How safe are UPVC front doors?

[furball]

It must have been a very old window. The plastic strip all round is on the inside of the window now so can't be removed from outside.

I had a fogged up double glazed window replaced. I'm sure that was done from the outside.

 

[Drago]

I'm MOE trained, able to gain entry very quickly to places very quickly where criminals would rather I didn't. The average UPVC is very vulnerable. Better ones have hooks that latch outwards from the side target then straight bolts. Alas, brute force isn't necessary on most and Euro type locks are easily defeated, and it can be done fairly quietly and discretely too.

https://security-hardware.co.uk/locksmiths-cylinder-snapper-bar-euro-oval-anc-9543

 

[mustang1]

Someone told me that people spend a lot of money on expensive locks but forget to have secure hinges so if a thief thinks the locks are too strong, he just kicks the hinges.

Btw perhaps I should say he or she but I guess most burglars are of the former kind but idk for sure.

 

[Cuchilo]

I fitted one internally in my workshop that i had removed from a job . I was gobsmacked when i saw it wide open with the locks still engaged after a break in . They must have had a shock when the alarms went off though

 

[Milkfloat]

It totally depends on the door and the locks installed, but also how they are installed. Early PVC and euro-locks were easy to get through, the later ones are much better as are proper steel reinforced doors and people are better at getting the right length lock too. I am confident that nobody is coming through my doors, however they could still come through a window. Like bike security, you need to be better than others nearby and face the truth that nothing is fully secure.

 

[Levo-Lon]

I'm MOE trained, able to gain entry very quickly to places very quickly where criminals would rather I didn't. The average UPVC is very vulnerable. Better ones have hooks that latch outwards from the side target then straight bolts. Alas, brute force isn't necessary on most and Euro type locks are easily defeated, and it can be done fairly quietly and discretely too.

https://security-hardware.co.uk/locksmiths-cylinder-snapper-bar-euro-oval-anc-9543

A little old bill tale for you.

Old customer, i went to school with his wife, x copper..
He was part of a raid on a house..
It was his renter.. So he talked the sarge into letting him speak to the tennant to save the door..

 

[Archie_tect]

If you're looking to replace an external door look at the Police guidance on their 'Secured By Design' website... it's a minimum standard security standard. usually rated PAS 24. Any door manufacturer whose doors achieve that standard has researched and tested a series of security features which will be more reliable and more secure. + look at insulation rating- with an A energy rating with a maximum U-value of max 1.4 W/sqm.degC- the lower the better.

 

[Mo1959]

Are the composite rather than upvc any stronger? They certainly feel more substantial.

 

[Archie_tect]

Tend to be Mo... but anything can be smashed if someone really wants to get in, but it would take longer, they'd have to work harder and make more noise so less likely to try.

 

[Archie_tect]

BS standards, to ask suppliers about, for new external doors- if you're looking to replace yours soon.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Are the composite rather than upvc any stronger? They certainly feel more substantial.

On my list is a nice composite door in a light green maybe.
About 6-700 if i do it myself.
A lot stronger and much more attractive

 

[Cycleops]

We don't mess about with security down here. Every window has this wrought iron " burglar proofing " and our front doors are steel with bolts going through the top and bottom of each door, gun shot proof too.The lattice on the windows is so that they can't use a car scissors jack on the bars.
Still had stuff stolen though as petty thieves poke sticks through the windows to hook out mobile phones, and my shorts once to look for money, as we sleep with windows open due to the heat. Must get an electric fence.

 

[Archie_tect]

Decent range here... look to buy the latest PAS24 2016 if you can, but AS24 2012 is OK too

https://www.igdoors.co.uk/door-ranges/grp-doors

 

[presta]

My late father used to design windows and doors for Crittall. They used to hire an ex-burgler to test them, his tool of choice was a spade because there's one in every garden shed. IIRC the objective was resisting for a minimum time rather than stopping entry altogether.

 

[ColinJ]

Are the composite rather than upvc any stronger? They certainly feel more substantial.

SOLID composite doors - yes, MUCH stronger... (see 1 min 8 seconds into video).