Updated June 2026 · CW Doors & Windows
How to improve door security at home — cheap and expensive fixes
You don't need a new front door to dramatically improve security. Here are 8 upgrades ranked by impact-per-pound, starting with the £40 fix that prevents the most common UK break-in.
Cheap upgrades that make a big difference
£40 — Replace 1-star cylinder with 3-star TS007 anti-snap. Prevents cylinder snapping, the most common UK break-in method.
£60 — Fit hinge bolts on outward-opening doors. Defeats hinge-side attack.
£20 — Add a London bar reinforcement on uPVC doors.
£15 — Replace toughened side panel with laminated. Stops reach-through entry.
Medium-cost upgrades
£150–£300 — Replace failed sealed unit in glazed door panel with laminated inner pane.
£200 — Upgrade multi-point lock mechanism to Secured by Design hook-and-bolt.
£100 — Door chain plus letterbox cowl to prevent fishing/key-snatching attacks.
The full upgrade
£1,099+ — Replacement composite door with the full security spec (3-star cylinder, hook-and-bolt lock, hinge bolts, laminated glass). The most secure option, and worth it on a front door over 15 years old.
When a new door is the better fix
A new lock cylinder helps, but if the frame is loose, the door drops or the hinges are worn, the lock can only do so much. That is when a new door makes more sense than another repair.
Our composite doors are PAS 24 tested as standard and start from £1,099 fitted. uPVC doors start from £799, with security upgrades available. Our own fitters install every door, and each job carries a 10-year insurance-backed guarantee.
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