Doors designed with security in mind

Patrick Dean, sales director at Solidor, outlines how Solidor can help installers to reassure homeowners about the security performance of their exterior doors.

According to Crime Stoppers UK, it’s estimated that there is a burglary every 40 seconds in the UK. And with each residential burglary costing an average of £3,030, it’s clear to see why home security is among the top priority of homeowners.

A Solidor door is made from a 44mm timber core with 2mm ABS skins and a reinforced door frame to provide a strong and secure option for homeowners.

The skins are made from the same durable plastic as Lego and the entire skin is made from a solid colour, meaning that any scratches or knocks are more discreet. With a hidden edge banding too, there are no gaps in colour, proving a well-rounded and complete colour finish.

Solidor composite doors are manufactured to the highest standards: BSI Kite Mark accreditation BSI ISO 9001 for quality management and BSI EN 1279 for insulating glass units.

We are also PAS24:2016 certified, hold CE Marking and Secured by Design licences, and are members of the Glass and Glazing Federation and Association of Composite Door Manufacturers.

Did you know that 85% of break-ins occur through lock snapping? That’s why both Solidor cylinder options – Ultion and Avocet ABS – come with anti-lock snapping features.

The Ultion cylinder has the hidden attack lock which means it can detect an attack and automatically activate lockdown mode. The ABS master lock features patent protected, snap secure technology. It recognises when an attack is taking place and the break secure technology creates a barrier to access.

This maintains the lock’s integrity so it can still be operated from the inside. Both Ultion and Avocet offer a separate £2,000 guarantee which covers break-ins where intruders have gained entry by snapping their brand of cylinder lock.

Solidor composites are fitted with an Avantis Secured by Design locking system as standard but homeowners can select which lock they would like to use. The options available to them are: the Avantis multi-point lock; the standard slam shut auto lock; the heritage slam shut lock; the key operated multi lock; or the AV3 slam shut lock.

Performance and design

The range of lock options and positions available means that homeowners can have the door design they want without having to choose between style or security.

For homeowners that have a clear idea of the design they’d like, there are two options to highlight. If they’d like a more traditional style of door, the heritage slam shut lock offers the aesthetics of a rim latch but incorporates the latest high security slam shut technology so the lock automatically engages as the door closes. Customers who want a more modern door design with a pull handle, rather than an external lever handle, can upgrade to a key operated multi-point lock.

As well as the door design, customers can also have complete control of the hardware finishes by choosing handles from Solidor’s own Sweet hardware range. The sleek and stylish registered curved design of the sweet handle – available in chrome, satin, gold, white, and black – means it not only looks good but makes it more difficult for an intruder to snap and gain access to their home. Some lever handles can be removed by experienced burglars in under a second, but the Sweet hardware handle will still protect the cylinder after two minutes of attack.

Solidor only supplies the 2-star lever handle – the highest possible Kitemark accreditation – with the 3-star encased Ultion cylinder, making the Sweet Hardware handle a 5-star rated combination, the most secure rating on the market.

All products in the Sweet Hardware range come with a 20-year anti-corrosion guarantee for added peace of mind.