Shed Security Bars

An Insecure Room

A shed security bar is a simple yet effective deterrent to the would-be thief. Most people are acutely aware of home security, and always ensure that their front door is well-secured.

However, the garden shed can be a bit of blind spot. Think about what you keep in your shed. Maybe you use it as storage? You might have a hobby that you practice, and keep your gear in the shed. Some people even use their shed as a type of home office, with computer, printer etc.

But thieves know that the shed is not often occupied, is perhaps a little flimsy and poorly secured. The lock might be easily picked and the shed hidden at the end of a dark garden. This is what attracts so much unwanted attention.

Even if there is not much of value, to have your property broken into is a very unpleasant experience. Furthermore, some burglars will break into a garden shed before the main house, in the hope of finding tools and a ladder that can assist them in breaking into the home afterwards.

All this goes to say that shed security is important. So what can you do? A simple, easy fist step is to fit a good shed security bar.

The Security Bar

A shed security bar is simply a thick metal bar which is fitted horizontally across the width of the door, at about the mid point from top to bottom. It can be fitted in two ways:

• Padlocked at both ends, pivoting in the middle to enter.
• Padlocked at one end only, hinged at the other end to allow entry.

Of the two, the first is the more secure. The hinge of the first can be a vulnerable point and the second has the advantage of two padlocks. Of course, the bar will only be as good as the padlock fitted. Make sure you use a high-quality, sturdy padlock. Combination padlocks are not generally seen as secure as the lock and key type.

One great advantage of the shed security bar is the highly visible barrier it represents to the burglar. A thief would have to be quite dedicated to go on to try to remove a bar by whatever means, rather than simply move on. Apart from anything else, it would likely be quite a time-consuming process, and time is one thing a burglar cannot afford.

Choosing a Bar

As mentioned above, double padlock bars are better than single, generally speaking. Bar thicknesses range between about 900 and 1800mm, the thicker the better. Prices range between about £30 and £100, including padlock(s). Go for the best you can reasonably justify and afford. Check particularly the quality of the padlocks.

Why you should choose a bar

Given time and determination, virtually any garden shed is going to be vulnerable to a burglar. There are just too many weaknesses. However, simple steps will put off at least 90% of would-be thieves. Perhaps one of the best is the shed security bar: simple, sturdy, a visible deterrent and not overly expensive.