Secure Folding Patio Doors

Jul 30

07:55

2010

Caroline Chapman

Buying a secure bifold door can be uncertain territory for most people. Who knows which components are weak or vulnerable points that need consideration? Anyone could probably guess one or two of the main areas - things like glasses or locks, but what about all the other parts of the folding doors? Burglars or potential attackers will be sure to know exactly how to manipulate the door's weaknesses to their advantage, so it is important that you consider every aspect carefully and choose the level of security that is right for you, your home and your family.

Being well informed can make a huge difference in your choice of bi-fold door.These are the things you need to consider when shopping for secure bi-folding doors:

Lock - Of course, the lock is the first port of call for anyone when considering security. Important things to look out for is the brand of the lock, which security tests the lock has passed, how many points the door locks in and what the lock is made of. Poorly secured doors will have the bare minimum - an unbranded lock made from a cheap metal that has only passed the security tests necessary to meet regulations. These insecure doors tend to only lock in one place, or to have external bolts which you have to manually slide into and out of place.
Secure doors have a good security brand, like Yale locks, have passed security tests which test the lock to an enhanced level to ensure it offers as much security as is required, and lock at multiple points. Single action locking offers secure locking at all points with just one lock.
Glass - Most suppliers will offer you a choice of different bifold door glasses. Each glass has a different property - some offer protection against UV light, some offer a safety benefits and some offer a higher level of security. The security glasses you want to look out for are tempered glass and laminated glass. Tempered glass is much stronger than standard glass, making it harder to break. Laminated glass has a sheet of plastic sandwiched between the glass panes, so even when the glass has been broken, the plastic acts as a barrier.
Hinges - Hinges are one of the vulnerable points most people don't consider. The wrong kind of hinges can allow easy access to your property, regardless of how secure your locks or glass is. Pins can be removed, separating the hinge and freeing the french door panels. Security hinges use safety studs which secure the pin within the hinge, preventing it from being removed.
Running tracks - External running tracks pose a large security risk. This is due to the fact the folding door panels can easily be lifted off the tracks with the use of a crow bar. Look for enclosed running tracks, where the running gear is safely enclosed within the tracks and the tracks are either in the ground (flush tracks) or within a sill or threshold. This way, anyone with a crowbar is unable to lever the door off the tracks.

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