Getting Your Doors In Order
Home security is about more than just your alarm system – your front door is often the first and best line of defence. At Central London Locksmith, we help homeowners and landlords across Central London add an extra layer of protection to their homes. Here’s our no-nonsense guide to improving your door security and keeping your home and family safe.
The Weak Points in Your Front Door
To really boost your door security, you need to know where to look. Burglars often target the door frame, hinges and lock because they know these are the easy targets. A dodgy door frame can be kicked in, exposed hinges are an open invitation for a sneaky intruder to rip off the door, and a sub-par lock is just begging to be picked or forced open. So, start by taking a good, hard look at your front door and see what you can do to make it stronger.
By installing steel or nickel reinforcements in your door frame, swapping out your lock for a multi-point locking system, and choosing a sturdy door lock, you can make a real difference. Understanding where your front door’s weak points are is the first step to making it a lot harder for burglars to break in.
Upgrading To Solid Core Doors
If there’s one thing that’ll make a big difference to your home’s security, it’s swapping out those dodgy hollow-core doors for solid-core ones. You might be surprised to learn that 76% of burglars target the front door, so it makes sense to make it the strongest one in the house.
What’s the best exterior door to go for, then? Composite doors are a good bet, thanks to their solid timber core and extra-reinforced materials. Timber doors and wooden doors are strong, but they need a bit of extra TLC to stop them from being kicked in. Aluminium doors are basically unbreakable, and uPVC doors are an affordable option that’s also pretty hard to get through. Fibreglass doors are good for internal use, but not so hot for the front door. And don’t even get me started on hollow doors – they’re just too inviting for a burglar.
Locks – The Next Step Up
So you’ve got your solid core door sorted, now it’s time to think about the lock. The thing is, most locks are pretty easy to pick or force open. So what you need is something that will be a real challenge for any would-be burglar. Deadbolt locks are a safe bet – they’re tough, they’ve got long bolts that go deep into the door frame, and they’re the perfect way to keep your home secure.
For the ultimate in security, you should look for locks with anti-pick, anti-drill, and anti-snap features. And while you’re at it, consider multi-point locking systems – the more locks you’ve got on your front door, the harder it is for someone to break in.
Making Your Door Frame Even Stronger
Even with the best lock in the world, if the door frame isn’t up to scratch, your security is going to be compromised. So, it’s time to get tough with your door frame. Throw in some steel or nickel reinforcements, and make sure it’s good and solid.
And don’t forget about the strike plates on your door – these are basically the bit that the lock latches onto, and if they’re not up to scratch, you’re leaving your home vulnerable to a break-in. So, fit some reinforced strike plates, and you’ll have a much more secure front door.
The Final Word
Your front door is the most vulnerable part of your home – it’s where burglars will try to get in. So, don’t mess about with flimsy locks or weak door frames. Take the security of your front door and do what it takes to make it the best it can be. With a solid core door, a top-notch lock and a reinforced door frame, you’ll be giving burglars a real run for their money. Installing a heavy-duty strike plate, or reinforced strike plates, along with longer fixing screws that actually anchor deep into the wall studs, can make a big difference in how resistant your doors are to forced entry. Installing a security strike plate can strengthen the door jamb and give you a whole lot more peace of mind, while the added strike plate will help protect the door jamb against wear and tear, which in turn improves security. Adding steel reinforcements around the door jamb and strike plate can give you even more strength, making it harder for potential intruders to use common break-in methods like kick-ins and prying.
When you use a multi-point locking system, it sits inside the door, making it much harder for any would-be tamperer to get at, and further boosting the security of your home.
Upvc Doors and Security in Central London
Upvc doors are super popular in Central London – and for good reason, they’re really durable and low maintenance. However, the best UPVC door can still leave your home vulnerable to security risks if it’s not fitted properly or maintained correctly. To boost the security of your UPVC doors, why not consider fitting a high-quality multi-point locking system? These systems secure the door at several points along the frame, making it much harder for anyone to gain entry.
