Steel security doors offer unmatched protection, durability, and customization options compared to standard doors. This comprehensive guide explains why steel doors are worth the investment for increased safety and security.
Steel doors are constructed with thick, high-quality steel to resist forced entry. They feature multi-point locking systems and heavy-duty hinges to provide the highest level of security for homes and businesses. Customization allows you to tailor doors specifically for your needs and budget.
Read on to learn the benefits of steel security doors and how to choose the right one for your application.
Table of Contents
What Are the Benefits of a Steel Security Door?
Steel security doors provide a wide range of valuable benefits:
- Enhanced Protection: Their sturdy steel construction and multi-point locks resist forced entry significantly better than standard doors.
- Fire Resistance: Many steel security doors carry fire ratings over 30 minutes to slow the spread of flames.
- Customization: Choose from various thicknesses, locking systems, colours, windows, and other options to suit your exact specifications and budget.
- Durability: Properly maintained steel doors last for decades thanks to their rugged steel build and weather-resistant finishes.
- Value: Steel security doors offer outstanding protection per dollar compared to other high-security options.
What Security Features Should I Look For?
The level of security steel doors provide depends heavily on their construction and hardware:
- Steel Thickness: 10 to 12-gauge steel offers optimal strength. 14-gauge can suffice in lower risk areas.
- Locking System: Look for multi-point locks or locking bars engaging at least three sides of the door for maximum security.
- Hinges: Doors should have pinned, welded, or interlocking hinges to prevent removal of the door.
- Frames: Sturdy, welded frames provide greater security than knockdown frames.
- Reinforcements: Commercial steel doors often feature steel channels inside the door face for increased strength.
What Are the Different Levels of Steel Security Doors?
Steel security doors generally fall into one of three grades based on their durability and how difficult they are to breach:
Standard Security Steel Doors
- Budget-friendly option sufficient for low-risk residential applications
- Typically, 0.6mm – 1mm thick steel
- Single or dual point locking hardware
Heavy Duty Security Steel Door
- Ideal for commercial buildings and higher risk residential settings
- 1mm – 1.5mm thick steel construction
- Multi-point locks engaging 3+ sides of the door
Ultra Duty Security Steel Doors
- Deliver extreme security for high-risk environments
- 1.5mm thick ballistic grade steel
- Sophisticated locking mechanisms like industry-leading 19 point system
What Steel Thickness Should I Choose?
The optimal steel thickness depends on your specific needs:
- For homes, 0.6 – 1 mm provides adequate security. Go thicker in higher risk areas.
- Commercial doors typically require 1 – 1.5mm thickness to withstand heavy use and attempted break-ins.
- Extremely high security settings like banks may utilise 1.5mm steel and ballistic glass. The thickest steel ensures maximum intrusion resistance but is overkill for residential.
Consider goals, risk factors, budget, and energy efficiency when selecting steel thickness. Our experts can advise on the best thickness for your building.
What Door Locking Systems Provide the Best Security?
Three aspects determine how secure a door’s locking system is:
- Number of Locking Points: More locking points spread across all sides of the door make it far harder to spread the frame. High security steel doors have multipoint systems engaging the head and jambs of the door, not just the handleset.
- Quality of Locking Hardware: Commercial grade multi-point mortise or concealed vertical rod locks resist cutting, prying, bumping, and drilling significantly better than standard residential handlesets.
- Installation of Locking System: Proper reinforcement of the locks into the steel door and frame impact security. For example, 13mm locking rods help prevent spreading of the frame. Using security head screws prevents intruders from removing locks.
Our highest security steel doors utilise heavy-duty multipoint locking, engaging all 4 sides of the door at 7+ points. This exceeds the PAS24 standard for enhanced strength. Upgrading to 19 point locking further increases the difficulty of breaching.
What Are the Best Hinges for Steel Security Doors?
Hinges are often the most vulnerable point on standard doors, allowing intruders to lift the door right off. Security steel doors require special hinges:
- Welded/Pinned Hinges: Barrel is permanently welded or pinned into the door preventing easy removal. Adds approximately 10 minutes of breach time.
- Interlocking Hinges: Interlocking knuckle design requires the door to fully open before lifting off. Also helps prevent spreading of the frame during attacks.
For extreme security, some manufacturers offer double hinges at the lock edge for added integrity against prying attacks.
How Should You Maintain and Care for a Steel Door?
Taking proper care of steel doors ensures their security and longevity:
- Inspect seals and weatherstripping yearly and replace if needed
- Check locking points function properly and lubricate yearly
- Spot paint any scratches to prevent rust
- Avoid direct, high-pressure spraying, which can damage finishes
- Ensure the door can fully swing open to avoid straining hinges
- Consider installing protective bollards or pillars near doorways susceptible to vehicular impacts
Taking 30 minutes a year to inspect and maintain steel doors saves thousands in premature repairs and replacement costs.
