Choosing the best front door security locks

One of the key functions of your front door is to keep your home secure and provide protection against intruders. Locks are one of the most important parts of front door security, so it’s essential to choose the best one for your door and home. There is a variety of locks on the market to ensure front door security but choosing the right one can be difficult.

As well as researching the type of front door you want, you should also look into the various types of locks available as well as their pros and cons. In this guide, we will look in more detail to help you choose the best security locks for your front door.

WHY ARE LOCKS IMPORTANT FOR FRONT DOOR SECURITY?

A good lock for your front door is vital for security as it’s the best way to secure your home against intruders. Whilst it may be true that burglaries have decreased over recent years, partly due to advances in home security, it’s still important to secure your home as much as possible.

Strong and reliable locks are a major deterrent for would-be intruders because doors are a common point of entry for criminals who are breaking and entering. Figures from the ONS showed that 76% of domestic burglaries in the UK were accessed through an exterior door.

Whilst CCTV and alarms are a good way to deter potential burglars, a high-quality door lock is the best way to prevent anyone from entering your home. Regardless of the other security measures you have in place at home, nothing is a substitute for the right locking system.

Are you looking to improve the security of your front door? Read our guide to ensuring your front door is secure here.

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A DOOR LOCK

There are a number of important points to consider when you’re deciding on the best door lock. These factors differ between individuals, which means that the right lock for your home will vary depending on your circumstances.

Factors to consider when choosing a lock for your home include:

• Door material – some options, such as five lever mortice deadlocks are not suitable for a uPVC door. Make sure that the lock you choose is compatible with the material of your door frame.
• Security standards – it’s important to be realistic about the level of security required in your area. If you’re at a higher risk of being burgled in your locality, it makes sense to invest in a stronger door lock that offers a higher level of security. Be vigilant and make sure you’re appropriately protected for the level of risk around you. Ensure the sure the door is fitted with a lock that meets the standards of PAS24, a set of requirements that guarantee a minimum threshold of security against break-ins.
• Home insurance requirements – different insurance providers have differing requirements for the level of home security you should have in place. If your insurance provider specifies the type of locks you should use, make sure you choose approved locks and always make proper use of the locking system. If you fail to do so, you may not be covered by your insurance policy.
• Ensure you choose a reputable supplier -finding a reputable door supplier will go a long way towards guaranteeing top quality and secure materials. Be sure to go through the proper channels in securing a reliable vendor. Front doors with a lower price is often an indicator of their quality and can sometimes hinder security.

Read our complete guide to front door security and hardware options here.

WHICH TYPES OF LOCKS ARE THE MOST SECURE FOR A FRONT DOOR?

Let’s take a look in more detail at some of the most popular types of lock available. Each option has its pros and cons and is best suited to different circumstances.

5-LEVER MORTICE DEADLOCK

As we have already mentioned, a 5-lever mortice lock isn’t appropriate for uPVC doors and is most commonly found fitted to a wooden door. A mortice lock is locked from both the inside and the outside and is fitted into the door rather than onto its surface.

Our ERA Easi T 5 lever mortice deadlock offers a high security level featuring a 20mm bolt throw and hardened steel plates on both sides to resist drilling.

MULTI-POINT LOCKING SYSTEM

These locking systems can be used with any entry door. They are always operated with a key, are fitted into the door’s body, and use between three and five points to lock directly into the door frame. This locking system offers great security but can be tricky to lock properly. Your home will not be fully secure if you don’t operate the lock correctly.

RIM LOCK OR NIGHT LATCH

This type of lock is usually fitted on wooden front doors or glass panelled doors. They’re commonly used on both front and back doors and are placed on the door’s surface. One of the key benefits of a rim lock is that it locks automatically when you close the door but you’ll need an additional lock for optimum security.

This ERA British Standard high security nightlatch conforms to BS 3621:2017 (BS EN 12209) and meets the tough criteria layed down by insurance companies and the Police.

You could also opt for a deadbolt lock that can only be operated by a key from the outside or a thumb turn on the inside. With a deadbolt lock, if you close the door behind you, the lock will automatically catch which means your door cannot be opened even if the main lock is unlocked. A deadbolt lock offers a little extra security for your door but should always be used in conjunction with another lock.

Find out more about front door security in our full guide.

LEVER LOCK

Lever locks usually come in three or five-point options. The higher the number of levers, the greater security the lock will provide. This type of locking system is operated from both inside and outside and provides a good level of security. However, it’s important to make sure your lever lock is an approved lock – many insurers specify you should have a five-lever lock as standard.

VUFOLD FRONT DOOR LOCKS

At Vufold, the security of the front door you buy is of the utmost importance. All of Vufold’s front doors can be supplied with a dead lock and night latch, both of which are optional extras when you buy your front door. These must be fitted by a competent tradesperson when having your new front door fitted to ensure that they are fitted correctly.

If you’d prefer, you can fit a multi-point lock to our doors but it can be difficult and time consuming. The dead lock and night latch we provide will ensure the security of your doors so you can be assured that they will provide you with as much security as possible.

Are you looking to find out more about the different hardware options for front doors? Read our full guide to front door hardware here.

Other security features and options from Vufold

In addition to providing a large range of locks, we can also provide:

A range of secure handle options

The type of handles available depends on the front door material you choose – however, all of our handle options meet the required security regulations and provide a reliable option for your front door. Our handle options for our wooden front doors include long bar handles, double long bar handles, and short bar handles. Night latches and dead locks are also available for maximum security.

All Composite doors include a chrome lever handle, and upgraded hardware can be selected in the configure and buy section. Upgrades include a stainless-steel lever handle, or the options of a short bar, long bar, and double long bar handle. Shop our complete front door range to find out more.

Spy holes

Although of little use when you’re not at home, installing a peephole, or spy hole, will allow you to investigate who is at the door and make a conscious decision about whether to open it. Potential scammers and thieves are less likely to try a door with a peephole installed, as they lose the element of surprise necessary for many of their schemes.

This door viewer, for example, has a crystal glass lens - giving you peace of mind by enabling the viewer to see who is on the other side of the door before opening it.

It comes in a satin stainless-steel finish, 304 grade meaning it’s resistant to corrosion and extends to fit doors that are between 35mm and 55mm thick.

View our complete range of Ultimate wooden front door accessories here.

Secure glazing

The benefits of adding glazing to your door are not limited to heat and energy efficiency. Double and triple glazing can make it far more difficult for a burglar to force entry as, not only does it effectively create another barrier of entry to your home, it also makes it far more difficult for a burglar to force entry.

At Vufold, we offer double glazed front doors, providing a cost-effective and thermally efficient option for your home.

All of these elements help to make your front door as secure as possible which is why we offer the highest quality door hardware.

FAQS

WHAT IS THE BEST LOCK FOR A WOODEN DOOR?

When it comes to locking systems for wooden doors, there is some flexibility in the lock you choose. A night latch, mortice deadlock or mortice sash lock are all suitable options. Your lock should always conform to British Standard BS3621.

WHAT IS THE MOST SECURE LOCK TO PREVENT LOCK SNAPPING?

A Euro cylinder lock is generally thought of as the best option for preventing lock snapping. They’re designed and tested to stand up against this type of attack.

To find out more about choosing the best lock for your front door, please contact our expert team today.