SWMBO wants to change our perfectly good (50mm) hardwood front door
for a nasty plastic one...
What is considered more secure, a decent wooden front
door and frame or a uPVC one?

I can see that the locking mechanism on the plastic door may be
superior, but most of the frames I've seen look like they would cave in
really easily to a good kick...

I have found a place that will make the door and frame with steel
reinforcement and a steel sheet reinforced lower panel, at a rather
surprisingly larger cost than the "standard" fare from the DG companies,
hence my question.

Oh, and whether it would be worth going for the steel reinforced plastic
door, if I can't persuade SWMBO into keeping the nice wooden one :-)

Lee


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Lee Blaver wrote:

SWMBO wants to change our perfectly good (50mm) hardwood front door
for a nasty plastic one...
What is considered more secure, a decent wooden front
door and frame or a uPVC one?

I can see that the locking mechanism on the plastic door may be
superior, but most of the frames I've seen look like they would cave in
really easily to a good kick...

I have found a place that will make the door and frame with steel
reinforcement and a steel sheet reinforced lower panel, at a rather
surprisingly larger cost than the "standard" fare from the DG companies,
hence my question.

Oh, and whether it would be worth going for the steel reinforced plastic
door, if I can't persuade SWMBO into keeping the nice wooden one :-)

Lee

--
To reply use lee.blaver and NTL world com

One observation on UPVC doors is that in my experience I have not seen one
that will automatically shut in the locked state.
Thisis something taken for granted with a wooden door with a rim lock.
If this is important to you beware UPVC.
Once manually shut and key locked, the UPVC door is locked at several points
around the frame and is more secure than most wooden doors.
Do ensure that the glass and other infill panels are fitted from the inside
with beading on the inner door face.

Bob

On Tue, 22 Jul 2003 10:13:42 +0100, Lee Blaver
wrote:

SWMBO wants to change our perfectly good (50mm) hardwood front door
for a nasty plastic one...
What is considered more secure, a decent wooden front
door and frame or a uPVC one?

I can see that the locking mechanism on the plastic door may be
superior, but most of the frames I've seen look like they would cave in
really easily to a good kick...

I have found a place that will make the door and frame with steel
reinforcement and a steel sheet reinforced lower panel, at a rather
surprisingly larger cost than the "standard" fare from the DG companies,
hence my question.

Oh, and whether it would be worth going for the steel reinforced plastic
door, if I can't persuade SWMBO into keeping the nice wooden one :-)

Lee


Plastic front doors are an abomination (IMHO)

Get rid of swmbo and keep the door you have

Paul Mc Cann

Lee Blaver wrote:
SWMBO wants to change our perfectly good (50mm) hardwood front door
for a nasty plastic one...
What is considered more secure, a decent wooden front
door and frame or a uPVC one?

I can see that the locking mechanism on the plastic door may be
superior, but most of the frames I've seen look like they would cave
in really easily to a good kick...

I have found a place that will make the door and frame with steel
reinforcement and a steel sheet reinforced lower panel, at a rather
surprisingly larger cost than the "standard" fare from the DG
companies, hence my question.

Oh, and whether it would be worth going for the steel reinforced
plastic door, if I can't persuade SWMBO into keeping the nice wooden
one :-)

Lee

Personally I like a wooden door, you can paint it to suit you and the frame
is smaller. uPVC normally comes in white or one of 4 or 5 wood grain
colours. A nice uPVC door from Screwfix will cost about£300 min a wooden
door can be had for £100.

uPVC is quite a flexible material it is normal for a reputable manufacturer
to insert steel reinforcing in the profile material.I you do go for a uPVC
door make sure you ask for one with no frame or 'low step' at the bottom or
you will continualy trip over it

Steve R

---
One piece, one button suit, timeless fashion. All made by the same
manufacturer, no designer label, everybody has one.

Lee Blaver wrote:

SWMBO wants to change our perfectly good (50mm) hardwood front door
for a nasty plastic one...
What is considered more secure, a decent wooden front
door and frame or a uPVC one?



The frame is realy what is the weak pont. If it can be jemmied...its all
a questio of locs, farmes etc. Ask the local crime preventin ossifer.


I can see that the locking mechanism on the plastic door may be
superior, but most of the frames I've seen look like they would cave in
really easily to a good kick...

I have found a place that will make the door and frame with steel
reinforcement and a steel sheet reinforced lower panel, at a rather
surprisingly larger cost than the "standard" fare from the DG companies,
hence my question.

Oh, and whether it would be worth going for the steel reinforced plastic
door, if I can't persuade SWMBO into keeping the nice wooden one :-)


Why not reinforce the nice door you have?



Lee

The Natural Philosopher wrote:
snip
What is considered more secure, a decent wooden front
door and frame or a uPVC one?


The frame is realy what is the weak pont. If it can be jemmied...its all
a questio of locs, farmes etc. Ask the local crime preventin ossifer.
snip

Why not reinforce the nice door you have?

The problem is the SWMBO wants a uPVC door (and frame) for aesthetic
reasons, (women!) and I'm trying to convince her that they are less
secure so that I can keep the sturdy wooden one we already have.

The area is not bad crime wise and I'm not a dealer before anyone
asks :-)

Lee

Lee




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Lee Blaver wrote in message ...
SWMBO wants to change our perfectly good (50mm) hardwood front door
for a nasty plastic one...
What is considered more secure, a decent wooden front
door and frame or a uPVC one?

I can see that the locking mechanism on the plastic door may be
superior, but most of the frames I've seen look like they would cave in
really easily to a good kick...

I was watching a TV program about the Police this week, They showed an
early morning raid on a house where they attempted to bust the UPVc
door down with a big steel smasher thing. Only problem was that the
door couldn't be bashed in! They had to remove the glass panel before
they could get it to open.
Looked to me like UPVc front doors are pretty tough, frame included,

David.

"Lee Blaver" wrote in message
...
SWMBO wants to change our perfectly good (50mm) hardwood front door
for a nasty plastic one...
What is considered more secure, a decent wooden front
door and frame or a uPVC one?

I can see that the locking mechanism on the plastic door may be
superior, but most of the frames I've seen look like they would cave in
really easily to a good kick...

I have found a place that will make the door and frame with steel
reinforcement and a steel sheet reinforced lower panel, at a rather
surprisingly larger cost than the "standard" fare from the DG companies,
hence my question.

Oh, and whether it would be worth going for the steel reinforced plastic
door, if I can't persuade SWMBO into keeping the nice wooden one :-)

Lee


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To reply use lee.blaver and NTL world com

If SWMBO insists on uPVC then do not go for the standard DG offerings which
are basically a DG frame with an infill panel instead of a DG panel.
Admittidly you can get these panels reinforced with a variety of innards
from plywood to mesh or even sheet steel for additional security. The cheap
foam filled panels can literally be walked through as my neighbour found to
his cost. Even the reinforced ones can be jemmied out by a determined
intruder.

The type of door you want is one that is not a frame within a frame but a
one piece door. The only company I know who makes these is called Rock
doors. We have one, it is a one piece foam and mesh filled moulding, the DG
unit in it is inserted through the top therefore no beading. If you are
interested e-mail me and I will try to dig out the details.

Richard