safe as it’s brethren material-wise, and they do need to be replaced after about 10-15 years if you want to keep up with your home security. However, they often have multi-point locking systems, which boosts their overall level of protection quite a bit.

Always choose a solid-core front door

There’s no point in upgrading to the highest-security front door hardware if your door can be defeated by a kick or two. That’s why a solid core is what you want if you’re serious about front door security. Keep weak, hollow doors for your interior and opt for a solid, sturdy one for your front door.

Consider going windowless

Front door windows may be an excellent way to let some light in. However, they’re a weak spot, especially if they’re placed close to the locks. If you want to improve door security drastically, opt for a front door with no windows. Or, if you insist on having them, consider reinforcing them with tempered glass or window bars.

Think about door reinforcement

There are quite a few things you can do if you’re wondering how to reinforce your front door. The following solutions can stop a variety of forced entry methods dead in their tracks.

Add a horizontal front door security bar

You can place a horizontal bar on the inside of your front door. This adds a nice level of extra door security when you’re at home and is sure to prevent your door from being kicked in. The recommended type of security bar attaches to the door frame and, when installed properly, can make your front door impenetrable.

Install a lock guard

These are a great way to deter intruders, as they show that you’ve taken your front door security seriously. Lock guards are mostly used to reinforce wooden doors with mortice locks. They’re pretty cheap, too.

Use hinge bolts

Hinge bolts are a security measure used to prevent a door from being lifted off its hinges. They are essential if your front door opens outwards, as anyone from the outside can get to the hinge pins and take the whole door off. So, hinge bolts are an investment that’s worth it.

Go for longer hinge screws

The longer the screw, the more difficult it is to get past them. If your hinges, strike plates, etc. have shorter screws, replace them, with ones that are at least 65 – 75 mm long. That way, you ensure that whatever the screws are securing to the door really is secured and can’t be manipulated easily.

Secure your door furniture

Your door furniture can be detrimental to your front door security. Think about how easy it would be to break in through a letterbox that isn’t adequately secured! So, don’t forget about the door furniture and make sure you reinforce it.

Make sure your letterbox is installed correctly

Your letterbox should be installed at least 40 cm away from any locks. Also, a letter basket can stop a variety of break-in methods, such as “fishing” – inserting a long wire through your letterbox to try and get to any keys you’ve left by the door.

Install a peephole

This solution is pretty straightforward – it lets you take a look at whoever is at the door. Wide-angle peepholes are the better choice, as they allow you to see a larger area, so it’s more difficult for an intruder to hide.

Use a door chain or a strike plate lock

Similar to the peephole, a door chain is a good security measure if you need to open the door, but you don’t really want to let the other person in. Regular door chains are not the most secure, however, so if you want a safer version, opt for a strike plate lock, which works in a very similar way, but can withstand more force.

Opt for locking pet doors

Yes, burglars can get in through your pet doors, too. So, installing ones that you’re able to lock is an excellent way to make sure your front door is secure.

Install front door security grills

If you live in a rough area, have items of high value in your home, or just want a bit more reassurance that you’re keeping your home safe, security grilles may just be what you need.

These gates are placed before your front door and should always have a secure locking mechanism, too. They’re a good piece of extra security for a front door and come in a variety of styles and makes.

Consider some additional front door security measures

If all of this isn’t enough, or you’re looking for some additional security measures and good visual deterrents, there are a couple of things you can do.

Install security cameras

CCTV will make your home look well-protected, thus making a burglar think about whether it’s worth it even to try and break in. Not only that, but it can also help identify any brave intruders that have decided they’re untouchable and still tried to “borrow” your stuff.

If you’re not looking to scare them away, but simply want to monitor your front door, there are a variety of hidden security cameras you can install, too.

Place a front door security light

Criminals like to work in the cover of darkness. So, a bright light at your door can make them think twice about whether your home is a good target. Security lights are an excellent way to keep the images from your CCTV clear, as well. We recommend motion sensor lights, as they are perfect for saving electricity while still keeping your front door well-lit.

Let an expert locksmith improve your front door’s security

If you want to make sure your front door security is up to par, the best course of action is to call a professional locksmith. And with Fantastic Services, you can rest assured that your home will be as safe as can be.

Whether you’re looking to install or replace a lock, or you need CCTV installation, or even door repair – we’ve got you covered.

And if you’re wondering how much you can expect to pay, take a look at our post on locksmith prices.

So, keep your home and your family safe, book your locksmith service today!

Want to improve your front door security?

Find a professional today to keep your home safe!

Takeaways

Make sure your locks are secure and insurance-approved.
Pick a sturdy front door with a solid core.
Reinforce your front door to prevent kick-ins.
Don’t forget to secure your door furniture, such as letterboxes and pet doors.
Consider security grilles if you live in a rough area.
Install CCTV and security lights as an additional front door security measure.

So, now you are on your way to improving your front door security. But not all intruders will try to make their way through the front. If you want to cover all the possible entry points, you might want to think about boosting your garden’s safety, or even getting a home security system.

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Was this post helpful? Do you have any tips of your own on increasing front door security? Share them with us in the comments!

Image source: Shutterstock / Naypong Studio