Many of the questions we frequently get asked focus on the security of our doors. Keeping your loved ones and valuables safe is a primary concern for most homeowners.
While all our doors offer a high level of security, today, we are focusing on our slimline aluminium doors.
Whether you’re looking at patio doors or front or back entrance doors, slimline aluminium doors offer a high-security option to help you protect your home in style.
Smart Home Integration:
Many home and business owners are converting their properties to automation. Also known as a smart home, this is a building where security systems, lights and electrics, and heating can all be controlled remotely via a computer or smartphone.
Saving energy and increasing convenience, a smart home can also increase your security with cameras available to view on your smart device.
A high-security front door is a key component in a smart home. Since aluminium doors can fit any space, they are easily integrated into an existing system. Home security alarms for doors can be easily fitted to seamlessly integrate into your smart home system.
Secure Aluminium Doors
Aluminium is prized for its strength and durability, but is an aluminium door more secure than a wood or UPVC door?
Well, yes and no. Let’s look at a direct comparison:
Aluminium
Aluminium is strong and sturdy, difficult to break into and made to withstand pressure such as cutting and drilling, as well as inclement weather. It will last longer than UPVC or untreated timber, without regular maintenance, and will retain its full strength no matter how thin it is.
UPVC
UPVC is a more lightweight material. Although it is difficult to break and doesn’t require much maintenance, it will become less sturdy over time, leading to possible weak spots. UPVC has a shorter lifespan than aluminium (20 years versus up to 30 years). Another thing to note is that there is a smaller choice of locks that will fit a UPVC door.
Timber
On the surface, you would expect a wooden door to be the least secure. After all, it is easy to cut or drill through wood. H owever, wooden doors may have a steel core or frame reinforcement. Timber doors need some TLC, but if properly maintained, they will last approximately 56-65 years.
You can further reinforce your wooden door with a security gate, which would deter all but the most determined burglar.
Also, most locks can be worked into a timber door, so you can take your pick from the best locks on the market.
As you can see, if we are just looking at security, an aluminium or timber door is your best bet. However, there are many other considerations when making your decision, and all doors at Manchester Window Factory meet British Police Security standards.
There are several ways to further strengthen and secure your door (whichever material you choose) with built-in features and optional extras.
What makes Slimline Aluminium Doors doors so strong?
Aluminium is naturally strong and durable, making it ideal for home security doors. It is not just the raw material that makes our slimline aluminium doors strong and secure.
Security Features:
Built-in and additional security features only enhance the performance of external slimline aluminium doors. Knowing the glass cannot be smashed, the panels removed, or the locks picked, bumped, or drilled in your doors should help you sleep soundly at night and feel safe during the day.
It is not just homeowners who prioritise security. You may also need to secure your business premises. Aluminium security doors at the front, back, or side entrance doors are a solid option.
The peace of mind of knowing your home and business are protected from break-ins cannot be underestimated.
Industry Standards:
All of our doors carry the PAS 24 seal of approval from the British Standards Institution. To achieve this certification, our doors are rigorously tested by UKAS-accredited laboratories to ensure they can withstand unauthorised entry attempts. Tests comprise simulated burglary attempts and controlled manual tests such as cutting and drilling. There is no grey area with the test. The product either passes or fails.
Each door must comply with the latest UK building regulations and align with Secured by Design’s specifications.
With our slimline aluminium doors, you can rest assured that you and your treasured possessions are safe and secure.
Advanced Locking Mechanisms:
Home security doors are only as secure as their locking systems. At Manchester Window Factory, our home security locks for doors include multi-point locking systems and Ultion door barrels. Our locks are designed with anti-pick technology, such as indents or ridges on the internal lock pins. This makes it almost impossible to determine when the pins are at the right height, preventing the lock from being picked.
If someone cannot pick a lock the traditional way (using a paperclip or similar to manipulate the pins), they may try to ‘drill’ or ‘bump’ the lock. Our locks include ceramic plates or steel pins and a steel cylinder to prevent a drill bit from being inserted. Bumping refers to trying to get the pins to ‘jump’ above the shear line, moving them into the cylinder to open the lock. Anti-bump locks have more pins in shallow stacks, rotating disks or no top pins and programmable side bars to stop them from jumping.
Our doors are also fitted with anti-jacking systems to prevent the lifting and removal of the glass panels to gain access. You can also incorporate our doors into your security or smart home system.
Self-Secure Doors
A self-secure aluminium door is secure just by being closed. These doors have automatic ‘slam shut’ locking mechanisms that do not require any engagement with the handle. They simply lock into place when you shut the door. It may be installed as part of a smart home system or a standalone security feature. A door with this feature may also have built-in door sensors or smart security features, such as a doorbell camera.
High-Quality Materials:
We only sell and install the highest-quality aluminium doors. All our aluminium doors are manufactured using high-grade aluminium with reinforced frames.
A stronger door means a higher level of security, and our aluminium doors are weather and rust-resistant, so they won’t weaken over time.
We don’t stop at the aluminium frame, however. Our glazing options and selection of durable hardware and secure locking systems are also top-of-the-line.
Glazing
You can opt for standard double or triple glazing in your aluminium security door or solve another problem with specially-made glass to suit your needs.
Obscure glass – Obscure glass increases your privacy and, therefore, security by blurring and distorting images on one side of the glass. You can see out, but no one can see in. Choose from a range of Pilkington patterns and levels of obscurity.
Laminated glass – This coated glass is shatterproof, so even if the glass cracks, it would shatter and fall out of the frame.
Acoustic glass – prevents or reduces ambient sound transmission. It is also harder to break than standard glazing.
Maintenance and Durability:
Another deciding factor for many homeowners choosing aluminium security doors is the lack of maintenance required. Aluminium is anti-corrosive and requires very little upkeep to maintain it. You can easily clean an aluminium entrance door with warm soapy water and a soft cloth, including the glass. You may also need to check the track to ensure a smooth gliding action. Our aluminium doors are powder-coated to prevent water spots from occurring.
The low-maintenance nature of aluminium doors and their durability make them an excellent, long-lasting investment in the appearance and thermal efficiency of your home.
Sustainability and Energy Efficiency:
The last few years have seen a move towards more sustainable manufacturing and energy-efficient solutions within the construction industry.
Consumers and manufacturers are concerned with trying to reduce our collective carbon footprint. At Manchester Window Factory, we are committed to using sustainable and responsibly sourced materials wherever possible. Here are just a few reasons why aluminium slimline doors are eco-friendly.
- Aluminium is the third most abundant element in the world (after oxygen and silicon) and is readily available.
- Since it is much lighter than other metals, it costs less to transport and requires less fuel.
- It is built to last – saving the environmental cost of replacements.
- It is almost infinitely recyclable. It’s believed approximately 75% of all aluminium ever is still in use.
- When it does come time to recycle your aluminium doors, you can be sure it’s still energy-efficient. Recycling just one aluminium can produces enough energy to power your TV for three hours!
That’s before we get to the energy efficiency of aluminium doors in your home or business.
Aluminium is a fantastic natural insulator, particularly when combined with airtight seals and triple glazing in our doors. These doors ensure you retain more heat and prevent draughts, reducing energy bills and carbon emissions.
FAQs
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Get In Touch Today
At Manchester Window Factory, we are experts in providing and installing the highest quality UPVC, aluminium and timber windows. We can talk you through your options and offer a free, no-obligation quote for your consideration. We also offer a pay monthly scheme to help you spread the cost. If you would like further information on any of our products or services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
We look forward to hearing from you!