Throwing in some longer screws to reinforce the door frame, along with a few extra security features like a door chain and hinge bolts, can also give you an extra level of protection against potential intruders. Make sure your UPVC doors are properly installed and regularly checked for any signs of wear or damage – this should help you catch any issues before they become a problem.
Install a Peephole or Door Viewer
A peephole or door viewer is a super-simple yet highly effective security feature that’s a must-have. It lets you see who’s at the door before you open it, which reduces the risk of letting in unwanted visitors.
Wide-angle door viewers offer much greater visibility and are ideal for front doors in flats and houses in Central London. Getting one of these small but useful upgrades can really make a big difference to your everyday safety.
Consider Some Extra Door Security Devices
With all the modern security tech on the market, there are loads of ways to add extra protection to your door. Some popular options include:
Door alarm systems that will sound an alarm the moment someone tries to force their way in
Smart doorbells with cameras so you can see who’s at the door from anywhere in the house – and some even record what happens if someone tries the door
Security systems that combine alarms, cameras and smart tech to give you total control and peace of mind
Motion-sensitive security lights around doorways, which can really scare off potential intruders by making it hard for them to lurk in the shadows
Letterbox cages that stop thieves from fishing keys through the letterbox
These devices add an extra layer of surveillance and act as a strong deterrent to potential intruders – especially in busy Central London areas. To really get the most out of your security measures, though, you need a comprehensive system that incorporates these devices and other measures, such as the Secured by Design accreditation.
Secured by Design Certification
When you’re shopping for a new front door or looking to upgrade your existing one, why not look for products with Secured by Design (SBD) certification? This official police security initiative sets the bar high for doors and locks, ensuring they’re designed to withstand forced entry and provide an extra layer of protection for your home. SBD-certified doors are put through their paces to make sure they can resist common break-in methods – so you can have confidence in the security of your front door.
Getting a Secured by Design-certified door not only boosts the security of your home but can also give you peace of mind and even some insurance discounts. Some insurers offer discounts for properties fitted with SBD-approved security products, so selecting a front door with this certification is a smart move to protect your home and deter would-be intruders.
Door Security Lighting and Alarms
Security for your door goes way beyond just locks and reinforcements – lighting and alarms play a huge role too. Adding motion-sensor lighting around your front door scares off potential intruders by making it harder for them to approach unnoticed. Not only does the lighting increase visibility, but it also gives the impression that your home is being watched.
Door alarms are another great way to add an extra level of security by alerting you and your neighbours to any unwanted attempts to enter your home. Go for a loud, visible alarm system to get the best deterrent effect. And, if you want to get really clever, consider linking your door security lighting and alarms to your smart home system, so you can monitor and control the security of your front door from anywhere.
Smart Home Security Integration
Getting your door security working with your smart home tech is a great way to boost the security of your front door and your whole home. Smart locks let you control access to your home from anywhere – even letting in trusted visitors or deliveries when you’re not there. Door sensors can send you an alert the moment someone tries the door, while security cameras give you real-time video and a record of any suspicious activity. By hooking up these devices to your smart home system, you’ll be able to get notifications the moment something looks suspicious and control who gets in & out through your front door from anywhere in the world. That’s a big win for security – but it’s also a major convenience & stress-reliever – you’ll be able to breathe a lot easier knowing that your home is secure. To get the most out of this tech, we’d really recommend getting expert advice from a smart home security pro to find the right combination of smart locks, sensors & cameras that fits your needs and your wallet.
Why We Are The Best Choice for Locksmiths in Central London
As a locksmith you’ve come to trust in Central London, we provide top-notch advice & install all sorts of door security systems with precision. It’s not just locks, though – if you need to upgrade your locks, reinforce your door, or just need some emergency help late at night, our team is here to help you get the security you need for your place.
Conclusion
Making your home more secure is one of the smartest moves you can make to protect your property. Try installing solid-core doors, upgrading to better locks, reinforcing door frames, and – if you really want to go all out – get some of that fancy security gear; all of those things will significantly reduce your chances of being broken into.
If you’re looking for a reliable, top-notch door security outfit, it doesn’t get much better than us – Central London Locksmith. Investing a bit of cash today in proper door security will give you a whole lot more peace of mind tomorrow.