Wooden Front Doors
A traditional wooden front door will often have a “Yale lock”, (nightlatch), fitted. It may have a mortice deadlock too. More modern wooden doors feature multipoint type locking mechanisms
Nightlatches
A great many wooden front doors are fitted with nightlatch locks, often referred to as Yale type locks.
There are dozens of different types of nightlatch available, with many different features, but a great many of them offer very little in the way of security, and we tend to recommend them only for convenience, (if you’re at home, someone can’t just walk in without a key for instance).
There are a number of very heavy duty nightlatch locks available, and the best of these are certified by the British Standards Institute to BS3621, and are insurance company approved.
Doors fitted with this type of nightlatch are generally accepted as not requiring an additional deadlock, we however, strongly recommend that you have both types of lock fitted.
To get the best security from a BS3621 certified nightlatch, it must be deadlocked from the inside of your property with the key provided. Failure to do this, (and many people fail to do this), greatly reduces it’s security value. This is why we always recommend the fitting of an additional mortice deadlock, (see below).
Mortice Deadlocks
Mortice deadlocks, often referred to as Chubb locks, should be fitted as the “main” security lock on wooden front doors.
A mortice deadlock should contain 5 levers, (these are inside the lock), and be certified to British Standards BS3621.2007
Deadlocks with fewer levers are sometimes fitted, but these are easier to pick, have fewer key combinations, and offer much less resistance to drilling and other lock forcing methods. More importantly, a lesser lock may actually invalidate your home insurance!
A 5 lever deadlock is always a great addition to a timber door. Remember too, that there is no rule to say that you can only have one lock of this type on a door. Adding a second lock will only ever increase the security of your door.
Multipoint Locking Mechanisms
If your wooden front door is of the more modern variety, then it may be fitted with a multipoint locking mechanism.
This is the same type of lock mechanism fitted to upvc type doors. It is operated by a lock cylinder, (known as a euro cylinder).
Although the multipoint lock itself may be complicated, and feature all manner of deadbolts, hookbolts, roller bolts and more, it should be remembered that all of this is controlled by just one euro cylinder.
Because of this, it is well worth making sure that your euro cylinder is as secure as possible, as a lot rides on it.
Additional Security
Door Viewers.
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Door Chains.
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Bolts
Remember, if the front door is your main exit door then you won’t be able to use any bolts from the outside. It might make more sense to have an extra deadlock fitted, as this could be used from either side of the door.
Hinge Bolts.
Hinge bolts are an essential, (but rarely fitted), security feature, for if you have a door that opens outwards.
They are actually little more than metal studs, which fit to the frame side of the door. When the door is closed, they automatically enter into holes on the door frame, preventing removal of the door if the hinges are attacked.
They are also useful against forced attacks on inward opening doors.
Please choose your next door type from the list below.
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Front Doors-Wooden
Front Doors-UPVC
Front Doors-Aluminium
Back Or Side Doors-Wooden
Back
Or Side Doors-UPVC
Back Or Side Doors-Aluminium
“Stable” Type Doors
French Doors/Double
Doors
Sliding Patio Doors & Bi-Fold Doors
Internal Doors & Internal Garage Doors
Other
Types Of Door
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Subject: Securing Your Windows