Door Security FAQ's

What kind of security should I fit on my external door?

In our opinion we advise you to have two good mortice locks on your door (One sash lock and one deadlock). Why? Well firstly having two separate mortice locks keeps the door secure at two different places on the door/frame (making it more difficult to force), and secondly aesthetically your door will look more secure by having two key holes, one in conjunction with a pair of lever handles (the sash lock) and the other covered by escutcheons (the deadlock). Most Insurance companies now insist on the locks being to British standard BS3621-2004 (see question below). We are also able to have both your locks work from the same key which can save a lot of messing about.

Having a door chain is also an excellent idea. It is no good fitting strong locks if an intruder can barge into your house as soon as you open the door. Fitting a simple door chain will allow you to open the door just enough to identify a caller without compromising your security.

My insurance company says that I must have an "insurance rated" lock on my front and back doors. What does this mean?

Any External door should always have a good quality mortice lock which is certified to British Standard BS3621-2004. This standard ensures the lock has the minimum amount of security required to protect your home from intrusion. The locks that have passed this standard have been put through various tests and have extra features which improve the level of security obtained.

What kind of security should I fit to my external pair of doors?

As well as using a mortice sashlock certified to BS3621-2004, it is also advisable to use mortice or "rack bolts" fitted to the top and bottom of each door. The bolts are hidden from the outside and operated by a key from the inside, so that if the glass in your door is broken, the the bolt cannot be withdrawn by hand - only by use of the key. If the door is outward opening, then hinge bolts should be fitted to protect the hinges from being forced and the door being removed from the frame.