The Hidden Weakness: Why Side and Back Doors Deserve High Security
It’s a common scenario: homeowners invest significantly in a robust, high-security front door, often adorned with multi-point locking systems, strong materials like composite or steel, and perhaps even smart technology. This makes perfect sense; the front door is the public face of the home, a clear statement of security. However, this focus often inadvertently creates a critical vulnerability: the side and back doors.
The Illusion of Security: Front Door Dominance
There’s a prevailing belief that burglars primarily target front doors, perhaps due to their visibility or direct access to the main living areas. This leads to a disproportionate allocation of security budgets. A front door might cost upwards of £1,000 to £3,000 for a high-quality, secure composite option, with additional costs for advanced locking mechanisms. In contrast, side or back doors, often seen as less important or less exposed, might be fitted with standard uPVC doors and simpler, more budget-friendly locking systems. These can be significantly cheaper, sometimes starting from a few hundred pounds.
This disparity in investment creates a clear weak link in a home’s overall security.
The Reality: Burglars Prefer the Path of Least Resistance
While front doors are indeed common points of entry (statistics suggest around 34% of burglaries occur via the front door), the numbers for side and back doors are alarmingly high. Many burglars actively seek out less visible entry points where they can operate with less risk of being seen or heard.
- Back doors are a frequent target, accounting for a significant percentage of break-ins (around 22-33%). Their often secluded location, away from public view, provides ample time and cover for an intruder to attempt forced entry.
- Side doors also present a considerable risk (around 7% of burglaries), similarly benefiting from being out of direct sight of neighbours or passers-by.
Burglars are opportunistic. They will always opt for the easiest and least troublesome entry point. If a front door presents a formidable barrier, but a side or back door has a flimsy lock, a weaker frame, or even an easily compromised glass panel, that’s where a determined intruder will focus their efforts.
Common Vulnerabilities of Under-Secured Side and Back Doors:
- Weaker Locks: Standard cylinder locks on uPVC doors, especially older or cheaper models, can be susceptible to “lock snapping,” a quick and quiet method of bypassing the lock.
- Less Robust Materials: While new uPVC doors can offer good security with anti-snap locks and multi-point systems, older or lower-quality uPVC, or even thin wooden doors, might not withstand forced entry attempts as effectively as a high-security front door.
- Accessible Glass Panels: Side and back doors often feature larger glass panels or adjacent windows. If these are not made of toughened or laminated glass, or if the frames are weak, breaking the glass to gain access to the lock can be relatively easy.
- Hidden Locations: The very nature of side and back doors means they are often less visible to the street, neighbours, or even from inside the house. This seclusion gives burglars more time to work undisturbed.
- Neglected Maintenance: These doors might also be overlooked in terms of regular security checks and maintenance, leading to worn-out locks, loose hinges, or deteriorating frames.
Bridging the Security Gap: A Holistic Approach
To truly secure a home, a holistic approach to door security is essential. Investing in a high-security front door is a great start, but it’s crucial to extend that level of protection to all external entry points.
- Upgrade Locks: Ensure all external doors, including side and back doors, are fitted with high-quality, British Standard approved locks, such as anti-snap cylinders for uPVC doors and multi-point locking systems where possible.
- Reinforce Frames: Strengthen door frames with steel reinforcement plates, especially around the lock and hinge areas, to resist forced entry.
- Consider Door Material: If replacing side or back doors, consider composite or steel options for enhanced strength and security, similar to what you might choose for a front door.
- Secure Glass: If doors have glass panels, ensure they are made from laminated or toughened glass, or consider applying security film to deter smashing.
- Visibility and Lighting: Install motion-sensor lighting around side and back doors to deter intruders and alert occupants or neighbours to suspicious activity. Trim shrubbery or remove other hiding spots.
- Alarms and Sensors: Integrate all external doors into a comprehensive home alarm system with door sensors to provide immediate alerts in case of a breach.
Ultimately, the money saved by “budgeting” on side and back door security can be a costly gamble. A burglar will exploit the weakest link. By extending high-security measures to all entry points, homeowners can significantly enhance their overall protection and achieve genuine peace of mind.