Thanks to their longevity, energy efficiency, and low maintenance, UPVC doors are quite popular among UK homeowners. However, safeguarding your home and loved ones from intruders requires ensuring well the security of your UPVC doors. We will look at several effective approaches, as well as best practices for increasing the security of your UPVC doors in this lengthy post.
Before delving into the specifics of UPVC door security, it’s critical to understand how these doors are built. So, let’s get started with…
Table of Contents
What are uPVC doors?
UPVC (Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride) doors are constructed of hard plastic, making them very resistant to rot, rust, and weathering. They are designed to offer enough insulation while needing little maintenance. The door frame, door panel, hinges, handles, and locking mechanisms are all essential part of an uPVC door.
Understanding how attackers may attempt to break an uPVC door requires identifying these doors’ weaknesses. We will examine common flaws like faulty locks, cylinders, glass panels, and insecure frames further down.
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How secure exactly are uPVC doors?
Because of the galvanised steel core, uPVC doors are safer and more secure than standard PVC doors. They are constructed of long-lasting and strong materials that may endure between 10 and 35 years. When compared to traditional front doors, uPVC doors require less maintenance and offer superior insulation and security at a cheaper installation cost.
Unfortunately, what makes them weak is their locks. Many uPVC doors come with a standard euro lock barrel that can be quickly snapped and pulled out of the handle, giving a thief quick access to your home.
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How can you make your uPVC door more secure?
Euro lock cylinders are a common choice for commercial and residential properties with uPVC doors, but many composite & aluminium doors use them too.
Lock-snapping is among the most common problems, as a method intruders use to access a door secured by a standard Euro-lock cylinder. The process involves removing the covering of the lock so the cylinder is revealed, then using brute force to break it in half. Surprisingly, this process can be done within 5-10 seconds.
Prevent lock snapping
The easiest way to improve the security of your uPVC door is by fitting an anti-snap lock. These locks are designed to prevent lock snapping and give a higher security level than standard euro cylinder locks. Also, they are tested against lock bumping, drilling and lock picking.
If you want to invest in a more secure front door lock, you should consider upgrading to alock that meets one of the following standards:
- Master Locksmiths Association – SS 312 3 Star Sold Secure Diamond
- TS007 3-Star Rating
- A 1-star euro cylinder combined with a 2-star door handle
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Useful tip: If you have an Euro-lock cylinder manufactured before 2011, you must consider an upgrade. All locks with single, double and thumbturn cylinders of that time are at risk of lock snapping.
The last important step is to have your new anti-snap lock installed correctly. That’s why it’s highly recommended to turn to a professional locksmith.
Improve your uPVC door security with a multi-point locking system
Most of the new uPVC doors are equipped with at least five points of contact from the door to the frame, which makes it harder for the door to be damaged and opened. Choosing an uPVC door with multiple locking points is more secure than single-point locking systems. If you have a single-point locking system and want to upgrade, be prepared that this is not among the cheapest services, but it definitely can increase the security of your property.
The other important step here is to ensure that the lock is of good quality and meets the British Standard.
Opt-in for secure door handle and cylinder guard
Choosing a high-security uPVC door handle is a great way to improve the security of your uPVC door, but bear in mind that the handle should meet some of these standards: TS007 2 Star or labelled Secured By Design.
The security handles or the cylinder guards are additional steps to protect your door from lock-snapping attempts.
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Invest in letterbox cage fishing guards & burglar letter plates
It’s a common mistake to leave your keys on a table near the front door, but let’s tell you why this is a bad idea. The most popular method of burglary involves lifting keys from a table through a letterbox using a long retractable rod with a hook.
Fishing guard letterboxes have a cover at the back to keep burglars from seeing into the hallway or pushing the rod through. Whether you choose a letter cage or a plate, they should meet the TS008 security standard.
Door chains can add extra security
Door chains are popular door security additions. Although they can have mainly preventive functions, you can choose to install a door chain restrictor. The benefit of this device is that it’s screwed into the wall and then loops around the handle on a uPVC door.
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Security or sash jammers can help too
Sash jammers are an easy and affordable way to ensure the security of any uPVC door. Installing these devices will stop the door from opening when the lock is broken or opened. You can find them in locking or non-locking models, suitable for French doors, as well as for uPVC windows.
Reinforce your doors with hinge bolts/dog bolts
Hinge bolts, often known as dog bolts, are a simple and inexpensive technique to reinforce doors. They are designed to go around the top and bottom of your UPVC door, preventing it from being pushed off its hinges. Because their hinges are visible, these devices are useful for doors that open outward. Fortunately, securing your uPVC door does not have to break the bank.
Install door barricade or a security bar
Another easy security measure is installing a door barricade that can be removed only from the inside. This device is a good choice to secure your PVC door from night burglary attempts. It’s suitable for single and French doors and only requires screwing its base plate down to the floor.
Then you can easily slide in or out of the barrier. If you prefer not to damage your floor, you can choose the removable bars. They are adjustable and work for both sliding or hinged doors.
Check also:
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Improve home security systems
Taking additional steps to ensure the security of your uPVC door will no doubt boost your home’s security, but there is one more step you can take. Consider installing a CCTV system so you can view what’s happening around your property in real-time, even when you are on vacation, prevent antisocial behaviour and burglar attempts, and even lower your insurance.
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Takeaways
- uPVC doors are made of durable materials, but their main weakness is the lock.
- You can choose one or two security measures, but their impact could be significant.
- Choosing an anti-snap lock and multi-point locking system will provide the highest impact.
- You should rely on a skilled locksmith to handle the lock change.
- If you don’t have the skills and the tools, entrust the smaller door furniture fitting to a local handyman.
- Securing your home will give you additional peace of mind even when you are away.
Image source: Nick Beer / Shutterstock.com
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