A resource for consumers, locksmiths, and security professionals
There are few decorative elements you can add to your home that showcase style and elegance quite like french doors. The carefully crafted window panes let natural light shine through and provide a warm, cozy feeling.
A french door isn’t an ordinary door. It’s an entryway full of possibilities that gives you a glimpse at the rest of the world around you. When the sun is bright and reflecting across the blue sky, your home absorbs that energy and harnesses the sunlight.
And when the clouds are gloomy with rain splashing your french doors, you’re immersed in the changing weather patterns. People enjoy being more connected with nature, but you also have to be mindful of french door security.
Improper french door security negates the beauty and excitement of having the doors installed. You won’t be able to fully appreciate your living space because you’ll never feel protected. United Locksmith has some advice on how french door security can be drastically improved via these three different methods:
But first, we need to address some basic talking points and answer a few frequently asked questions to help you understand french door security a little bit more. Knowledge is a powerful tool for improving physical security around your home, and there’s no such thing as having too much information!
French doors are used to brighten homes by increasing the amount of natural light coming in. Simply put, french doors have windows that extend to every part of the door for the maximum entry of light. You’re most likely to find french doors leading to a back patio or sunroom in a house, making french door security critical to the overall security of your home.
French door security, like all other forms of home security, can vary based on the circumstances. If installed correctly and equipped with the appropriate hardware, french door security can be very high! Now, to execute installation and guarantee quality, you might want to consider hiring a residential locksmith.
The main difference between french doors and double doors is the materials they’re made with. Traditionally, double doors are manufactured from solid core wood, whereas french doors are crafted from glass. As we mentioned earlier, french doors are distinguishable by their translucent windows to bring in more natural light.
This is a very important detail to know before installing french doors. You can have them open to either the inside or the outside, but not both. French doors can only open one way, so be sure to figure out which direction you want them to open toward prior to installation! We’ll dive deeper into the details later, but choosing a certain way could increase french door security as well.
The standard height and width of french doors are typically 80 inches tall by 6 feet wide. Measurements fluctuate occasionally, and custom sizes are always an option, but planning for those dimensions will give you a good idea of what to expect.
Perhaps this seems like an obvious solution, but equipping your doors with the appropriate locks will greatly enhance french door security. If someone attempts to infiltrate your home, most likely for criminal reasons, your french doors need to withstand the attack and prevent unauthorized access. There are many ways you can address the issue, starting with door locks.
Now, for the sake of transparency, even when you have high-security door locks installed as the first line of defense, locking picking remains a threat. Doors can also be kicked in, and windows can be broken for immediate access. A determined burglar will try just about anything to get inside their targeted home. However, by implementing the right security measures, you can put your house in a good position.
The strength of your fortifications gives you more time to respond to a threat. Strong enough security can even discourage criminals from spending the time needed to defeat your protections and bypass your door locks. So, let’s get into the gritty details of french door security and which door locks are fit for the job!
When it comes to choosing the right door lock that maximizes french door security, you won’t find anything better than a mortise lock. Known for their distinct appearance and door handle, mortise locks are the most popular lock used on french doors because they’re both secure and stylish. Its solid metal hardware and unique locking mechanism make it ideal for boosting french door security.
What makes the locking mechanism of a mortise lock unique is it has a rectangular lock body that fits into a pocket. The interworking of the pocket and lock body is extremely complex, with multiple moving parts that lock together perfectly. And when the mechanism is triggered, a deadbolt lock fastens into the pocket and provides optimal french door security.
Mortise locks are generally stronger than other door lock types because the lock mechanism is protected by a metal housing. This makes it harder to breach. You can further improve french door security by upgrading the mortise lock from a standard deadbolt to a double-cylinder deadbolt. Basically, it adds another layer of protection because a key is needed to unlock the door on both sides.
Without a double-cylinder deadbolt, your french door could be vulnerable to attacks from one side. But it’s very important to disclose that a double-cylinder deadbolt is potentially dangerous during an emergency. For example, french door security becomes less of a priority in a house fire, and you might not be able to locate your key to unlock both sides.
Safety concerns are why french doors aren’t installed everywhere in your house. In the case of an emergency, you’ll need other exits mapped out for quicker evacuation. Generally, people limit french doors to their back patio and interior entryways that lead into an office or sunroom. This gives your home a healthy dose of french door security without compromising safety!
So now that we’ve discussed the door lock mechanisms that increase french door security, it’s time to talk about the doors themselves. Doors create boundaries. Whether you want better french door security, privacy, or to brighten personal space, you need a french door that’s both functional and protective.
A home locksmith adds substantial value to improving french door security. Anyone can install doors and make them look nice. But only a locksmith truly knows how to fortify your home with the strongest materials and necessary adjustments. They can diagnose french door lock problems and make immediate corrections to bolster french door security.
Other than installing mortise locks or performing mortise lock replacement, locksmiths can make modifications to your french doors, mainly by installing stronger hinges. French doors that open outward are at higher risk for burglary because the hinges are exposed. All it would take is a generic set of tools, and an unwelcoming individual can unscrew your doors.
That’s pretty terrible french door security. A locksmith can fix the situation in a matter of minutes by installing security hinges. If your french doors have weak hinges, the entire area is defenseless against intruders. Every other part of your french door security could be precisely executed. And it wouldn’t matter because the hinges are unprotected.
A locksmith will analyze your french doors and put together a comprehensive strategy focused on increasing french door security as much as possible. There are several ways to replace the door hinges with hardier materials. You have set screw hinges, stud hinges, and hinges with non-removable pins that are all sufficient options.
The artistry of french doors has everything to do with the windows. Opening your home to more natural light creates a sense of peacefulness and comfortability. Unfortunately, it also presents some challenges and possible french door security problems. Breaking windows for forced entry is a common tactic deployed by thieves who are looking for the fastest way to enter your home.
Installing impact-resistant glass will protect your french doors from being easily kicked in. These windows can withstand more force and hold up longer against repeated duress. The properties inside the glass are less prone to breakage and complement french door security nicely. Countless homes have benefited from the simple idea of burglar-proof windows.
French door security has a few flaws that can put your home in danger, but with the proper equipment and resources, protecting yourself and others becomes a lot easier. Locksmiths understand french door lock mechanisms, door installation practices, and the importance of strong windows – all of which contribute to enhancing french door security.
Contacting a locksmith and having them assess your french door security takes minimal effort. A trained professional is qualified to decide which adjustments are right for french door security, and United Locksmith is ready to fulfill that role whenever you are. Together we can make your home a safer place and prepared for anything!
Category: Lock Types, Residential, Safety & Security
