How to improve front door security

There are many things burglars don’t want you to know, including that your front door security is often overlooked. A weak door, flimsy locks, or exposed entry points can make it easier for burglars to gain access.

Fortunately, there are several ways to strengthen your front door security, from upgrading locks and installing sensors to reinforcing the door frame itself.

In this blog, we’ll explore 15 practical and effective ways to improve front door security and keep your home and family secure, giving you greater peace of mind - whether you’re snug in bed, have popped to the shops, or are away on your summer holidays.

Why is front door security so important?

Front door security is crucial because it serves as the first line of defence against intruders and potential threats. A secure front door can help to safeguard your family, valuables, and personal belongings from break-ins and theft, along with potentially deterring criminals from targeting your home.

15 ways to improve front door security

1. Replace weak door frames and hinges

Weak door frames and hinges could be easily kicked in, making your home vulnerable to break-ins. By replacing your existing door frame with a solid wood or metal frame with reinforced hinges, it can help strengthen the door against forced entry. It’s important to note that if your door frame is already weak, the rest of our suggestions below may not be as effective.

2. Upgrade your front door with a stronger model

Whilst we often pick front doors for their aesthetic value, some more stylish models may offer little protection for your home - including hollow-core doors, made from plastic. These types of doors could be easily damaged, and pose a serious security risk.

To enhance your front door security, you could upgrade to a solid wood, metal or composite door that is rated for security. The stronger and more solid the material, the more protection it could offer your home.

3. Install an entry sensor or house alarm

When fixing a weakened door frame or replacing the entire door could offer a stronger line of defence for your home, entry sensors and house alarms can provide the second wave. These can alert homeowners to unauthorised access, integrated into a home security system for real-time notifications and enhanced protection.

You can also connect your home security system with 24/7 professional alarm monitoring, meaning that if you aren’t home and something happens, you can rest assured that a team is on hand to look after your property and respond immediately to any alerts.

4. Swap out glass door panels

Glass door panels can also be a security risk, as they are easy to break. You could use reinforced or laminated glass to make it more difficult for intruders to shatter the panels and reach inside to unlock the door.

5. Place glass break sensors near the door

If replacing your glass door panels isn’t an option, you could instead place glass break sensors near your front door. These sensors work by detecting the sound of broken glass, instantly alerting the homeowner.

6. Get a peephole

And talking of peepholes… A peephole allows you to see who is outside before opening the door. This can help you to make more informed decisions about who you let into your home or engage with in your entryway.

Some front doors come with peepholes already part of the design, but you can also purchase kits or contract specialists to come and install them. We recommend choosing a wide-angle peephole for a clearer and broader view of visitors.

7. Invest in a doorbell camera 

If you don’t already have a peephole, or are looking to upgrade, you could consider a video doorbell. A smart doorbell camera allows you to see and communicate with visitors remotely - whether you answer from inside the home, or from wherever you are in the world.

8. Opt for outdoor security cameras

Looking for a solution that can not only deter crime, but capture evidence of it if it happens? Visible outdoor security cameras can act as a strong deterrent to burglars, or any other potential intruder with ulterior motives, as the risk of getting caught is too high.

We recommend to position your outdoor cameras strategically, to cover all entry points of your home, for maximum front door security. You can also place home security stickers, warning wannabe criminals of their presence, in an attempt to deter them away. For more advice, check out our guide on how to install an outdoor security camera.

9. Position an outdoor security light

No potential criminal wants to be put in the spotlight, and that’s exactly what outdoor security lights do. Security lights can startle intruders, act as a deterrent, and improve visibility around your front door. There are two different ways you can approach porch light security - manual or automatic. With manual porch lights, you need to turn them on yourself. Automatic security lights, on the other hand, can be set up into your smart home system to turn on at certain times, or can be equipped with motion sensors to switch on when someone enters the vicinity.

10. Get a letterbox cage

Similar to how intruders could gain entry through breaking glass door panels, they could also use letterboxes to fish for keys or unlock doors. However, installing a letterbox cage can help to ensure that their methods remain unfruitful, as they’ll be unable to get anything through or past the cage.

11. Change your door lock

Standard door locks are often easy to pick or break. We recommend installing high-security deadbolts - a type of lock where a bolt is thrown into the doorframe, using a key from either side, to secure the door.

When changing your locks, be sure to contract a reputable locksmith for the job, and ensure that the lock itself meets BS 3621 - the British Standard for thief-resistant lock assemblies - to ensure better front door security.

12. Add a strike plate

A strike plate is a metal plate that's screwed onto the door frame and aligns with the lockset, providing a recess for the latch or bolt to engage when the door closes. A reinforced strike plate could make it harder for intruders to force the door open.

When installing a strike plate, we suggest using long screws (at least 3 inches) to secure the plate firmly into the door frame.

13. Install a night latch

A night latch, also known as a rim lock or Yale lock, is a type of lock that can only be opened and closed from inside the home. It can provide an additional layer of protection, especially for when you and your family want a peaceful, worry-free night's sleep.

14. Consider a front door security bar 

Security bars are becoming an increasingly more popular form of internal front door security - so much so that the Metropolitan Police have started to recommend them.

There are two common types of security bars - a London bar and a Birmingham bar. A London bar reinforces the lock side of the door, whilst a Birmingham bar strengthens the hinge side. You can use both simultaneously, or either or, depending on your preference.

15. Add a door chain

A further way to protect your home from the inside is a door chain. Whilst a door chain enables partial opening, the chain is short enough to help ensure an intruder cannot fit through the gap.

Door chains are also handy if you’re cautious opening the door to strangers, but do not have a peephole or doorbell camera to see who is there. You simply put the chain on the latch, and open the door - meaning that, should the person on the other side have ulterior motives, they shouldn’t be able to push their way into their home. Ready to improve front door security? Explore home security systems from SimpliSafe, or contact our helpful team for expert advice and tailored packages - perfect for your property.