Door and Window Security
After you have assessed the security needs of your property boundary you then need to turn your attention to the house itself. Pay attention to potential access points: door security and window security, basements and lofts/roofspace.
Door Security
Doors are the criminals' favourite means of entry. Doors with glass panels are vulnerable - if the criminal breaks the glass and the key has been left in the lock it is simple to unlock the door and gain access. So avoid glass in doors and beside doors. If glass is present consider replacing the door or the glass in side windows with a more solid alternative. Another option is to fit metal grills over the glass areas.
Buy the best door you can justify and have it professionally installed. Many softwood doors are not strongly built and can be forced open with a strong kick. If the door feels light and can be made to flex by applying force to it then it has insufficient strength and kicking it will probably break it. A hardwood door feels hard and feels heavy when you move it back and forth - it is a stronger alternative.
Where a door is designed to include panels set into the door the panels sometimes have very little strength and may only be made of thin wood. These can easily be knocked out giving the criminal the opportunity to reach inside and unlock the door.
The door frame must also be good quality and be well secured to the wall. The main weakness may not be the door but the door frame and if the frame is made with low quality wood it will splinter if the door is subjected to a powerful blow.
To reinforce the strength of the door on the hinge side install three hinge bolts. These fit into the edge of the door and into the door frame to provide extra strength on the hinge side of the door.
You should install two locks in the door and at least one of them should be a mortice lock the other being a night latch. It is usual to install one just below halfway up the door and the other perhaps 40cm higher. You need to make use of both the locks. Do not leave the mortice lock locked when you are in the house in case you need to escape in an emergency e.g. fire, and cannot find the key. Another alternative that will allow you a quick exit is to install amortice lock with a thumbturn on the inside.
UPVC doors (plastic) have secure multiple point locking mechanisms built into the door but as with wooden doors the door panels are particularly vulnerable. A strong kick or blow can knock the panel out. Newer and more expensive UPVC doors are more strongly constructed with steel reinforcement.
Remember: carrying out the above measures to install a secure door, frame and locks is useless unless you always lock the door when you go out.
French windows and patio doors are particularly vulnerable and are an obvious target for burglars. They are usually located at the rear of the property and are designed for appearance rather than security. Their locks, hinges and overall strength need to be given particular attention to give them added security.
Patio doors are often newer and are of better design and quality but they can be forced open unless extra steps have been taken to secure them e.g. fitting special patio door locks that prevent them being lifted out of their tracks.
Doors: Additional Security
Door Chains
Door chains can be fitted to allow a door to be opened only a small way. They allow you to check who is at the door and to prevent easy access to criminals aiming to push their way inside. There are also other security devices that will only allow the door to be opened a little way.
Door Viewer
By having a door view fitted you will be able to be able to peer through and see who is outside the door before you open it.
Window Security
Glass is fragile so windows are always going to be a target for burglars. They can also be carelessly left open and even when closed they may not be fitted window locks or the window locks mat not be used. An open or unlocked window provides easy access for a burglar. If the window is loose-fitting or rotting this provides another easy opportunity for a forced entry.
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Make sure window locks are fitted, that keys are available and that the locks work
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When locking the window lock remove the key to a safe place
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Always check that windows are closed and locked when the house is unattended
Windows on the ground floor are particulary vulnerable, but also vulnerable are windows that open on to a flat roof, a balcony or anywhere an intruder may have easy access.
For extra security fit `window bars, wired glass or laminated glass.
Basements & Lofts
If you have a basement or cellar remember to check it paying attention to windows, doors and other access points. A stairwell with steps leading down to a basement is ideal for a criminal who can break in unseen.
Check the roof space. If the house is part of a terrace and the common dividing walls in the roof space between houses have large gaps then a burglar could climb through the roof space from one house to the next giving access to each house. (This is also a fire risk)
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