There’s a fair amount of confusion over what makes a really safe security screen door. To know what type of security door is right for you, you’ll need to answer the following questions:
What type of area do you live in?
Are there a lot of burglaries or break-ins in your area? If so, you’ll need the best security screen door and protection that you can afford.
Is there someone at home during the day?
If so, that will mitigate your risk of break-ins somewhat. Thieves will sometimes watch a person’s house for a while before pouncing. If there’s no clear pattern to your movements, or the house is almost always occupied, they’ll probably move on to their next target. However, this does not mean that you will not have intruders, they are becoming more brazen in desperate attempts to gain access to cars and cash.
Are you concerned for your personal safety?
We’re all different and our risk tolerance varies a lot. If you’re of a nervous disposition, or had a previous unwelcomed experience, and you don’t feel secure in your home alone, then your choice of security doors will need to reflect that.
Do you like to throw open your doors and windows in the evenings?
Some people love the fresh air, others will keep everything closed with the air conditioning cranked up. It’s a personal choice, however, if you’re a fresh air fiend, then you really need good security screens to let the breeze in and not unwanted guests!
What can you actually afford?
It always comes down to money, doesn’t it? While the latest “Crimsafe” door may appeal to you, it may not be in your budget. However, there are other options, so don’t despair.
What to look for in a quality security door
Materials
Aluminium door frames are preferred for their weight and durability to the elements. These frames generally have a deep receiver channel for the grille, so the edge can’t be easily prised out of the frame. There are a large number of standard colours, but powered coating is also an option for special orders.
Infill
The infill grilles can be made of either stainless steel or aluminium. Stainless
steel is the optimum choice, however, that comes at a higher price. Ensure the grille is 7 mm thick so they are not easily cut or broken. However, even a strong grille won’t keep out the determined thief if it isn’t properly fixed to the door frame.
Rivets are preferred instead of crimping, and they should not be easily accessible and also not too far apart. The rivets should be properly aligned so they securely connect the grille to the frame.
Sometimes the best security doors can be compromised simply because they’re not properly fixed to the door jamb. Your installer should also make sure the door jamb is solid before attaching any security door.
Locks
For best security, Triple locks should be five-pin cylinder or their equivalent, they can be keyed alike to other security doors if you have engaged the services of a reputable installer to do your installation.
Hinges
At least three hinges with fixed hinge pins are recommended, the larger the pins, the better.
Customised installations
This is important as an ill fitting security door will be seen as an open invitation to any would-be intruder. Ensure the security door you are considering is the perfect fit for your home. There are some very important steps to the installation process, and doorways are rarely the same from top to bottom. We measure in three places along the opening, and the measurements are often different from top to bottom. This is why a custom made, professionally measured security screen door is always the best choice as it will also allow you to match your doors and window grilles to the style of your home, and will be guaranteed to fit.
Installation and advice
What is most essential is finding a good professional installer who can give advice on the type of door that’s right for you. It’s a good idea to check the testimonials before hiring any company to ensure that their reputation is solid.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, you get what you pay for, and this is especially the case for the security of your home. Installing cheap, flimsy security doors and grilles for your windows is a false economy that could cost you in the long run.