Exterior Doors With Glass Panels – A Security Risk.

by Martin Underwood

If your home has an exterior door fitted with glass panels, or there are glass panels next to an exterior door, you have a home security risk.

Glass panels in exterior doors allow daylight into what may otherwise be a dark and gloomy hallway but in terms of security these doors are not such a good choice.

It would be very easy for an intruder to smash the glass in such a door, then reach inside and open the latch lock. A deadbolt lock that requires opening with a key from the inside as well as from the outside, known as a double cylinder deadbolt, would prevent a burglar from opening the door.

The danger with a double cylinder deadbolt is that your family may be prevented from making a quick escape in a fire, or other emergency, if the key is not immediately accessible. For this reason some local building codes do not permit the use of double cylinder locks on external doors.

If a double cylinder lock is used while your home is occupied, the key should be kept near the lock. Make certain that all members of your family know how to use the lock and where the key is kept, and are able to reach it easily. When there is nobody at home, the key should be kept somewhere right out of the reach of an intruder who has broken the glass.

If it is not important for you to have windows in the door, you should consider replacing the door with an external quality door without glass panes. If the light from the door does make a difference to your home, there are ways to improve the security of the door.

Replacing ordinary window glass with security laminated glass would make it very difficult for the burglar to break through. Laminated glass is two, or more, layers of glass bonded together with a clear flexible resin, it holds together even when shattered. A burglar would have to strike the glass with a hammer very many times before he had a hope of making a hole large enough to reach into. He simply would not want to risk spending that much time and making that much noise.

Window security film is a good alternative to laminated glass, it is a clear, flexible, impact resistant polyester sheeting that can be fixed to the inside of the glass panes. Like laminated glass a burglar would have a very tough time trying to break through it.

The film is usually sold by the foot and is available in several widths and thickness. Some types of window security film filter solar heat as well as protect against intruders smashing the glass.

If you are a reasonably proficient do-it-yourselfer you should be able to fit the film yourself. Care must be taken with measurements and it is important that the correct adhesive is used. If you allow a professional to install your security film you will likely get a longer guarantee against peeling and yellowing.

No matter which method you choose to eliminate the security problem of an external door with glass panels, you have to take action. Don't ignore the risk, fix the problem.

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