What is the first thing you look for when purchasing a new or replacement front door for your home? Would aesthetics and design drive your purchasing decision, or would you consider compliance with security standards and how the locking system is operated?
In this article leading locking solution manufacturer Winkhaus UK highlights the importance of security for residential doors, the types of multi-point locking solutions, and considerations for how doors can be operated when choosing your next door.
Security requirements for residential front doors
Building standards require security accreditation for doors and windows in residential new build, with the standard currently under review prior to this requirement widening to include replacement doors and windows. Accreditation schemes such as the Secured by Design (SBD), the official police security initiative, require test evidence for doors and windows to qualify for PAS24 (Product Assessment Specification), a standard that assesses the security performance to withstand an attack from an opportunist burglar. This standard is regularly updated to reflect changes in attack methodology, with testing carried out on a full doorset in UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited test facilities.
SBD research highlights the reduction in residential burglary rates for products that achieve this standard, with reductions of up to 61% seen for solutions that meet the silver standard and up to 87% for those that reach the gold standard.
Importance of locking your door
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes annual statistics for domestic burglary, with this year’s report, the first since pre-covid statistics in 2019. The Nature of Crime report for burglary shows that doors account for 80% of the recorded incidents where the method of entry was known, with 62% occurring through doors at the front of the property. Of these, 6% are due to the door not being locked, and 5% where entry was made past the person who opened the door. Can your choice of locking solution further improve your security?
Modern security locking solutions
Today’s modern locking solution is a multi-point lock, one that when operated engages hooks or bolts at the top and bottom of the door. Multi-point locks can be operated either manually via a key or handle or can operate automatically when the door is closed (autoLocks). autoLocks are designed to be opened by a key or thumbturn, ensuring that when the door is closed, it is locked and can only be opened by a user with a key or via access control.
Autolocking is convenient as it ensures doors are locked immediately when closed, without additional activity from the end user. Further security enhancements can also be added to modern locking solutions, such as restrictors that limit opening of a door (a modern and stronger version of a chain).
Latest innovation in autoLocking
Winkhaus UK introduced the first hooked autoLock in 2006 and has continued to innovate since, launching the innovative new autoLock AV4 range in 2023. The range is SBD approved, tested to the latest PAS24:2022 standards, and cycle tested to the equivalent of over 20 years operation. Already the locking solution of choice for many leading door manufacturers, the AV4 range has been designed to not just surpass security standards but has been designed to require the lowest force to operate of any autoLock.
In testing the AV4 required 40% lower force to operate than the market leading AV2 and up to 70% lower than competitor’s products. Force required to operate becomes important through the life of a doorset, as materials naturally expand and contract (thermal expansion), affecting the alignment of the door and frame, and increasing the required force to operate the locking system. In independent testing with a wide range of homeowners who have all struggled with thermal expansion and ability to open doors previously, AV4 was chosen as their locking solution of choice. This means that the AV4 range is not just secure but will continue to function through the life of the doorset, providing continued peace of mind for homeowners.
Checklist for your next door
Ensure your new door has been tested at an UKAS accredited test facility and meets the requirements of PAS24. Consider an autoLock to ensure your door is always secured, stopping an opportunist burglar from entering your property. Consider the life of the doorset and your future user requirements and choose a solution that you and your family can comfortably and reliably operate over its life in your home.
Why Winkhaus?
Winkhaus UK is part of Winkhaus Group, a leading manufacturer of door locking solutions, window fitting systems and access control solutions. For over 170 years we have been designing innovative security solutions for residential and commercial applications. All our products are designed and engineered in our state-of-the-art production facilities in Germany.
To learn more about AV4 and the benefits an autoLock could provide for your home, please visit www.winkhaus.co.uk or email enquires@winkhaus.co.uk
