Replacement backdoor advice, following burglary.

elsmandino

Hello,

I was the unfortunate victim of a burglary over the long weekend and now have to try and work out how to repair the damage done to my back door.

They smashed the door at the hinges, so the frame itself is going to need repair, along with the door itself.

My DIY skills are pretty limited (particularly with anything like this) so I think I need a professional.

I would be really grateful for any advice on what to do:

1. Buy a front door and some frame wood and get a handyman to fix it.
2. Get a professional security or door company to come and do the work.
3. Or something else.

Any advice would be much appreciated - am still very messed up by the event and want to feel secure again.

Thanks v much.

Stooby2

Your house insurance should cover the replacement of the door. Leave it to them and get a professional company to do it properly.

Then, if you don't already have one, get an alarm. Either a professionally fitted one or a DIY wireless one. But just get one.

Ebe_Scrooge

Have you checked with your insurance company ? I'd have thought they would cover this - I'm assuming you're having to claim for the burglary anyway, so the door should be just part of the same claim.

elsmandino

Hi,

Fortunately, very little was taken of value - so little, in fact, that it is more economic not to make a claim when we took into account the excess and loss of no-claims bonus.

the_matrix

I would measure up and get a door from B&Q, wickes etc. They are good secure doors. Any door can be broken if the people are willing to do it. I'd get a handyman to install the door. Not that difficult TBH.

Ebe_Scrooge

In that case, I'd be tempted to get a local joiner to do it. The old adage is very true - ask friends & neighbours for recommendations for a good local person, and ask them for a quote. It's probably best to get them to supply and fit, they'll probably get the materials cheaper than you can anyway.

What sort of door do you want ? If it's a traditional wooden one, then it shouldn't be too bad, but if you're after a modern uPVC with multi-point locks, then you're probably looking at the thick end of a grand all in. They are good, and pretty secure, but not cheap.

Kernel_Sanders

Are composite doors not more secure?

elsmandino

Hello,

Thanks very much for all you responses.

I think that a solid wooden door is going to be the best compromise between price and security - the door that was kicked down was a stable door, which the police have since pointed out is never a good idea.

Is there any minimum requirement that I should look for in the door and what sort of locks should I be looking for?

Stooby 2 - very good point about the burglar alarm. In my haste to get a new backdoor, I had forgotten to look into this.

I have started a new thread here, so as to not diverge the thread too much:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/62979275#Comment_62979275

Any comments on alarms there, would be much appreciated too.

osdset

elsmandino wrote: »

Hello,

Thanks very much for all you responses.

I think that a solid wooden door is going to be the best compromise between price and security - the door that was kicked down was a stable door, which the police have since pointed out is never a good idea.

Is there any minimum requirement that I should look for in the door and what sort of locks should I be looking for?

Stooby 2 - very good point about the burglar alarm. In my haste to get a new backdoor, I had forgotten to look into this.

I have started a new thread here, so as to not diverge the thread too much:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/62979275#Comment_62979275

Any comments on alarms there, would be much appreciated too.

First thing, get an exterior rated door, ( seems obvious but you would be surprised how many people don't). Solid with no panels would be preferred so an exterior rated fire door would be ideal. However people like panels and glass etc for cosmetic reasons, that's up to you of course, just remember that every panel is a weak spot.


If the frame is badly damaged replace it.

As for locks I always advise two locks on any external door, they need to be at least BS3621 rated which is the minimum standard for locks on external or entrance doors to be acceptable to the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the police service.

For added security fit either security hinges, or security hinge bolts, both help prevent the door being kicked in on the hinge side.

elsmandino

Thanks so much for that - I completely agree that it is definitely worth forgoing the aesthestics of panels/windows etc. in exchange for maximum security.

I am going to take your advice and get a nice thick external firedoor - is there anything I should look out for in terms of thickness or material?

Thanks also for the mention of the hingle bolts - I have never heard of these but can see the obvious benefits and are going to get some as well.

I am also thinking of getting a birmingam and london bar for the door frame for a bit of extra secruity.

osdset

TBH if you are fitting hinge bolts or security hinges then a Birmingham bar is 'belt and braces'.

London bars are shaped to fit over the keep of Yale type cylinders so if you're not fitting a Yale it's going to look a bit odd.

Thickness of fire doors are determined by the fire rating, a FD 30 (half hour fire rated) will be around 44 mm thick, FD60 (one hour fire rated) will be around 54mm thick, either one presents a solid barrier, so cost might be your deciding factor there, both doors will be heavy especially the FD60.

If your new door is hung properly in a solid frame with decent locks then burglar Bill is looking at using a sledge hammer or a chainsaw to gain entry, kicking the door off it's hinges won't be an option.