Did you know that 70% of UK homeowners say that security is the highest priority for them when selecting new doors and windows?
My name is Steve. My focus is to provide information and sales support to homeowners who are delving into the wonderful world of solid core composite doors.
After speaking to many Solidor users and industry experts alike, I have come across some interesting questions about security. The industry uses a lot of terminology and jargon that simply doesn’t mean a lot to most people so I will attempt to shed some light on three of the key areas:
PAS24
Multipoint locks
Lock cylinders
PAS24
PAS 24 is a specific accreditation for enhanced security and is a requirement for composite doors in order to meet building regulations. Most doors do comply with the old version (PAS 24: 2012) which is all fine and well?? Not quite. What is really important to know is that 7/10 composite doors on the market do not achieve the new and current PAS 24: 2016 enhanced security criteria. Building regulators are asking for the new version of PAS 24 to be adhered to right now!
What does this mean in terms of security? It means that there is a more demanding and rigorous “cut through” test performed on the door.
It is too easy to make large holes in many of the composite doors on the market, hence the improved test. The new test highlights a huge security risk which I think that homeowners need to be aware of. To make this point more effectively, Solidor filmed some demonstrations to show how some of the most popular foam filled composite doors handle cut through attacks and the results are rather shocking. Take a look here: https://www.solidor.co.uk/solidor-tv/
You will see that the 48mm Solid laminated timber core of the Solidor has no problem handling the cut through tests, holding its own quite comfortably by comparison, flying through PAS24: 2016 with no problems.
Multipoint Locks
The Multi point lock does exactly what it says on the tin. It hooks top and bottom and deadbolts into the centre of frame along the door’s edge. This approach to locking provides excellent performance with unsurpassable security in contrast to other common domestic lock types and can be operated a number of ways. Think about 3/5 lever mortice locks or single night latch systems, they don’t come close. Under force, the “keep” breaks away from the frame, or the bolt cracks the old timber frame and you have a potential break-in on your hands. Multipoint locks take the pressure differently and disperse the load to avoid this type of critical damage which is why they are widely used.
Going the extra mile, Solidor have an exclusive lock (the Avantis) which has the industry’s largest dead bolt. This is supplied as standard for the best possible protection and to ensure that brute force attacks are ineffective.
You can see it in action on the website https://www.solidor.co.uk/solidor-tv
Lock cylinders
The lock cylinder is the barrel that sits in your multi point lock. In simple terms, it’s the bit you put your key into to secure your door handle or engage your multipoint lock and is often overlooked.
The lock cylinder is a common attack point for would-be intruders. Snapping or bumping a cylinder can provide full access to the cam in your multi point lock and subsequently, is a surprisingly quick way to break into a property! But do not fear, there is a simple solution – The Ultion cylinder from Brisant-Secure Ltd.
Ultion is a 3 star, diamond rated cylinder that achieves the highest possible accreditations for any euro (multipoint lock) cylinder on the market and comes with a unique £1000 break-in guarantee!
There is a fantastic demonstration on the Solidor website which shows attack tests against the clock on a standard kite marked cylinder, and then the same timed attacks on the Ultion high security cylinder. The difference is remarkable. The Ultion is relentless where the “standard” cylinder fails in a matter of seconds.
The bottom line is, if it’s an Ultion, you’re not getting in without the key which is why I love it. See the test for yourself here: https://www.solidor.co.uk/solidor-tv
To sum up on security, my advice would be to stay ahead of the curve and make sure you are getting a legal door that is CE marked and PAS24-2016 certified. This ensures the appropriate level of security that we all deserve and should now come to expect right out of the box.
I look at this way – A door can be made out of 70mm thick titanium but if you choose a cheap, run of the mill lock cylinder (found on a lot of composite doors) or multipoint lock, the door would be just as secure being made from cardboard (and not even the thick stuff!).
Don’t compromise on the lock cylinder and engage your multi point lock at all times. Choose a Solidor with Ultion cylinder as standard and stay safe!
