Are Aluminium Entrance Doors Secure? Everything You Need to Know
When it comes to the sleek design and modern outlook, aluminium entrance doors are certainly worth all the hype. But the real question homeowners ask while installing a new door is ‘are they practically secure enough? This is the primary function an entrance door must fulfil and it’s not an option.
This guide distinguishes marketing noise from the reality, explores practical positives, and the vulnerabilities. It guides you through the factors involved in ensuring security. It also gives handy tips on how to make the security impeccable without compromising the outlook.
Key Takeaways
- Aluminium entrance doors are by nature sturdy despite being lightweight. However, the security depends heavily on the locking system and quality of glazing.
- Do for the reinforced aluminium or steel inserts for added structural strength of your entrance doors.
- Installation has a role to play in how safe your door is, whether it is a casement door, sliding door, or a pivot door.
- Multi-point locking is not an option, it is a must-have.
- Ask for certifications for your hardware before buying. For example, SS312 Diamond or PAS 24 for resisting forced entry.
- Choosing the toughened glass can take your entrance door’s security to next level.
- Instead of relying merely on marketing claims, get the doors and material tested from a reliable third party for peace of mind.
Is Aluminium a Good Starting Point?
Aluminium is different from timber or steel. It’s not weak, but not as sturdy as steel. However, aluminium used in the doors is the extruded aluminium with added chambers for additional strength.
Take them one step forward, and these doors also come with reinforcement inserts made with steel or aluminium. This makes them as strong as steel doors, if not stronger. So, as for the material strength, you get enough of it with these entrance doors.
However, security as a whole is rarely only about material. If you are using the sturdiest aluminium and have a single latch as your locking mechanism material is almost irrelevant. It is the combination of factors like impeccable installation and flawless locking that adds up to fool-proof entrance door security.
The Locking System: Where the Real Security Lies
In majority of forced break-ins, it’s not the frame that they smash, rather it is the locks that they manipulate. So, along with the sturdy, reinforced aluminium, the layers of locking system bring in the real safety.
Locking System Comparison
| Lock Type | Typical Security Level | Common Use Case |
| Single-point latch lock | Low | Internal doors, low-risk areas |
| Hook & multi-point lock (3-point) | Moderate | Standard residential entrance doors |
| Multi-point lock (5-point) | High | Front entrance doors, ground-floor access |
| Multi-point lock with anti-snap cylinder | Very High | High-risk residential and commercial entrances |
A 5-point locking system is among the ideal front aluminium doors for high-risk residential and commercial buildings. It uses a mix of bolts, hooks, and latches along the entire door. This means you’ve distributed the force along many points instead of centering it on a single latch.
The quality of cylinder you use with your aluminium entrance doors in another decisive factor. The common European cyinders can be easily snapped using the lock-snapping technique. This is why UK insurers have almost made it mandatory to use anti-snap cylinders for main entrance doors and ground floor entry point doors.
We always recommend our buyers to go for cylinders that are tested and certified for SS312 Diamond standard. These cannot be snapped or drilled easily.
Glazing: An Overlooked Loophole
Most aluminnium entrance doors suppliers provide the frames fitted with glazed glass panels. However, this needs to be specified. A sturdy aluminium door frame with a multi-locking system can be a total waste of resources if you’re getting a single glazed glass.
These single glazed glass panes can allow easy entry to intruders as they break open easily. At Starveils, we stress our customers to get practically fool-proof doors through proper glazing. This includes:
Laminated Glass
We prefer this over toughened glass because it holds together and doesn’t shatter with impact.
Double or Triple Glazed Glass
Here comes the second protective barrier. Glazing increases the threshold of force required to break open a glass panel. It also makes the process noisier.
Special P1A Security Glazing
We’ve been providing our customers with special P1A and P2A rated security glazing for improved security, especially for side access and ground floor doors.
Installation of Aluminium Entrance Doors
This is one of the most neglected factors when it comes to security of entrance doors. Even if you’ve checked for all the certifications and test reports, if your door is not installed securely, it can give loopholes for intruders.
Leaving gaps between frame and wall can make the frame move fairly easily when a force is exerted. One of the most common mistakes we’ve seen over time is when the customers do not pay attention to the quality of hinges. This leads to sagging a bit too soon. It is a common cause of misalignment in aluminium entrance doors and it even causes the multi-point lock system to fail.
This is why we have an experienced installation team always ready to help our clients with that final decisive step. Because we know that even a medium quality door installed carefully will be more secure than a premium one installed poorly.
Moreover, we always provide warranty coverage for our aluminium doors for added peace of mind.
Checking for Certifications
You can’t just rely on the word of mouth for the most crucial entry point to your house or commercial building. Asking for test reports is your right. It is always advisable to go for third party certifications. Make sure the commonly acceoted security standards are met by your aluminium doors manufacturer. These may vary with region. Some of the mst common ones are listed below:
Certifications Comparison
| Certification | What It Tests | Relevance |
| PAS 24 (UK) | Resistance to physical attack using common tools | Strong general indicator of door security |
| Secured by Design | Overall product accreditation, includes PAS 24 | Recognised by UK police and insurers |
| TS007 (1–3 star) | Cylinder resistance to snapping | Critical for euro-cylinder locks |
| RC2 (European standard) | Resistance to burglary attempts with tools | Common in continental European specifications |
At Starveil, we have these certifications readily available for our buyers. They are a testimony to the value we attach to the security of the aluminium entrance doors.
Why Trust Starveil for Secure Aluminium Entrance Doors?
Starveil has been providing high-quality, certified, secure aluminium entrance doors around the world for 18+ years. We understand both the engineering and certification requirements to ensure safety.
What we’ve seen over the years is that our premium, highly sturdy doors can fail to come upto the expectations of our customers due to poor installation. This is why, we take the responsibility of ensuring proper installation ourselves. From designing to manufacturing, and installation, your aluminium entrance doors are in experienced hands with us.
Right from the specification stage, we keep in mind that our aluminium doors, both commercial and residential, should support secure locking system and glazing requirements. Our reinforced frames are designed to give our customers, entrance doors that work as well as they look.
FAQs
Can aluminium entrance doors be fitted with smart locking system?
Yes, most aluminium entrance doors are compatible with multi-point smart locking and smart lock cylinders. However, you should confirm it with the manufacturer.
Do aluminium entrance doors rust or corrode over time?
They don’t corrode very easily even after years of use. However, for coastal regions, marine grade finish is recommended to avoid pitting corrosion.
How can I verify a door’s security rating?
Check with your aluminium door supplier for the certifications like PAS 24 or Secured by Design accreditation. Starveil provides these certifications and other relevant third party certifications.
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