Most secure backdoor for house?

[Phil473]

I'd like to upgrade the backdoor for a more secure backdoor.

The property was actually broken into while it was on the market, shortly befor purchase. The intruders deatched or broke the botton panel of the door, leaving the upper glass pane intact.

What would be a more secure type of door?

Cheers for any advice suggestions.

 

[johnny2007]

Metal 4 inches thick.
They're standard in the continent.

 

[JohnD]

Anything but plastic.

 

[big-all]

you need to do it all as a package
beef up one area they will choose the next weakest, so update all security including noisy gravel security lighting thorny climbers weak trellis open front areas reducing cover from the front

reduce cover increase noise and light

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Latham steel doors will hands down be the most secure, you need a robust wall though because the side of the house will shake if they're slammed.

 

[Phil473]

you need to do it all as a package
beef up one area they will choose the next weakest, so update all security including noisy gravel security lighting thorny climbers weak trellis open front areas reducing cover from the front

reduce cover increase noise and light

Good advice.

Yes its part of a package. So far I've replaced the exsisting fence that borders off the driveway with a high fence and gate. Combined with a better backdoor, security light and cameras, plus a gate on the shared driveway, that should help secure the back.

 

[Phil473]

Latham steel doors will hands down be the most secure, you need a robust wall though because the side of the house will shake if they're slammed.

Something to consider. Semis built in the 30's, were not really designed with steel doors in mind.

Woth that in mind, what were the doors of the properties originally? Heavy wood? If so, perhaps that would be a step up over a modern backdoor, in terms of security.

Would like to keep a window pane for light. But may have to make it solid, to prioritize security.

 

[JohnD]

I have 7mm laminated glass in one door.

If you have a substantial wooden door, glass might be broken so the intruder can put his hand through and unlock it. Nightlatches are prone to that.

If it is the back door, you can have a deadlock in the middle, and rack bolts top and bottom, and put the key on a hook where it is nearby and accessible from inside, but out of sight from outside

A 1930's house would have had a 44mm wooden door. It might have had a large glass panel to let light in, which is a weakness, or multiple small glass panes, which can be broken through more easily and quietly to unlock it.

Burglars do not like climbing through broken glass full of razor-sharp pieces.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Something to consider. Semis built in the 30's, were not really designed with steel doors in mind.

Woth that in mind, what were the doors of the properties originally? Heavy wood? If so, perhaps that would be a step up over a modern backdoor, in terms of security.

Would like to keep a window pane for light. But may have to make it solid, to prioritize security.

They do plenty of glazed doors eg https://www.lathamssteeldoors.co.uk/security-front-doors/security-back-door/

 

[big-all]

Good advice.

Yes its part of a package. So far I've replaced the exsisting fence that borders off the driveway with a high fence and gate. Combined with a better backdoor, security light and cameras, plus a gate on the shared driveway, that should help secure the back.

a couple off points higher fences don't nescerilly give added security but they do give burglars greater cover and less danger prowling around as they cannot be seen going about there business
also keep in mind that your limited to 1m[sometimes 4ft if historical] in front off the principal elevation [front face off the house

 

[Screwsloose]

Would like to keep a window pane for light. But may have to make it solid, to prioritize security.

How about replacing it with 6.8mm laminated glass?

 

[JohnD]

Also use glazing tape, which is a sort of rubber foam strip with a strong adhesive which holds the glass firmly in its rebate and prevents it being pushed or picked out, even if smashed.

 

[Phil473]

They do plenty of glazed doors eg https://www.lathamssteeldoors.co.uk/security-front-doors/security-back-door/

Yes, I found that online last week. I'll give them a call.

 

[Phil473]

a couple off points higher fences don't nescerilly give added security but they do give burglars greater cover and less danger prowling around as they cannot be seen going about there business
also keep in mind that your limited to 1m[sometimes 4ft if historical] in front off the principal elevation [front face off the house

If I could, I'd have a couple of these on the back porch...

 

[JohnD]

The price looks fairly similar to a plastic door, but I should think the steel door is much more secure.