Right now, there is a lot of conversation about entrance doors. A quick walk through a home improvement show or online search will show aluminium entrance doors as being the premium option. But marketing aside, why are they secure. Because that’s usually the first question people ask.

Most people only buy a front door once every twenty years or so. Maybe even longer. This means that when you make the decision to get a new door, you should make sure that you will be happy with it for a considerable amount of time. And security matters. It matters a lot.

## What Makes Aluminium Different

The material itself is strong. Much stronger than uPVC, and in many cases it rivals steel whilst weighing much less. This is not just marketing speak, it is simply the properties of the metal. What this means in practice is that you can have doors with slim frames. (The narrow sight lines that everyone seems to want now).

Modern entrance doors, including aluminium variants, typically come equipped with multi point locking systems. However, here’s the catch: varied locking positions need something substantial to lock into. When you lift the handle and turn the key, you are securing the door at five to seven points along its vertical height. With aluminium doors, those bolts shoot into frames that bend lock into flexing.

## Strength

When force is applied to doors of varying materials, the way the door responds to the pressure is different. Timber splits. uPVC cracks when hit with enough force in the right location. Stress against aluminium products is slightly better held.

This does not imply aluminium products are not breakable. Nothing is impenetrable. However, this is what is most sought after in door security.

Additionally, the frames do not warp over time. This is something a lot of people do not realise. A door that has shifted in its frame creates gaps. Small gaps, maybe, but gaps nonetheless and those gaps are vulnerabilities. Aluminium products stay put. Year after year, the tolerances remain tight.

## The Glass Query

People nowadays like to have glass in the entrance door for the natural light. If you’re choosing aluminium doors, you’ll have to go with double glazing, triple glazing, or some combination of laminated or toughened glass. Some glass manufacturers are more picky about the glass they use to comply with certain security standards (look up BS EN 356 for more info). More glass = better. With aluminium frames being more slender, you get more glass without compromising security. The glazing is secured into the frame with modern technology that makes it almost impossible to be removed from the exterior (you’d have to break it or damaging the glazing to get to the glass which is not a target worth going for). 

## Locks and Hardware

Your door is only as secure as the lock it has. Sounds obvious, but it is the truth. 

Most decent aluminium entrance doors nowadays have, as standard, anti-snap, anti bump, and anti drill cylinders. Or they should have these. These have evolved a lot recently in accordance with the methods that burglars actually use which have, unfortunately, evolved. The handles and hardware are through-bolted, not just screwed into the surface. This makes it more difficult for the handles to be twisted off. It is a small detail, but the sum of the small details are what add up.

## Day-to-Day Practicality

There are many practical advantages to aluminium doors beyond the technical details. They do not require repainting. With timber doors, the paint can chip and the door will not close properly, but with aluminium doors, powder-coated finishes can withstand the elements and will not need to be replaced. 

Aluminium doors are also nice and heavy, which makes them feel more substantial. This is a nice psychological feature and allows the doors to not feel cheap and flimsy. A door that is difficult to shut will often be left open, so than can lead to a lack of privacy and hider the security of your home. 

## Worth Your Consideration

While security is a very important feature to have with your main entry point of the house, you must also consider the aesthetics of the door and what will fit in your budget. With this in mind, aluminium doors do have many advantages when it comes to security. They are not a new technology, they have been tried and tested. 

They have a pretty good track record when it comes to keeping houses secure, and this is something to weigh when you are making your decision.