When it comes to defending your home from intruders, your doors are one of your biggest defences. Which is why choosing the material your doors are made from is such an important step. One of the most popular materials for doors in the UK is uPVC (which stands for Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride), often chosen for their durability, energy efficiency and how easy they are to maintain. But that begs the question – are they secure? We’re here to evaluate and let you know.

Construction and Material Strength

All uPVC doors are made using a rigid plastic-based material, which is one the things that gives it that durability they’re known for. The frames are then reinforced with galvanised steel, which makes them highly resistant to any attempt at forced entry. They don’t splinter or crack easily (unlike wooden doors), and they can withstand even the hardest attempt at a break-in, so they get an A+ in this area!

Multi-Point Locking Systems

One of the most important security points on every door is its locks. uPVC doors come with a standard multi-point locking system, which is one of the more secure locking systems you can get. These systems work by engaging multiple locking points along the door frame, typically at three or five points. This distributes the force of any attempted break-in across the points, making it much harder for the intruder to bypass the lock. While other types of doors can have multi-point locking systems installed, uPVC doors come with them as standard.

Anti-Snap Cylinder Locks

Of course, uPVC doors can be fitted with extra security measures too, like anti-snap cylinder locks. These offer enhanced protection against lock snapping, which is a common technique used by burglars to gain entry. Anti-snap cylinders are designed with ‘sacrificial’ sections that will break away if excessive force is applied. This renders the lock ineffective, and blocks any further attempts at breaking in. This is an incredibly important element that ensures an intruder can’t get into the property, even if they try to snap the lock.

Security Glass

Another extra that uPVC doors can be fitted with is security glass. This is usually either laminated glass or toughened glass to add an extra layer of safety and security from break-ins. Laminated glass is made of multiple layers of glass with a polymer interlayer, making it resistant to shattering. Toughened glass on the other hand is chemically treated to increase its strength and durability. Both of these options give you an extra barrier against break-ins, so that even if the glass is compromised, it won’t give way.

Internal Beading

Most uPVC doors will come with something called internal beading. This is where the glass is fitted from the inside, rather than the outside. This simple change prevents it from being removed externally by someone trying to gain entry. It’s a design choice that prevents potential intruders from removing the glazing in your door and reaching in to turn the handle. This feature isn’t available on most other types of door, giving it the edge security-wise over wood, for example.

At My Locks Locksmith, we spend a lot of our time working with uPVC doors. Whether that’s replacing keeps, switching out locks or installing them from scratch. We know uPVC inside out, and we would be happy to help you understand it too. If you’d like to know more about uPVC doors, want to switch your doors to uPVC or have a problem with your doors, we would love to help. Just get in touch with the team today, and one of our experts will be right with you.