Maximising Home Security with the Right Doors

Step 1: Walk your home's entry points

Go around the outside and note every way in:

• Front, back and side doors
• Sliding doors to decks and patios
• Garage internal access doors
• Ground-floor and easy-to-reach windows
• Balconies reachable from outside

Step 2: Rank them by risk

Openings hidden from the street, at the back of the house, or near fences and bins are usually the most vulnerable. These are where extra protection matters most.

Step 3: Layer your protection

Where security doors fit

A security door lets you keep the main door open for breeze and light while the entry stays locked. On sliding doors to the backyard — often the least visible entry — a sliding security door adds protection where it's most needed. For choosing a door itself, see our buyer's guide.

Where roller shutters fit

For windows and glass doors that are vulnerable or left closed for long periods, roller shutters cover the glass entirely and add privacy.

Common mistakes

• Securing the front door and forgetting the back or sliding doors
• Choosing on looks alone without checking the lock and frame
• Leaving keys in deadlocks or near doors
• Neglecting maintenance so locks and closers stop working properly