In this blog entry, the Albuquerque residential lock installation and residential security experts here 505 Locksmith will detail the important things to know about physical security for French Doors.
Proper French Door Installation and Alignment
First off, it’s essential that your french doors are properly installed with the right alignment and adjustment into the door frame.t he french door should closely fit into the frame, and not be too large to fit in. If your french door is sticking because it’s too large for the doorframe, it can cause a range of additional issues including sticking, loudness, mechanism stress, and an inability to properly latch and lock. It’s essential that very close measurements are taken and adhered to when installing french doors including vertical, horizontal, and diagonal measurements.
High Security Locks
French doors need to be outfitted with a high quality high security lock in order to protect your property from break-in attempts of both tampering and strong force attacks. The best high security locks for french doors are deadbolt mortise locks and multipoint locks. Mortise locks are highly durable, and fit directly into the door which holds it in a mortise pocket where it is bolstered by a large deadbolt. Multipoint locking systems are even more secure, as they utilize multiple deadbolts at different parts of the door. Usually they have three deadbolts at the top, middle, and lower part of the door. You might even try a double cylinder deadbolt system which protects against the risk of thieves breaking through french door glass panels to unlock the door by accessing the interior thumbturn. This type of lock doesn’t work with thumb turns,and is locked from both sides – but we don’t recommend this option as they are not safe in the event of a necessary evacuation.
Glass Reinforcement
Make sure that the glass in your french door – which allows sunlight into your interiors – is reinforced. Use laminated glass panes which are far less fragile and consist of a sheet of clear plastic film mounted between two glass pieces. Laminated glass is durable and can withstand many forced entry attempts. Even when glass is shattered the plastic keeps the shards firmly in place. Non laminated glass can also be reinforced with security films on both sides of the door (consisting of a thin but strong vinyl sheet) which, like laminated glass, keeps broken glass in place in the event it is shattered.
Security Bars
Mount security bars on the interior side of the door.security bars are usually made of metal and are placed across door handles to jam the door. This can secure doors in place and protect against physical force break ins. They can also be integrated with alarms and motion sensors for an added degree of security.
Hinge Condition
If your french doors open outward, they are likely less secure than french doors that open inwards. Outward French doors have exposed hinges that can be easily taken advantage of by burglars who attempt to unscrew doors that have weak screws or worn out hinges. Make sure that your hinges are in ideal operational order, with no corrosion, and are made of sturdy and strong material. Ensure that all screws that are attached to your hinges are at LEAST three inches long, and are snugly in place, and are not loose.