View the following video to see for yourself how secure our Palladio Front Doors are, and our article on Front Door security basics will also give you security tips-
It is well known that when burglars ‘work’ a neighbourhood, one of their main concerns is doing the job quickly and quietly. Stalling on a well-secured door and causing a racket trying to penetrate is probably the last thing on their agenda. Burglars collect information about the neighbourhood prior to the break-in, as part of their attempt to spot the most convenient target.
A front door looking well secured will have two effects: it will prevent a burglar from easily entering your home and it will likely discourage him from even trying.
If you’re running on a low budget, consider investing your money in thickening your front doors. The image of a heavily secured door will have a psychological impact on the burglar as he wanders around the neighbourhood, looking for easy scores. A well-secured door acts as a message to the burglar. It tells him to go and find a different home to break into. This leads us to another conclusion.
A low budget will be better invested in security devices that have double benefits: an effective physical barrier as well as a psychological one. Security devices like alarms and door contacts are important, but they do not broadcast their qualities as they are barely discernible. If your budget will not allow a total security package for your home and you have to choose between different devices, choose the ones that possess a psychological effect. Remember, looks can be deceiving.
The following list contains security items that possess a psychological impact on burglars:
- The door’s total width should be no less than 2 inches thick, and its central construction should be at least 1-½ inches thick.
- The door’s frame must be made of metal or solid wood- the same material as the door itself. The section width of the door’s frame should fit the door in size and proportion.
- Frames should have the same strength as that of the door they hold. Most doors are built from panels consisting of two vertical inner poles and top and bottom frame rails.
- A front door usually has additional vertical and horizontal construction units. Make sure the door you purchase adheres to all of these standards, and is constructed for security purposes and not just yard decoration.
Keep in mind that having a secure door does not necessarily mean compromising on aesthetics. Most door manufacturers are aware of this need and manufacture security doors with various ornaments and styles.
Security Door Locks
Exterior doors are the most common entrance portal for burglars and for this reason, they need extra protection. All perimeter doors, including yard doors, should be equally protected. Do not compromise on low-class doors or low-class locking mechanisms for the rear entrances. Make sure that all exterior doors are evenly secured. Remember, doors with a soft door jamb, which are commonly used as interior doors must not be used on the perimeter doors of your house. They can easily be broken into; one can smash them with a good hard kick. ANSI (the American National Standards Institute) categorizes locks according to their quality from grades 1 to 3 (1 being the best).
We recommend that all locks used on perimeter doors should be of grade 1.
Deadbolt locks are the most recommended kind for perimeter doors. Deadbolt locks usually come in one of two different types: single-cylinder and double-cylinder. A single cylinder has only one keyhole, on its exterior end. The opposite end (inside the house) has a simple rotating handle for locking and unlocking the door.
Single-cylinder mechanisms may become a hazard if installed in a door with wide breakable glass panels. If the glass panel frame is located within hand reach from the lock, the glass can be shattered enabling the burglar to insert his hand and easily turn the lock handle. If you have a single cylinder lock installed inside a door with breakable glass panels, you had better replace the glass with a break-resistant transparent type of material. Your other option is to replace the single-cylinder lock with a double-cylinder one.
According to crime statistics from previous years, front doors are burglars’ preferred point of entry into homes. Therefore, when considering enhancing security around the house perimeter, front doors should be one of your top priorities.
Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
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