Need a very secure front door

shopaholicsan

Can anyone please offer me some advice.
I live in Manchester and there have been local incidents of burglars kicking in front doors to access the house with or without occupants! I have already been burgled, fortunately when I was out and on another occasion been threatened with a gun at home too. Needless to say I am terrified in my home and really want to make it secure enough to make me feel safe again. I have about £600 to spend - can I get a UPVC door with the bolts that fit into the frame fitted for that? If so, how do I make sure the supplier is a good one that will fit it properly? The door I have now is solid wood but only has a yale lock and mortice lock. In summer the door swells in the heat and makes it difficult to lock the mortice. Would it be as effective to get more bolts and locks fitted to that or better to get a UPVC door?
Any suggestions gratefully received.
Sandra

alanobrien

Not sure about the cost differences but you may want to think about an Aluminium front door, that will be tougher to get past than a wooden or UPVC door.

Mr_Proctalgia

Have a think about one of these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-HIGH-QUALITY-STEEL-SECURITY-GARAGE-DOOR-OR-DOORS_W0QQitemZ6057874888QQcategoryZ85892QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

wobbley

Before that nice man Mr Blair took away my pistols I had to have my house really secure. I braced my existing door with steel bands and bolted angle iron next to the frame to make it stronger. I know, it sounds like it looks hideous, but it didn't actually, with a lick of paint.
Personally I would forget UPVC and stick to a good sturdy wooden door with little or no glass. Hinge bolts are good and get the best quality locks you can afford. At least 5 lever but 7 lever are better and put hefty security bolts at the top and bottom, not the flimsy ones that screw 'on' with 1/2" brass screws. Also, make sure that the frame is equally as sturdy as the door.
Alternatively you could go for one of the metal security grilles that have become so popular on the 'back to backs' (peeps from darn sarf may not know what these are!).
Or if you want to feel really secure, maybe look into something like this - http://www.steeldoorsdove.co.uk/ballistic.htm
Also from the sound of it, an alarm may add to the 'peace of mind' you're seeking.

Ivrytwr3

Had to do a door entry in a suspects home and it took us ages, no fancy locks, steel enforcing, but a lump of 4 x 4 wedged on his staircase to the centre of his front door. Ended up having to cut the door and knocking the plank out!

But if this isn't an option contact your local crime reduction officer as he will (hopefully) come out and advise you of your best options. Also he may have access to government funding or have access to special discounts for you.

wobbley

Ivrytwr3 wrote:

But if this isn't an option contact your local crime reduction officer as he will (hopefully) come out and advise you of your best options. Also he may have access to government funding or have access to special discounts for you.

Just one word of warnng here. Crime Prevention Officers can be a great help and a source of good, informed advice. I don't know if it is still the case or even if it applies to all areas, but the Police usually have a list of "Approved" security/alarm companies. On doing a bit of 'digging' of my own it transpired that to become "approved" in my local area you had to pay the Police £400, no vetting or checking took place. So if you do get a company to fit a new door or do other security work, best to go for one that is recommended or one that can supply references.

shopaholicsan

Thanks so much for your suggestions, I am off to look into them all.
Sandra

securityman

I would say get a metel gate fitted a couple of feet away from your front door in your hall way.
Or get a handy man to sort your door with some sort of brace. Get him/her to sort your locks.
As someone else said, get a nice bit of 4x4 and prop your door of your stairs if you can.

Sm

Ivrytwr3

I would say get a metel gate fitted a couple of feet away from your front door in your hall way.

Had another job like that where the intel was the suspect had a metal gate. In order to get in really quickly we decided to go through the back window and not mess about with the gate. Only problem was it was 3rd or 4th floor flat!!! So queue police van with ladders attached to roof, up and through the guys back window and job done.

Once everything had calmed down and the flat was searched, it was didcovered the guy hadn't locked the metal gate!!

Wig

After an insurance claim in London, the insurance paid for a full length door lock which was a bar which hinged in the centre of the door and went upwards and downward when turned. I can't see one on the internet to show you.

robowen

If your front door gets the sun, an aluminium or plastic door will not be the best option. I've had both, and the current front door creaks when it warms up and again last thing when you're going to bed. It makes the noise similar to someone trying the handle. I keep getting up and seeing if someone is there.
I would always have a wooden door in preference to anything else.
Heres some advice my joiner mate gave to me last time I changed my door :beer:
Try to find a good quality hardwood door. £200 is way too cheap.
Buy from a specialist manufacturer of doors if possible and not B&Q.
Have a decent joiner fit the door, not the bloke you met in the papershop that does odd jobs now and then.
Read the instructions for the door before fitting. Leave the door in the room where it's to be fitted to aclimatise.
Once the door is fitted, get some decent protection on it. Not the 1 hour / 1 coat stuff.
Fit 3 steel bearing hinges with combined hinge bolts if possible.
2 Chubb 3g114 deadlocks key alike, fitted 3/4 way up and 3/4 waydown the door. (If you have to get out in an emergency, you dont want to be fumbling around trying to find what key fits what)
Yale nightlatch or 5 lever sash lock and handles as other main lock.
I prefer the yale option as the door can be slammed shut and will be locked without the key in an emergency, no-one can push the door back in your face. If you have a plastic door you will have to make sure the door is always locked by the key.

Hope this helps.

rob