Is Your Front Door Secure? 7 Signs Your Locks Need Upgrading
Most people only think about their locks when something goes wrong. The trouble is that a lot of break-ins happen through doors that looked perfectly fine from the outside. The lock was just old, worn, or the wrong type for the door.
We fit and change locks across Clapham and South West London every week, so we see the same weak points again and again. Here are seven signs your front door locks are due an upgrade, and what to do about each one.
Quick checklist. Your locks probably need upgrading if the cylinder sticks out past the handle, you have just moved in, your uPVC door has a basic cylinder, your front door only has a nightlatch, your locks are not British Standard, you have had a break-in, or the lock is stiff and hard to turn. More detail on each below.
1. The cylinder sticks out past the door handle
If the euro cylinder on your uPVC or composite door pokes out beyond the handle, even by a few millimetres, it is an easy target. Burglars grip the exposed part and snap it in two, which is the most common way they get through modern doors, and it takes only seconds.
What to do: fit a cylinder that sits flush and resists this attack. Have a look at our guide to anti-snap locks to see how snapping works and how to stop it.
2. You have just moved in, and you do not know who has a key
When you take over a home, you have no real idea how many keys exist or who is holding them. The previous owners, their family, estate agents, builders and cleaners may all have had one at some point. A spare key in the wrong hands is a security gap you cannot see.
What to do: change the locks, and if you want to control exactly who can ever hold a key, look at a restricted key system, where keys cannot be copied without your authorisation.
3. Your uPVC or composite door still has a standard cylinder
Most uPVC and composite doors are fitted with a basic euro cylinder as standard, and a basic cylinder offers very little resistance to snapping, drilling or picking. If yours has never been upgraded, it is likely the weakest part of your door.
What to do: upgrade to a 3-star anti-snap cylinder. The Ultion lock is one of the best, with a lockdown feature that locks the cylinder down if someone tries to snap it.
4. Your front door relies on a nightlatch on its own
The classic nightlatch, the one most people call a Yale, latches automatically when you close the door, which is handy. On its own, though, it offers convenience more than real security, and a basic nightlatch can be slipped or forced.
What to do: pair it with a British Standard mortice deadlock, or fit an auto-deadlocking, insurance-approved Yale nightlatch that resists being forced.
5. Your locks are not British Standard (BS3621)
Most home insurers expect your final exit doors to have British Standard BS3621 locks. If yours do not carry the BSI kitemark, you are not only less secure, you could also have a claim refused after a break-in.
What to do: check your locks for the kitemark, and if they fall short, have your locks replaced with British Standard versions that keep your policy valid.
6. You have had a break-in, or an attempted one
Even a failed attempt usually leaves damage, and it tells you your door is a target. A cylinder that has been snapped, drilled or forced should never just be refitted, because its weak point is now obvious.
What to do: get the damage sorted and upgrade the lock at the same time. Our burglary repairs service makes the door secure again and fits a stronger lock while we are there.
7. The lock is stiff, or the key is getting harder to turn
A lock that is stiff, sticky, or needs a jiggle to work is wearing out. A worn lock is far more likely to fail at the worst moment, either leaving you locked out or, worse, failing to lock properly at all.
What to do: do not ignore it. A stiff lock can often be sorted quickly, and if it is beyond repair, replacing it now beats being stuck on the doorstep later.
Spotted one or more? Here is what to do next
If any of these sound familiar, it is worth a proper look before a burglar does the checking for you. Most upgrades are quick, affordable and far cheaper than repairing a door after a break-in. Call Clapham Locksmith London on 07584721484, and we will give you honest advice on what, if anything, your front door actually needs.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my front door is secure? Check the seven signs above. The big ones are a cylinder that sticks out past the handle, locks that are not British Standard, and a door that relies on a basic nightlatch alone. If any apply, your door is worth upgrading.
What locks do home insurers require? Most UK insurers ask for British Standard BS3621 locks on final exit doors, or a TS007 3-star cylinder on uPVC and composite doors. Always check your own policy wording.
How often should you change your door locks? Change them whenever you move into a new home, after a break-in, if you lose a key, or when a lock is clearly worn. There is no fixed schedule, but an old, stiff or basic lock is a good reason to upgrade.
Are anti-snap locks worth it? Yes. For most uPVC and composite doors, a 3-star anti-snap cylinder is the single most cost-effective security upgrade you can make, because it closes off the most common break-in method.
Secure your front door with a Clapham locksmith
From a simple cylinder upgrade to a full high-security lock change, Clapham Locksmith London can get your front door properly secure. Call us on 07584721484 for honest advice anywhere in Clapham and South West London.