How Secure Are Bifold Doors?

Whether you’re buying a premium front door or refurbishing a room with garden access, door security should never be overlooked, including for bifold doors.

Folding doors flood a room with light and invite the outside in. But are bifold doors secure against persistent intruders? Will your new set of folding doors leave your home vulnerable?

To help answer these questions and reassure you, here’s everything you need to know about bifold door security, and what to consider when looking at locks for folding doors. For more advice on choosing new doors, explore our complete bifolds buying guide.

Are Bifold Doors Secure?

The short answer is yes, especially if you purchase from reputable door companies like Prime Aluminium. Security has always been a major focus for our products, and each one comes with a Secured by Design accreditation based on police regulations.

Statistics show that products with a Secured by Design accreditation are up to 75% less likely to be burgled, making it a reliable indicator of security.

On a deeper level, most folding doors can be considered secure if they’re installed with the right locks, locking mechanisms, glazing, and any additional home security systems you choose to invest in.

What Is a Secured by Design Accreditation?

Secured by Design accreditation is a police initiative promoting crime prevention through enhanced physical security. It focuses on the design of homes and buildings, as well as on security products and projects.

The principles of the scheme have proven effective in reducing crime risk, with people reportedly feeling much safer at home. Prime Aluminium offers several products with Secured by Design (SBD) accreditation, including our bifolding doors, aluminium windows, and entire range of front doors.

Under this scheme, each product undergoes extensive police testing, where every component is listed and inspected. A team then attempts a break-in through the doors. If the product offers sufficient resistance, it passes the test.

Consequently, all Prime Aluminium doors are regularly audited to ensure test specifications remain consistent for every product and that our older ranges maintain high standards.

What Should I Look For in Bifold Door Locks?

A secure bifold door operates using a multi-point locking mechanism. These locks secure several bolts into gears along the door frame, preventing them from being opened once activated.

For an intruder to open your doors, they would need to remove these gears, which isn’t possible without making an enormous racket or entering your home elsewhere.

Here are three recommended types of locks for bifold doors:

Twin-Point Locks: A common locking system built around a handle in the centre of the door. Turning the handle engages the locking system, securing the top and bottom of the door panel.

Drop-Bolts: Fixed to the interior top and bottom of your doors, these bolts can be activated manually, providing additional protection on top of the standard locking mechanism. They are effective when used alongside the door’s standard locks.

Deadbolts: These work in the same way as deadbolts on your front door, providing a standardised and reliable locking system for bifold doors.

Additionally, all bifold doors should feature an in-line tracking system that houses the locking gears securely, preventing access without removing its secure cover.

How Secure Is Bifold Door Glazing?

The glazing on any set of doors needs to be top-notch to deter intruders. Good-quality bifold door glazing should use both double-glazing and toughened glass.

Toughened Glass: Security-approved and incredibly difficult to dislodge or break, offering superior protection against intruders.

Double-Glazing: Adds the benefit of preventing accidents and retaining indoor heat, helping to reduce energy bills.

At Prime Aluminium, all our aluminium frame windows and doors come with double-glazed, toughened glass as standard, ensuring secure glazing for any product you choose.

What Else Should You Look For?

In addition to a high-quality locking system and glazing, consider other security features to enhance bifold door security. Here are a few tips:

• Alarm Systems: Installing an alarm system can greatly improve security.
• Placement: Position your bifold doors out of sight from the front of the house to reduce visibility to potential intruders.

At Prime Aluminium, we also recommend choosing bifold doors with aluminium frames. Aluminium is lightweight, durable, and offers excellent security—qualities that all our products boast.

Misconceptions About Bifold Door Security

By now, it should be clear how secure bifolding doors are. This raises the question of why many perceive them as a security risk.

There’s no definitive explanation for this myth. It’s suggested that it stems from conservatories being easier to access due to security defects. This insecurity has been mistakenly applied to similar home features designed to open your home to your garden.

Security is crucial for any home. With a set of folding doors from Prime Aluminium, you can enjoy stunning outdoor views while staying safe and secure all year round.

Contact our team of experts today to discuss our installation process. Don’t forget to browse our blog for more informative articles like this one.