The Ultimate Guide to Securing Your Front Door

Your front door is your home’s first line of defence, so making sure it’s secure is a must. A weak or outdated door can be an easy target for burglars, but with a few simple upgrades, you can make it much harder to break in. Whether you’re looking for a quick fix or a complete security overhaul, this guide will walk you through the best ways to keep your front door safe.


1. Start with a Strong Door

Before worrying about locks and gadgets, take a good look at your front door itself. If it’s flimsy or hollow, no amount of security add-ons will make it truly safe.

What Makes a Strong Door?

  • Solid wood or metal doors – These are tough and difficult to force open.
  • Composite doors – A great mix of durability and insulation.
  • Avoid hollow-core doors – They may look solid but can be broken down with a strong kick.

If your door feels light or weak, upgrading to a sturdier one is a smart move.


2. Upgrade Your Locks

Your locks are the most important part of your front door security. If they’re easy to pick, snap, or bypass, burglars won’t have much trouble getting in.

The Best Lock Options:

  • BS3621 Deadlocks – These meet British Standards and are often required by home insurance policies.
  • Anti-Snap Euro Cylinders – Protect against lock snapping, a common break-in method.
  • Smart Locks – Allow keyless entry and remote access, so you never have to worry about lost keys.

A locksmith can check your locks and recommend the best upgrades to suit your door.


3. Reinforce the Door Frame

Even the best locks won’t help if the door frame is weak. Burglars often kick in doors by targeting the frame, so strengthening it is a must.

Simple Ways to Reinforce Your Frame:

  • Install a London Bar – Strengthens the lock side of the frame.
  • Fit a Birmingham Bar – Reinforces the hinge side to stop forced entry.
  • Use longer screws (at least 75mm) – Secure the strike plate deep into the frame for better resistance.

These small upgrades can make your front door much harder to force open.


4. Improve Visibility and Monitoring

Burglars love to work unnoticed, so increasing visibility around your front door is a great deterrent.

Easy Ways to Improve Security:

  • Peepholes and Door Viewers – Let you see who’s at the door without opening it.
  • Smart Doorbells – Allow you to check visitors via your phone, even when you're not home.
  • Motion-Activated Lights – A sudden flood of light can make burglars think twice.

The more visible and well-lit your entrance is, the less appealing it will be to intruders.


5. Secure the Hinges and Letterbox

Sometimes, burglars use unexpected methods to gain entry—like prying off the hinges or fishing for keys through the letterbox.

How to Prevent This:

  • Hinge Bolts – Stop burglars from removing the door from its hinges.
  • Letterbox Restrictors – Prevent intruders from reaching in to unlock the door from inside.
  • Letterbox Cages – Stop criminals from using rods or wires to hook keys through the letterbox.

A few small tweaks here can go a long way in keeping your home safe.


6. Add Extra Security Features

If you want even more protection, consider adding an extra layer of security.

Bonus Security Options:

  • Security Chains and Door Limiters – Let you open the door slightly without fully unlocking it.
  • Door Jammers – Add resistance against forced entry.
  • Alarm Systems – Even a visible alarm box can scare off potential intruders.

The more obstacles you create, the less likely a burglar will attempt a break-in.


Final Thoughts

Securing your front door doesn’t have to be complicated. With a solid door, good locks, a reinforced frame, and some extra security features, you can make your home much harder to break into.

If you're unsure whether your door is secure enough, get in touch with Locksmiths Winchester. We can help you upgrade your locks, reinforce your door, and give you expert advice on home security.

A little effort now can save you a lot of trouble later—stay safe!