Security doors come in a variety of shapes and designs, from those that imitate old wrought iron doors, to super see-through mesh that’s hardly there at all. Generally, they are built from steel or aluminium and they are a vital part of your home security equipment.

What are security doors designed to do?

Security and security screen doors are designed to let you safely open up the house to air and light while you’re at home.

While they provide some level of protection, given enough time and the right equipment, an expert burglar will be able to jimmy the locks of any door.  So ensure your door is professionally installed. Attaching a security door to a weak door frame or allowing enough space at the edges to get good leverage with a crowbar will reduce its effectiveness.

A combination of a professionally installed security door, security cameras for CCTV surveillance and a security services company patrolling your building, will make it practically  impossible for an intruder to get into your home.

What is a security door?

Security screen doors typically feature a metal grille set in a metal frame, often backed by a light mesh to keep insects out. The two most common metals for use in these doors are aluminium and steel.  They can either be hinged doors, or sliding doors.  They usually have a heavy duty lock and recessed hinges or edges making the door more difficult to force open.

Security screen doors 101

• Buy a door that meets Standards Australia and displays the Standards Australia logo. This is the easiest way to be sure that the door you choose is up to scratch;

• Have the door professionally installed, so that it meets the Australian standard for installation. This includes recessing the hinges and lock and making sure the frame is solid;

• Make sure there are no weak links in the security chain: a strong grille is useless if the lock is easily broken; and a solid lock doesn’t help if the hinges can be jemmied from the frame easily;

• If you live in an area of the country subject to storms and harsh winters, choose sturdy and durable frames and screen materials, such as aluminium.