The Scouts had it right with their motto: Be Prepared. It’s not about worrying – it’s about having peace of mind so you can get on with enjoying life. When it comes to home security, a few sensible precautions mean you can relax knowing your home and family are protected. After over 40 years of fitting doors and windows across Essex and Suffolk, Matthew and our team have learned what actually makes homes more secure. Here’s what we’ve found works best.
Start with a solid front door
Your front door sets the tone for your home’s security. Modern composite doors from manufacturers like Solidor and Endurance, all of which are included in our comprehensive range and we install regularly, are built with solid timber cores that make them incredibly strong and durable. They come with multi-point locking systems as standard, which means when you turn the key, you’re engaging multiple locks up and down the door frame. It’s reassuring to know your door is properly secured, especially when you’re heading off on holiday or settling down for the evening.
The importance of a good lock
Even the strongest door needs a quality lock. We fit doors with high-security cylinders from manufacturers like Ultion and Avocet that are specifically designed to resist the most common forced entry methods. These are 3-star Diamond-rated cylinders – the highest security rating available – and they come with manufacturer guarantees of up to £5,000. That’s how confident the manufacturers are in their product.
Don’t forget the simple things
Matthew’s lost count of how many times he’s seen keys left in the door – oops! We’ve all done it. You come home, unlock the door, walk in, and forget to take the keys out. We can’t fix your memory when it comes to the outside of the door, but have you thought about what happens when you lock the door from the inside but leave your key in the lock? Unfortunately, that makes it quite easy for someone to reach through the letterplate and unlock your door from the outside.
A security cowl on your letterplate solves this completely. It prevents anyone reaching through whilst still allowing post to be delivered. Simple, affordable, effective.
Other straightforward additions that make a difference: a door chain so you can see who’s there before fully opening, a spyhole for the same reason, and if your door has glass panels, make sure it’s laminated safety glass that holds together rather than shattering.
Standards you can trust
When we talk about door security, we refer to Secure by Design (a UK police initiative) and PAS 24 (a rigorous testing standard). The doors we supply meet these standards, which means they’ve been independently tested. Insurance companies recognise these standards too.
Back doors and windows matter too
Don’t neglect your back door – the same principles apply. And modern uPVC and aluminium windows come with multi-point locking and internal glazing beads, which means the glass can’t be removed from outside. If you’ve got older windows with external beading, that’s worth upgrading.
Practical upgrades for existing doors
If you’re not ready to replace your door completely, there are cost-effective upgrades that genuinely improve security:
- Upgrade to a high-security anti-snap cylinder – straightforward to fit and makes a real difference.
- Add a security cowl to your letterplate.
- Fit a door chain and spyhole.
- Replace standard glass with laminated safety glass.
Good security means peace of mind
The reality is that good security works because it makes your home an unappealing target. Most opportunistic issues are prevented by visible, quality security features. A solid door with proper locks sends a clear message that your home is well protected.
If you’d like honest advice about improving your home security – whether that’s a new door, upgraded locks, or just checking what you’ve already got – we’re happy to help. No pressure, just straightforward guidance from people who’ve been doing this for over 40 years.
