Shed Door Security

Shed door security is worth reviewing, with more and more expensive equipment lurking inside the small buildings that inhabit many people's gardens. This brief guide seeks to review the main point of entry, for owner and burglar alike: the shed door.

People may spend money and time attending to other security aspects. Motion activated lights and alarms, window grills and CCTV systems are all well and good, but a determined and speedy thief may be able to ignore all these and simple force their way in through the door. A thief's main object is to get in and out as quickly as possible, and the door is the most frequent point of entry.

An obviously solid, well-secured door will encourage most would-be thieves to simply move on to the next potential target.

Construction

Some doors will be of a hollow wooden construction that is not particularly secure. The main problem here is that a burglar may simply bash his way in. PVC doors can be equally vulnerable. It makes no sense for the door construction to be the weakest point for security. Make sure that your shed door is solid and hefty enough to withstand a determined burglar's blows.

Good-quality wood constructions is ideal, but also make sure that the wood is kept in good condition and look out for any signs of rot that may become a weak point.

Also, make sure the door frame itself is solid and secure. This can be a weak point in shed door security.

Lastly, check hinges. Basic hinges can be vulnerable in that the central pins can removed, making the door simple to prise open. Security hinges of one type or another should be fitted. Look for cramped, mortised or safety stud hinges. If in doubt, check with a professional.

Locks

The standard Yale lock supplied with many ready-made garden sheds may not be secure enough. Consider fitting a more secure lock, and/or fitting additional padlocks.

Greater security will be provided by deadlocks. These are a good option, providing greater strength and increased shed door security. Single cylinder, double cylinder and single cylinder with removable thumb turn provide various levels of security.

Padlocks are a useful addition, the sturdier the better. Key operated padlocks are better than combination (for various reasons).

Other Measures

If you want to take additional steps to ensure shed door security (perhaps the shed is used as a home office or otherwise contains expensive items), there are still further measures you can take.

A simple battery-operated alarm using door contacts is worth considering. Going further, infrared movement detection systems can be fitted either linked to a home alarm system or separate. CTV is getting cheaper and more functional all the time and represents yet another level.

As you can see, shed door security is an area that often warrants attention and can be addressed in a number of different ways. Make sure that your shed door is not a temptation to thieves and you can be a bit more relaxed about the valuable contents you may have.