Front Doors Advice
The Best Front Doors for Security: A Detailed Guide
The front door is arguably the most important door of a house, and for good reason too. We expect a lot from a front door, whether it’s an eye-catching design, durability, or impressive security.
In fact, security is one of the most significant factors to consider when replacing or installing your front door. This is why the experts at Green Doors have created a guide to help you make the right decision. Read on to learn all about this important topic.
What Are Front Doors?
Front doors are an exterior door that is typically used as the main entrance to a building or home. They can come in various different styles and need to provide a certain level of security.
What Makes a Front Door Secure?
There are various aspects of a front door that need to be considered when it comes to security, and these are:
- Door material and build quality
- Locking systems and hardware
- Door frame strength
Door Material and Build Quality
The first aspect of a front door that affects security is the material of the door and its build quality. Naturally, some materials are going to be more durable than others, so it’s important to consider this when making your purchase.
If front door security is top of your list when it comes to specifications, we recommend going for either a composite, wooden, aluminium or steel front door.
Locking Systems and Hardware
The second security factor to consider is the locking system of your new front door. Choosing an effective locking system will significantly improve the security of your door.
Our advice here is to choose a three-star security barrel, as this will stop any potential intruders from even attempting to break the locking strip.
Door Frame Strength
The final security factor to consider when it comes to front doors is the door frame. You just need to ensure that the frame is fitted properly to avoid any issues.
The good thing about buying a front door from Green Doors is that each door comes with an accompanying frame, so you won’t have to worry about this step.
Additional Security Features
There are also some additional security features that you can consider for your front door if you want to bulletproof your home. These include:
- Installing a peephole – Consider installing a peephole on your front door if you want an easy way to look at the person knocking on your front door before opening it. Some people may experience peace of mind by installing one of these.
- Installing a smart doorbell – With technological advancements taking place in every field, front doors are no exception. The rising popularity of smart doorbells offer another way of improving your front door security. What is a smart doorbell? Well, similarly to a peephole, they allow you to see who’s at your front door before answering it. Smart doorbells have a camera that is connected to an app, which you can view on your mobile phone. Consider installing one if you want to maximise your home security.
5 Types of Materials for Front Doors Ranked by Security
1. Solid Wood Front Doors
When crowning the best front doors for security, it’s hard to look past solid wood front doors. Why? Well, it comes down to the durability of the wooden material they’re made with.
You’ll get top marks for opting for a front door that is made out of the strongest types of wood, including:
- Oak
- Accoya
- Mohagony
- Walnut
2. Steel Front Doors
Second in our list of the best front doors for security are steel front doors. When it comes to security, they are a reliable choice, being made from a durable material that will stand the test of the time.
3. Aluminium Front Doors
Aluminium front doors are excellent for security due to their strength, durability, and resistance to forced entry. A great feature of these doors is that, unlike wood or uPVC, aluminium doesn’t warp or weaken over time.
Many aluminium doors feature multipoint locking systems and reinforced frames, providing reliable protection while maintaining a sleek, modern appearance for your home.
4. Composite Front Doors
A popular choice among UK homeowners are composite doors, which we’ve ranked number 4. They’re a great option when it comes to security, due to their insulating foam core and strong outer frame. This multi-layered composition provides resilience.
Not only do they offer durability, they also come in a range of different styles and are customisable, so there’s a composite door out there for every home.
5. uPVC Front Doors
The 5th and final choice for the best front doors for security are uPVC front doors. A more affordable option, you can expect impressive durability, but not as much security as some of the other options in our rankings.
Explore Our Collection of Front Doors
We hope that this guide has helped you understand which types of front doors are best for home security. At Green Doors, we’re proud to offer premium collections of front doors, back doors, sliding doors, bi-fold doors, French doors and windows.
If you have any further questions about front door security, or any general questions about doors or windows, please contact us. One of our experts will be more than happy to assist you with your query.
Front Door Security: FAQs
Can I upgrade my existing front door for better security?
This depends on how secure your existing front door is, but the likelihood is that you’ll be able to improve the security of it by adopting some of the things we’ve discussed in this article.
Other things to consider are adding a high security barrel, which is the quickest and cheapest win, or opting for laminated or triple glazed glass.
Are smart locks as secure as traditional locks?
There is a general concern that smart locks are less secure than traditional deadbolt locks due to the risk of hacking, but that isn’t the case. Smart locks and traditional locks can be equally secure, just ensure that you have yours fitted by an experienced professional.
What’s the most secure material for a front door?
This is a highly debated topic, but opting for either a wooden, steel, aluminium or composite front door would provide ample security for your home.
How often should I replace my front door locks?
According to various locksmiths, a general rule of thumb is to replace your front door locks every 1–7 years. Our recommendation is that if you run into any issues with your locks within this timeframe, you should get them checked before deciding whether you need to replace them.
At Green Doors, we’re partnering with Ultion, who offer durable locks with a £5,000 guarantee. If you’d like more details about this, please reach out and speak to one of our team members.