Home security is an important consideration even as crime rates drop. Residential burglaries still make up a large chunk of property crimes. When it comes to property crimes, burglars have actually stated in interviews that they prefer to break in through doors because it is the quickest and easiest way to get into a home.
Having a home security system is important in deterring burglars from wanting to break into your home, but a quality door can also help to deter criminals. This is because some doors are much easier to force open than others. Burglars can kick in, pry open, or spread apart doors and door frames to get inside of a home. Unfortunately, many homes have doors with a hollow core. These are the easiest to force open. Even if they have a solid wood veneer, the hollow core makes them easy to break through. Below you will find some exterior door materials that offer much more security.
Fiberglass Doors This is a newer exterior door material. It provides great insulation, a number of different looks, and a very low-maintenance option. It is best to stay away from cheap fiberglass doors which have been known to present big maintenance issues. A good qualify fiberglass door is more expensive than most other exterior doors but it will be very durable. High-quality fiberglass doors are resistant to scratching, denting, molding, rusting, warping, and deteriorating--common problems that occur with other door materials. Fiberglass doors tend to be on the costly side because in most cases you also have to pay for accessories and various hardware.
Metal Doors Metal is another great exterior door material. Metal doors are a great home security option because they are nearly impossible to force open. The material can be on the more expensive side when you choose a higher qualify metal. However, as with fiberglass, this is a must. Choosing a low-grade metal will cost you more in maintenance down the line. For example, a lower priced, high-gauge steel door will probably rust and will not hold paint as well. Tip: the lower the gauge number the higher the quality. A 22-gauge steel is very different from a 24-gauge steel in terms of quality. Keep in mind that metal doors must also have metal frames.
uPVC Doors Rigid PVC or vinyl, referred to as uPVC, is also a fairly new material used for exterior doors. Like fiberglass, uPVC also offers great insulation--this is why the material is used for things like plumbing, windows, and house siding. Rigid PVC is a durable and affordable material. If you have considered installing a uPVC door, then you should also know that it will require the use of special door frames. These doors are harder to force open than solid wood doors, and are a more affordable choice than metal or fiberglass doors.
Solid Wood Doors These are the next step up from hollow core doors. Solid wood doors are a traditional option that can also enhance your home security. This exterior door material however will require maintenance throughout the years. When solid wood is exposed to the elements it is prone to crack, peel, and dry out. Still, solid wood doors are an attractive option that will cost a great deal less than other exterior door materials. They are also one of the easiest types of doors to install.
Keep in mind when selecting a new door, whether it be for home security or design purposes, that nothing is maintenance free and that there can be big difference in quality from one product to another. To avoid long-term maintenance and material "failures" it is best to buy a high-quality product. However, exterior doors of all kinds are exposed to the elements so at some point they will need maintenance. Of course, depending on the material you use and the quality of it, some may not need maintenance for a long time to come.
Having a home security system is important in deterring burglars from wanting to break into your home, but a quality door can also help to deter criminals. This is because some doors are much easier to force open than others. Burglars can kick in, pry open, or spread apart doors and door frames to get inside of a home. Unfortunately, many homes have doors with a hollow core. These are the easiest to force open. Even if they have a solid wood veneer, the hollow core makes them easy to break through. Below you will find some exterior door materials that offer much more security.
Fiberglass Doors This is a newer exterior door material. It provides great insulation, a number of different looks, and a very low-maintenance option. It is best to stay away from cheap fiberglass doors which have been known to present big maintenance issues. A good qualify fiberglass door is more expensive than most other exterior doors but it will be very durable. High-quality fiberglass doors are resistant to scratching, denting, molding, rusting, warping, and deteriorating--common problems that occur with other door materials. Fiberglass doors tend to be on the costly side because in most cases you also have to pay for accessories and various hardware.
Metal Doors Metal is another great exterior door material. Metal doors are a great home security option because they are nearly impossible to force open. The material can be on the more expensive side when you choose a higher qualify metal. However, as with fiberglass, this is a must. Choosing a low-grade metal will cost you more in maintenance down the line. For example, a lower priced, high-gauge steel door will probably rust and will not hold paint as well. Tip: the lower the gauge number the higher the quality. A 22-gauge steel is very different from a 24-gauge steel in terms of quality. Keep in mind that metal doors must also have metal frames.
uPVC Doors Rigid PVC or vinyl, referred to as uPVC, is also a fairly new material used for exterior doors. Like fiberglass, uPVC also offers great insulation--this is why the material is used for things like plumbing, windows, and house siding. Rigid PVC is a durable and affordable material. If you have considered installing a uPVC door, then you should also know that it will require the use of special door frames. These doors are harder to force open than solid wood doors, and are a more affordable choice than metal or fiberglass doors.
Solid Wood Doors These are the next step up from hollow core doors. Solid wood doors are a traditional option that can also enhance your home security. This exterior door material however will require maintenance throughout the years. When solid wood is exposed to the elements it is prone to crack, peel, and dry out. Still, solid wood doors are an attractive option that will cost a great deal less than other exterior door materials. They are also one of the easiest types of doors to install.
Keep in mind when selecting a new door, whether it be for home security or design purposes, that nothing is maintenance free and that there can be big difference in quality from one product to another. To avoid long-term maintenance and material "failures" it is best to buy a high-quality product. However, exterior doors of all kinds are exposed to the elements so at some point they will need maintenance. Of course, depending on the material you use and the quality of it, some may not need maintenance for a long time to come.
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