What Is a Security Door? Bring Added Safety and Style to Your Home
The pros and cons of security doors will help you measure peace of mind versus cost
A security door adds a level of protection to your home from both intruders and bad weather.
The cost to install a security door is higher than a standard exterior door, and you will have to hire a professional.
You can often customize your security door with a combination of deadbolts, specialized keys, and high-tech safety features.
Your home is where you should feel the safest—but you shouldn’t have to sacrifice style for added protection. Security doors are the best of both worlds: enhanced security that often looks like a regular front door—only stronger. Learn the pros and cons of security doors before deciding what’s right for your home.
What Is a Security Door?
Installed in front of the main entry door of a structure, a security door is made from heavy-duty materials like metal. Some doors include glass panels that allow light to enter the home. Security doors give homeowners additional safety and peace of mind that intruders will not invade their homes. Insurance companies may offer discounts for homes equipped with a security door, offsetting some of the installation costs.
Types of Security Doors
Don't assume that a security door means an aesthetic compromise. Security doors come in styles that are both effective and attractive for all parts of your home. The most common type of security door is the openwork steel door. This style combines wrought iron with tempered glass. Many have floral, filigree, and Spanish-style design accents.
However, you can also find "hidden" security doors that look just like wood and fiberglass from the outside. This "mainstream" look conceals the fact that the design's interior contains steel and reinforced sides.
Single Security Doors
The most common option, a single security door, is essentially a "front door." However, it can be used for back doors, kitchen exits, garage exits, basement exits, and much more.
Double Security Doors
You can still have a security door even if you're replacing a double door that goes out to a patio or deck. Many people feel vulnerable when having all-glass doors leading in from the back of the home. After all, this is the area of the home where intruders can break in without street visibility.
While double security doors are similar to single security doors, the big difference is that you're getting double the door. Most designs allow you to open just one-half of the door if you prefer.
Pros of Security Doors
Is making a decision about a regular exterior door versus a security door on your list of home security projects to tackle this weekend? It's analysis time!
Pro: Your Home Is Safer Against Intruders
A security door adds a line of defense that makes it harder for intruders to breach your home.
Pro: Just the Sight of a Security Door Can Be a Deterrent
Burglars are looking for the house on the block that's the easiest one to break into. When they see a security door, it's an instant deterrent because the time and effort needed to breach the door will increase their chances of being caught. Burglars are also likely to assume that a homeowner who is savvy enough to install a security door probably has other security measures in place.
Pro: You Can Build a Very High-Tech Entry
If you have valuables in your home you don't want falling into the wrong hands, a security door can be outfitted with deadbolts, hidden hinge screws, duplication-proof keys, fingerprint keys, and a peephole to create a tight security situation.
Pro: Protection Against Bad Weather
Security doors don't just provide security against other people. They can also keep you safer in a storm. A security door can withstand strong winds and flying debris better than a standard door.
In that case, you may want to install a security screen door instead. Security screen doors offer a good level of protection against intruders while still allowing air and light to flow freely through your home.
Pro: Peace of Mind
In a perfect world, your security door will never need to stand the test. However, the peace of mind that your door will give you each night when you lock up is truly worth its weight in gold.
Cons of Security Doors
We’ve been through the positives, but let’s explore what’s on the other side of the door.
Con: Installing a Security Door Isn't a DIY Task
A security door that's installed improperly can become faulty. It's important to bring in a local installation pro who has experience with security doors if you want your door to perform under pressure.
Con: Price
As you might expect, security doors are generally more expensive than traditional doors. This is a situation where you have to make the call on what you'll pay for peace of mind. If you're looking for a way to make your home safer without installing a heavy-duty security door, a security screen door is another option.
Con: Possible Corrosion Issues
If you choose a steel security door, there's a possibility you'll see rust and corrosion as the years go on. In addition to being unattractive, this wear and tear can actually weaken the door's protection.
Con: Stuffiness
Security doors don't provide the insulation of some other door styles. As a result, they can make your home stuffier in hot climates. This is why security doors are not ideal for areas that require good ventilation.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Security Door?
Security doors aren’t much more expensive than traditional exterior doors. While door installation costs around the country are $1,050 on average for regular exterior doors, those opting for security doors are paying $1,400 on average. However, the price range for having a security door installed ranges from $600 to $4,600, based on door style, door location, and your chosen security enhancements. There may be added labor costs for security doors, depending on the exact material you choose. For example, a wrought iron door may require higher labor costs versus installing a fiberglass door, or there may be added costs if you have to adjust your door framing.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Installing a security door can be a DIY-friendly job, provided you have plenty of experience with doors. However, there are some significant downsides to doing the job yourself. These doors are heavy, and incorrect installations can place undue strain on the structure of your home. Additionally, if you install a security door wrong, it will likely be easier to get through rather than more difficult. If you are unsure whether or not you can handle the job, contact a local door installer for a consultation.
Depending on your needs and wants, investing in a security door can be well worth the cost. Now that you know the pros and cons, you can decide if it’s a purchase that makes sense for your family. If you’re ready to have one installed in your home, look into security door installers in your area.
Screen doors tend to feature aluminum frames and mesh screens that allow homeowners to let a breeze in while keeping the home secure from pests. A security door is a heavy-duty structure designed to keep intruders from accessing the home.
Each has its use, depending on the scenario. Security doors are primarily intended to keep people out of the home, while storm doors are used to protect the home from extreme weather. Both tend to be made from heavy-duty metal and may include glass panels to allow light to enter the home. Storm doors can feature mesh screens, just like screen doors, to allow for increased ventilation and to keep out pests. Security doors rarely, if ever, have mesh screens.
These are heavy-duty metal doors, so they need to swing out for maximum effectiveness. Otherwise, the door could scrape your home's inside and be easier to break into. Outward-swinging security doors are extremely heavy and solid, making them difficult to get through.
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