What Factors Impact Costs of Steel Security Doors
Several variables affect pricing of steel security doors:
- Steel Thickness: Thicker, heavier gauge steel costs more
- Size: Larger steel doors come at a premium
- Hardware: More advanced locking systems increase expense
- Design: Intricate carved/embossed door faces are pricier
- Shipping: For remote locations, transport really raises costs
- Labor: Installation difficulty affects labour prices
Budget Options: Basic 14 gauge steel doors with single point locks start under £1000. Opting for thinner steel and more standard hardware slashes costs significantly.
Premium Options: Maximum security requirements, oversized, ornately engraved doors reach £5000+. Upcharges for ballistic steel, anchors, and delayed egress systems quickly add up for high risk applications.
Don’t hesitate to discuss the budget with our steel door experts. We offer very reasonable steel security solutions tailored specifically to your needs and financial realities.
What Lead Times are Typical for Steel Security Doors?
Depending on complexity, steel doors generally ship in 2-8 weeks after ordering. Sourcing specialised ballistic steel and hardware extends lead times further.
Rush Orders – We offer expedited fabrication and finishes for projects requiring quick turnaround under 4 weeks. Rush fees apply.
For the fastest service, check current lead times when ordering or consult our experts to ensure quick delivery based on your timeline needs.
Should Steel Security Doors Open Inward or Outward?
Most steel security doors are hung to open outward to prevent intruders from spreading the frame – but opening direction depends on your specific situation.
Outswing Pros:
- Frame spread resistance
- Easier to barricade from inside
- Provides outdoor shelter in rain
Inswing Pros:
- Doesn’t block outdoor walkways
- Convenient operation when entering
- Harder to barricade
Consider space limitations, fire codes, and facility security plans when deciding which way your doors should open. Let us know if you need help determining the optimal opening direction.
Are Steel Security Doors Energy Efficient?
Basic hollow steel doors rate poorly for thermal efficiency. However, insulated steel doors with polyurethane or polystyrene cores minimise heat transfer very well. Fibreglass insulation inside steel skins helps further reduce energy costs.
Upgrading to double or triple glazed windows, efficient weather seals, threshold saddles, and sweeps also boosts efficiency greatly. These extras come standard on our thermally superior steel doors.
How are Steel Security Doors Secured Into Door Frames?
Adequate security requires firmly anchoring the locking stiles of steel doors into the frames with system specific hardware:
- Expanding Anchors: Utilise wedge or sleeve expansion when tightened to grip frames. Quick installation but only light duty.
- Sleeve Anchors: Grips better than expansion anchors. Requires drilling pilot hole in frame. Medium duty rating.
- Epoxy System: Secures bolts in frame with extremely strong epoxy adhesive. Bonds strongest but slow curing time.
For maximum steel door security, combine high quality multipoint locks, 13mm anchoring rods, and epoxy or sleeve anchors into reinforced frames. Removing doors secured this robustly takes hours of work!
Can I Get a Steel Security Door Custom Made?
Absolutely! Fully bespoke steel doors allow you to customise:
- Exact dimensions including non-standard widths/heights
- Door leaf thickness and steel gauge
- Locking hardware (multipoint, electronic, mechanical, etc)
- Hinges type (standard, interlocking, pinned, double)
- Frame specs and installation method
- Vision panels, louvre inserts, mail slots
- Aesthetics – engraving, colours, finishes, etc
Provide any special requirements, and our expert design team will create tailored steel doors that exceed your expectations.
Still Have Questions About Steel Security Doors?
For additional information about selecting, buying, and installing steel doors, please contact us at Bradbury Group or call our team of security experts at 01724 271 999. We offer free consultations, guiding you on the ideal steel door solutions specific to your risk factors, needs and budget.
Concluding Steel Security Door Checklist
To recap, investing in a properly installed steel security door gives you:
✔ Enhanced intrusion resistance ✔ Fire safety and severe weather protection
✔ Durable lifetime construction
✔ Complete customisation flexibility ✔ Outstanding value over other door options
Follow this checklist when buying your steel door:
- Determine your security needs and establish budget
- Select proper steel thickness to suit goals/risks
- Get heavy-duty commercial grade multi-point locking
- Ensure hinges are welded, pinned or interlocking
- Anchor entire locking edge securely into reinforced frame
- Add vision panels, insulation, and seals/sweeps if desired
- Pick durable finishes that limit maintenance
- Measure carefully or get precise site survey if needed
- Check lead times and order early if deadlines are tight
Investing a bit more upfront in a robust steel door saves exponentially in security risks and replacement costs over the coming decades. Our steel door specialists make selecting the right protection easy. Contact us today to discuss defending your facility with custom security doors.
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