Home Security - locks and doors

[damar2000]

I've been doing some research into standard euro door locks - the type that you get in UPVC doors.
Apparently they can be bumped or snapped very easily allowing people to get into your home with very little effort.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hwZrU9QzgM

I changed all my door locks with Avocet ABS locks (the new type) recently - they are expensive but after lots of searching I couldn't find anything negative about them. They appear to be the best available at the moment. They were very easy to fit yourself.
Apparently they can still be snapped but when snapped you can't get access to the lock mechanism so the burgler couldn't unlock the door, but the householder still can from the inside.

I'm also going to replace my doors for reinforced composite Rockdoors - which unfortunatley means replacing the bloomin locks again as the people fitting the rockdoors don't supply the ABS locks.

[lisaloolibell]

ive been watching vids on youtube showing you how to use rake keys or bump keys and im amazed at how quickly someone could enter your property and its so easy to buy a full set of keys in the uk.
Definitely something worth looking at.

[metatron]

There are a few companies like http://www.imajsteeldoors.com/ that sell high security doors that look relatively normal, there are also companies that sell triple glased laminated windows, that will stop bullets along with most other things.

The issue with home security is the price, a lot of the time its cheaper to just buy one of the many large safes formally from post offices and banks as they tend to be under the £800 mark, also get a dog.

(not sure why he didn't drill the bolt or just the cut lock out, or even easier go through a window in that video.)

[damar2000]

My neighbor fits high security industrial doors and shutters. I spoke to him about secure doors and he advised a composite door as they are more than adequate to stop people getting in. I went for Rockdoors with additional steel mesh core and 5 hook lock system - About £2000 for front and back doors and some side glazing (all laminated). I reckon about 50% more than a noral UPVC door. I initially investigated high security steel doors but they are really expensive and designed more for rich people who are potentially high profile targets. For a normal residential home a high security composite should do.

As far as cutting the lock out - that would take a lot of time - 20 minutes + which would put most burglars off. More secure doors (ie with steel mesh core) would also be almost impossible to cut through. Bumping and Snapping exploit weaknesses in Euro locks and are easy and quick which is why you need to protect yourself against this. The ABS locks are about £40 each and after investigating this I would say they are essential. I'm getting some for my mum's house too.

Getting in through windows - I will be purchasing some security film to put over the windows which stops the glass shattering and takes a lot longer to get through.

It's all about slowing burglars down and forcing them to make more noise. You can never stop a committed intruder but you can make it very difficult for them.

As I don't have much worth putting in a safe there isn't much point installing one. I just want to stop people getting into the house.

[dizzydays]

Thanks for this. After reading your post I did a bit of checking and watched the youtube vids - realised my door is very easy to break into. I've ordered the Avocet ABS lock.


Dizzy

[hamiltonlee]

There are several methods to consider for increasing the security of your windows. For security doors and windows ensure that they have solid fixed frames. These frames should be of any strong material and must fit the door or window firmly so that the intruder is unable to lift the door or window. In addition to this make sure that there are suitable locks for doors as well as windows.