Suffering a break-in can leave you feeling unsafe and insecure in your own home. Most of us aren’t willing to take that risk, so it’s essential you secure your home, prevent potential intruders and burglars from gaining entry and compromising your safety. Home security management should be a priority when moving into a new home and should be monitored consistently.
Many attempted burglaries are opportunistic burglaries, this means they’ve been carried out spontaneously, with little to no planning. An open window or an unlocked door provide an excellent means of entry for intruders. Don’t make it easy on them, secure your external doors and windows.
We’ll detail home security advice, how to secure your front and back doors, windows and your home altogether so you feel safe. It’s worth mentioning, too, that if you fail to take precautionary security measures, your home insurance may not cover you if you experience a break-in. Check the details of your policy and what standard measures need to be taken with your insurance company for greater clarity.
What is the safest front door?
If you’re thinking about replacing your front door, the best and safest option is a composite door. Composite doors are reinforced with a steel door frame and an internal hardwood frame, while the outer part of the door is made from glass-reinforced plastic, providing excellent strength and durability.
Upgrading your home’s doors? Why not speak to us about our range of doors or design your own composite door with our online door design tool and bring your vision to life?
Home Security: Secure Your Home’s Doors
As the preliminary entryway into your home, your front door must have high-grade security features. That being said, it’s important that all exterior doors are strong and secure and can withstand force.
Install a heavy-duty deadbolt
A deadbolt lock is a low-cost but high-value addition to your home and your security system. These can be fixed onto many types of doors, including composite, timber, uPVC, and glass doors.
Choose from a double-cylinder deadbolt, keyed on both sides or a single-cylinder deadbolt, fitted to the inner side of your door. When you select your deadbolt, ensure it has a Grade 1 security rating, and add a strike box to secure it to the frame.
Add a strike box
Strike boxes work by reinforcing the lock system. Your existing strike plates are replaced with a structure consisting of a metal pocket and oversized units. This system creates a solid connection to the wall stud behind the doorjamb using 3-inch screws. To accommodate a strike box, you’ll need to enlarge the holes in the door jamb and the cover plate recess.
Add a reinforcer plate
Using a three-sided metal reinforcement plate will add an extra layer of security by encasing a door around its deadbolt and handset. You will need to measure the thickness of your door, the handset and deadbolt hole diameter and the distance between its edge and the centre of the setback. When you install reinforced plates, the door’s edge typically extends, so you will likely need to deepen the hinge mortises on the other side to prevent sticking and catching.
Install a wide-angle peephole
A wide-angle peephole will allow you to complete a larger-scale screening of any unexpected visitors. They fit any doors up to 2 inches thick and are incredibly easy to install. To stop any would-be intruders using reverse peephole equipment, make sure you buy one with a cover.
Rekey the lock
Rekeying the lock is the easiest way to enhance the security of your door, especially if you’re not the first person to live in that building. Depending on the state and age of your exterior doors, you might consider new front and back doors altogether. uPVC doors can last anywhere between 20 and 35 years, with ag, your door will experience natural deterioration and therefore compromised security.
You can find new locks to match most brands at hardware stores and home improvement centres for deadbolts and entrance locks.
Secure Your Home’s Windows
Upgrading your windows with more modern styles means you’re upgrading the safety of your home. Smart lock systems, reinforced frames, tempered glass, glazed windows and newer-looking windows all help minimise break-ins and keep your home secure.
Window locks are standard when it comes to keeping your home secure. Without them, your just asking for trouble. Most window fitters will offer them as standard, but do make a point to check with your window installation company.
Window locking system
Newer windows ensure your home is less of an easy target for thieves – attempted break-ins become more of a challenge or altogether unlikely thanks to greater perceived window strength and solidity. Older-looking windows could make your home a target due to deteriorating materials and less advanced window components.
Modern windows feature multi-point locking systems, whereas older windows might just use a single latch locking mechanism. Stronger, reinforced frames made with uPVC ensure break-ins are more of a challenge.
Triple glazed windows
Choose top-tier window strength with triple glazed windows or double glazed windows. You’ll keep out intruders and keep in the heat too. Glazed windows provide greater home protection and insulation. They’re strong and much harder to break through than a single pane. The extra pane or two provide another obstacle for thieves to get around
Additional Home Security Measures
Extra security measures like security cameras, security lighting, burglar alarms, motion detectors and timer switches are always a good option if you want to feel a little more secure at home. In addition, remember to keep valuables and valuable items hidden plus garage doors and sheds locked too.
If you’re worried about the security of your front door or home and feel that now is the time for a change, request a free quote from Art Windows and Doors or contact us today for more information. Alternatively, why not give us a call, phone us on 0800 046 3434 for home security advice and more information on our door and window installation services across Glasgow and beyond.