Which Patio Doors Offer The Greatest Security For Your Home?

If you are looking to invest in stylish doors that really let the light in, patio doors are the way to go. Sure, we don’t get much in the way of consistently awesome weather in the UK, but patio doors are still a wise investment. They can boost the value of your home and provide an aesthetic touch that your home might be lacking at the moment. However, how secure are patio doors?

Ask any security professional, such as a locksmith, and they can give you valuable insight on how safe patio doors are (or aren’t). Some models are naturally safer than others. To help you get the best out of your patio door selections, we have teamed up with an expert Sheffield locksmith at Lock & Key to put together a guide about patio doors. 

Now, if you want to add some stylish new patio doors to your home, you can make sure you get the right combination of style and security!

Do Patio Doors Make My Home Less Secure?

Look, any door that is not fitted with high-security locks makes your home a risk factor. That is just a fact. Burglars know what to look out for when it comes to break-ins; they can quickly determine whether your patio door locks will be easy to break or not. The main deciding factors of security are:

• The style of your patio doors; some are less secure than others options

• The materials that have been made for your door are they durable?

• The type of locks installed in your patio doors; are they up to date?

• The age of your doors; when were they installed? Are they outdated?

If your patio doors have poor-quality locks and/or your doors have not been maintained, then yes, they could pose a potential security risk. However, that could be said about any kind of door. 

Should Patio Doors Be Made From UPVC?

Shopping around for patio doors means that you will come into contact with various types. In the UK, the most popular materials for patio doors include:

• UPVC. UPVC is probably the go-to choice as they are modern, low-maintenance and usually energy efficient.

• Composite. Composite doors are a good alternative to UPVC, usually matching modern property designs.

• Aluminium. Less common for patio doors, but these tend to provide the best level of physical strength whilst costing more.

• Wood. Typically, timber is the material used for wooden patio doors. They are more versatile in terms of your lock types, but can be hard to match into the property's aesthetic.

It should be noted that material is just one of the many deciding factors when buying patio doors. You should consider conversing with a local locksmith about your options. They can advise you on what kind of patio doors would be best for your home, both in terms of the visuals and security features.

What Are The Main Types Of Patio Doors In The UK?

If you go door shopping, specifically for patio doors, you might be surprised at just how many types of doors you can choose from. Most UK homeowners will choose from one of the following patio doors:

• Bi-Fold Patio Doors

• Sliding Patio Doors

• French Patio Doors

You also get single patio doors, but these are becoming increasingly less common. Let’s take a look, then, at the security level and overall quality of each of these patio door types.

Bi-Fold Patio Doors: How Secure Are They?

Generally, bi-fold doors feel like a more secure choice of patio door due to their lock types. While other patio doors use more basic locks, bi-fold doors are generally installed with multi-point locking systems in place. 

Bi-fold doors are not something that you should cheap out on. Sadly, many bi-fold door models are cheaply made and thus run into operational issues and wear and tear concerns much quicker than you would expect. They must be fitted by a professional as bi-fold doors can easily run into issues due to their general weight; ill-fitted bi-fold doors can see the hinges bend and break under the weight. 

That means that they provide the criminal with more than one problem to solve when they want to try to break into your door. MPL systems also stop the patio doors from being lifted directly off the track; they also provide an extra layer of protection in terms of physical resistance. A locksmith can provide recommendations for locks for your bi-fold patio doors if you feel they do not meet your expectations. 

Sliding Patio Doors: Are They More Secure?

Sliding patio doors are a bit different from bi-fold doors in that they generally do not come with a multi-point locking system as standard. 

However, you can upgrade to an MLP locking mechanism if you would prefer that. Ask a locksmith in your local area about upgrading your sliding patio doors. They can offer insights on how to make sure that the doors become more resistant, like bi-fold patio doors.

The challenge with sliding patio doors is that the market is filled to the brim with low-quality, generic sliding doors. That means they can run into problems like the track sitting, but also they might only have basic, low-quality locks fitted. It would be wise to call a locksmith to review your lock types first.

French Patio Doors: Are They Outdated?

As you might know, French patio doors are one of the more old-school styles that you get on the market. Many homeowners today avoid French patio doors as they are usually made from timber as opposed to UPVC. Therefore, they often do not match the aesthetics of your other external doors.

Generally, French doors should come with a 5-point locking system; this is not something we would recommend ignoring. It should have a 5-lever deadlock as part of the installation, as this adds extra security and makes sure the doors are not going to be easily manipulated. 

However, a quality, well-made French door set can be every bit as durable as a modern patio door. The challenge, again, is making sure you have high-security locks which have been fitted recently. We recommend that you speak with a locksmith who can carry out a review of your French door locks.

What Is The Best Choice For Patio Doors In The UK?

If only there were an easy, catch-all answer! The truth is, your decision will be based on various factors. These factors include, but are not limited to:

• The kind of style you want your doors to have; do you prefer classic wood or modern UPVC?

• The budget you have, more expensive, high-quality patio doors naturally will cost more

• The standard of locks that are fitted; even the best doors will be let down by cheap locks

• The installation of your locks; DIY lock fitting rarely, if ever, matches a locksmith's touch

• How old your patio doors are; wear and tear is often a silent killer for patio doors

There is no one-size-fits-all answer for your patio door question, unfortunately. Many locksmiths recommend that if you want the best combination between aesthetics and security, then you should consider aluminium patio doors with multi-point lock systems installed. 

So long as your locks provide you with locking mechanisms that lock upwards and downwards, though, you should be in a better place than having a singular locking point. 

General Tips For Upgrading Patio Door Security

If you want to make sure that your patio doors provide the aesthetic touch they promise without compromising security, we recommend you speak with a locksmith about features such as:

• Upgrading your locks. Speak with a locksmith every two to three years about the latest lock innovations; you never know when you could do with a lock upgrade.

• Maintaining your patio doors. Patio doors suffer from wear and tear issues, especially when it comes to alignment and track placement. Regular reviews are recommended.

• Security add-ons such as smart locks. You can upgrade to high-security locks that improve peace of mind, whilst implementing modern technology for the best results.

• Security grilles and other physical protections. These can make it harder for someone to break through your patio doors, especially if they have large glass panels.

• Perimeter security. The installation of motion detectors, sensors, alarms and CCTV cameras can make sure your patio doors do not become a potential security liability. 

The best thing that you can do, though, is call a locksmith. Patio doors are a great investment, but they can become a real problem if they are not cared for accordingly. 

If you want to avoid running into such a nightmare, call a locksmith. They can make sure that your patio doors are of a high enough standard. If they recommend any changes to the doors or to their security features, like locks, take action. A locksmith can offer valuable insights into the most vital changes to your patio doors so they provide the benefits intended without compromising security.