How Can I Make my French Doors More Secure?

How Secure are French Doors? 

When installed correctly, French patio doors are known to be incredibly secure against breaking and entry. However, there can be instances in which choices in the design or installation of the door can hinder or compromise the increased security French doors traditionally offer. 

Common Security Issues 

Inward Openings - doors with inward opening designs can easily be kicked in by those looking to break in. It is easier to apply enough pressure to break inward opening doors than external opening doors. 

Small Panes - you are less likely to hear or notice a small pane of glass being broken as opposed to one whole width and height spanning pane. Small glass panes near the handle can be broken easily, which then gives thieves access to any internal bolts, helping them to get the door open. 

Single Cylinder Deadbolts - single cylinder deadbolts have a thumb-turn latch on the inside - this can be accessed with small panes as above, but the more cylinders you have available to lock your French door, the better. More cylinders mean more locking points, which are more difficult for burglars to dismantle. 

Centre Post Doors - including centre posts on your French door design means that the handles only lock in the centre and to one another, rather than locking into a fixed frame. 

French Door Security Tips 

Use A Quality Installer – great installation is by far the easiest way to ensure your French doors are secure. A good fitter will accurately measure the brickwork opening and source the right size patio doors to fit, as well as filling and sealing any gaps. The tighter your door is to the brickwork opening, the more secure it is in the frame. 

Check Your Glass – single glazed or even double-glazed glass is not the strongest when it comes to avoiding break-ins. These panes are not as impact resistant and will shatter under a small amount of force. All of our French doors are fitted with Toughened or Laminated Security glazing to ensure the doors are backed by the additional strength required. 

Use Multi Point Locks - fitting multi-point locks is a key way to increase the security of your external French doors. This ensures the doors are secured at multiple points around the frame, meaning more manpower and force is needed to manipulate them open. 

Add A Security Camera or Alarm – if you have done everything you can to keep your doors secure and are still plagued by worries of a break-in, adding a security camera or alarm to your French doors may put your mind at ease. Not only does the risk of being caught or identified act as a deterrent for most thieves, but even if they do commit a robbery, the cameras will make them easier to identify, giving you a greater chance of recovering your belongings. 

Remember to Lock Your Doors! - if you have recently installed French doors and are not used to using them frequently, you also might not be used to checking the locks! Make it part of your routine to check these doors before you leave just like you would your front door, just in case someone in your family has used them recently. It's better to take 30 seconds to check for peace of mind and to keep your home safe. 

Consider Curtains or Blinds – it is the biggest invite to thieves if they can look through the glass of your exterior French doors and see expensive TVs, games consoles and other valuables. If you have no choice but to leave them out, it is a good idea to hang blinds or curtains on the inside of your French doors in order to avoid advertising your belongings. 

If you have any questions about French door security, do not hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team, or shop French patio door options today.