Upvc front door security

hansi

Not sure if this is the right thread but thought I'd try it anyway. Most houses around here now have upvc front doors, and as I am very security conscious, I have noticed that there is a major problem with most of them. Most of the doors have lockable handles, but when leaving the property,or entering it, you physically should have to unlock/lock it with a key. Now this may sound obvious, but I have noticed that people arrive home and just walk in through the front door after being away most of the day and the house is empty, likewise people leave the house to go shopping etc and do not keylock the door.Correct me if I am wrong, but I am pretty sure that any insurance company would not pay out, if a burglary took place and the burglar just waked in?

I am fortunate in that my front door has a one way handle and once it is shut, you have to use a key to get back in. Of course thhis could be a drawback if you forget your key! Sorry to ramble on, but I thought it was quite important to mention.

maninthestreet

hansi wrote: »

I am fortunate in that my front door has a one way handle and once it is shut, you have to use a key to get back in. Of course thhis could be a drawback if you forget your key! Sorry to ramble on, but I thought it was quite important to mention.

Your door is not secure unless the shootbolts have been locked in place. If they haven't it's not too difficult to open the door from the outside via the letterbox with the right 'tool'.

PZH

hansi wrote: »

..I have noticed that people arrive home and just walk in through the front door after being away most of the day and the house is empty...

maninthestreet wrote: »

...If they haven't it's not too difficult to open the door from the outside via the letterbox with the right 'tool'.

:rotfl:

No offence, but...

hansi sounds like a stalker

maninthestreet sounds like a burglar

:rotfl:

hansi

Yes, I am aware of that and I always key lock it when I go out. My point was that an opportunist burglar could try the handle, and if it it was unlocked, he could walk in (not my door),without needing to use his "tools". What I am saying, that a front door should should be more secure than maybe a back door, because it is always visible to the public. I just can't fathom people who just have these "handle" front doors.

hansi

phoodless wrote: »

:rotfl:

No offence, but...

hansi sounds like a stalker

maninthestreet sounds like a burglar

:rotfl:

Ha Ha:T Watch your front door :rotfl:

Azari

hansi wrote: »

Not sure if this is the right thread but thought I'd try it anyway. Most houses around here now have upvc front doors, and as I am very security conscious, I have noticed that there is a major problem with most of them. Most of the doors have lockable handles, but when leaving the property,or entering it, you physically should have to unlock/lock it with a key. Now this may sound obvious, but I have noticed that people arrive home and just walk in through the front door after being away most of the day and the house is empty, likewise people leave the house to go shopping etc and do not keylock the door.Correct me if I am wrong, but I am pretty sure that any insurance company would not pay out, if a burglary took place and the burglar just waked in?

Are you sure that the door you see them entering is the only front door and not a door to an entrance porch iwth a further door with a Yale lock behind?

It seems very odd that a significant number of people are consistently going out without locking their doors.

fluffnutter

My friend doesn't even bother shutting the door. You can see right through her entire house to the kitchen at the back. You stand there shouting 'Hello! Anyone in?' only to find she's shuffled off down the boozer or to buy a paper or something.

daveyjp

Very few people lock the main entrance door when coming into the house - it's a faff getting your keys everytime you want to open the door.

Fit sash jammers and you don't need a key.

hansi

Azari wrote: »

Are you sure that the door you see them entering is the only front door and not a door to an entrance porch iwth a further door with a Yale lock behind?

It seems very odd that a significant number of people are consistently going out without locking their doors.

Absolutely sure!

hansi

daveyjp wrote: »

Very few people lock the main entrance door when coming into the house - it's a faff getting your keys everytime you want to open the door.

Fit sash jammers and you don't need a key.

So why don't these suppliers fit the type of front door I have. i.e. cant get in without a key and when you shut it, the handle is dead, so to speak, unless opened from the inside.

Kira000

hansi wrote: »

So why don't these suppliers fit the type of front door I have. i.e. cant get in without a key and when you shut it, the handle is dead, so to speak, unless opened from the inside.

That is what we have. You close door and pull up the handle and it is "locked"- the handle cannot be moved from the outside without a key.

We learned the hard way, that this is no where near secure enough, as we were burgled in the night whilst asleep upstairs, and my car got taken, lap top etc etc.

It is VERY easy for a burglar to quietly open the door using a tool and the letter box to turn the handle from the inside, and et voila, open door.

Moral of our story, as the insurers refused to pay out as there was no damage to the door, always lock your selves in at night using the key, as well as when you go out.