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Door locks act as a physical barrier against intruders, deterring potential threats and providing a sense of security. Upgrading your front door lock to a high-quality deadlock or smart lock can significantly maximise your protection.

Deadbolt locks are one of the most secure types of door locks, typically used on external doors. They are available in single-cylinder and double-cylinder varieties. 

Single-cylinder deadbolts: These cylinder locks are operated with a key from the outside and a thumb turn from the inside. Single-cylinder locks are easy to use but could be a security risk if there are near windows, as burglars could break the glass and access the thumb turn. Despite this, they remain a popular choice for exterior doors due to their simplicity and ease of installation.

Double-cylinder deadbolts: Double-cylinder locks require a key to operate from both the inside and outside, providing an extra layer of security. They are commonly used on external doors with glass panels or doors located near windows, preventing intruders from breaking the glass and gaining access. If you have this lock type, it’s important to remember to keep a key in an easily accessible location to ensure a quick exit in case of emergencies.

Smart locks allow you to lock and unlock your door remotely, while offering advanced functionalities, such as temporary access codes for guests or deliveries. This makes them a versatile choice for modern homeowners. If you’re unsure what door lock would be best suited to you, you can read our blog, “Door Lock Types: Buying Guide”, for some guidance.


The strength of your door frame is incredibly important for ensuring your home’s security, as even the most robust lock can fail if the door frame isn't sturdy. Reinforcing your door frame can prevent forced entry, such as kicking or prying. Take the following steps to maximise your door’s security:

Install a strike plate: Your front door should have a heavy-duty strike plate with long 3-inch screws to anchor into wall studs. This will ensure the door remains securely closed by engaging the latch. 

Upgrade hinge screws: Replacing standard screws with longer ones will provide enhanced security and stability for your front door. If your door swings outward, consider security hinges or hinge bolts to prevent removal.

Use door jamb reinforcement kits: These kits add a layer of metal to the door jamb, strengthening the door frame and making it more resistant to forced entry methods. 

Improve door hardware and physical barriers

Making simple additions to your front door to ensure it's secure from the inside and out can greatly improve your protection. Consider the following:

Door peepholes and viewers: Door peepholes and viewers are a cost-effective and reliable security tool. They allow you to see who’s outside before opening the door, reducing the risk of unwanted entry.

Door chains: The addition of a door chain to your front door maximises your safety by allowing you to open the door partially when someone is on the other side of it. Eliminating the need for fully opening your front door, door chains create peace of mind and ensure you’re protected.

Security bars: Security bars prevent a front door from being opened, even when someone tries to force the lock. This increases your protection from intruders and maximises your safety.

The material and design of your front door can impact its security, with some options providing greater protection than others. The door materials you should consider when looking to enhance front door security include:

Solid wood doors: While these doors can be more costly compared to other options, they are incredibly durable and offer premium security. Solid wood doors are much harder to break through compared to more hollow types. 

Metal doors: Doors made of metal provide excellent security. Steel doors, especially, are incredibly tough and are resistant to forced entry. They are also a great low maintenance choice and are highly durable in harsh weather conditions.

Fiberglass doors: Fiberglass doors offer a balance of durability and insulation. They are strong and resistant to impact and don’t warp, crack, or rust, making them a great option for extreme temperatures.

Technology has revolutionised home security, offering new and exciting solutions to maximise protection. Smart home security systems can be an effective way to monitor and control your front door security remotely, giving you the peace of mind that your home remains secure at all times. These are the smart security systems you should consider:

Video doorbells: Installing video doorbells allows you to see when visitors are at your door via your smartphone, so you can communicate with them even when you’re not at home. 

Smart locks: As previously mentioned, smart locks are incredibly effective in keeping your home secure. They can be integrated into your smart home system for convenience and security.

Motion sensors and cameras: Placing motion sensors and cameras around your front door will work to alert you of any suspicious activity. This allows you to act promptly, even when you are not at home.

Discover front door security solutions with IronmongeryDirect

Now that you understand the important role front doors play in keeping your home safe and protected, all that’s left to do is maximise your security. Discover our wide range of high-performance door security solutions at IronmongeryDirect, where you’ll find the perfect solution to meet your front door security requirements.

How often do you need to replace a front door?

The amount of time between a front door replacement depends on a number of factors, including the material and quality of your door. Most front doors last between 15 to 30 years, but if you notice visible damage, drafts, or loose hinges, this can all compromise your security, and you should replace your front door sooner. 

Securing a uPVC front door involves ensuring it has a high-quality multi-point locking system. The door frame should be reinforced with longer screws and extra security features, such as a door chain and hinge bolts. Taking these steps will improve the security of your door whilst maintaining its functionality.

How do I make double front doors more secure?

Improving the security of double front doors includes adding reinforced strike plates, extra hinge bolts, and heavy-duty locks to both doors. This will provide advanced protection against intruders. Consider installing a security bar and a door chain for peace of mind and an extra layer of security.

Glass front doors can feel like a less secure option, allowing potential intruders to gain a clearer view into your home. To secure a glass front door, you should install a strong deadbolt lock and reinforce the door frame with a heavy-duty strike plate. Adding security film to the glass will also provide enhanced protection.

Are smart locks as secure as traditional locks?

Yes, smart locks are as secure as traditional deadbolt locks. As long as they’re properly installed and high-quality, smart locks offer advanced security and many still use a physical deadbolt mechanism. The difference lies in how they’re controlled, being via an app, keypad, or fingerprint, instead of solely a key.

Front door security is essential for keeping you and your home safe and protected. By reinforcing the security of your front door, you can significantly enhance your peace of mind. In this guide, we’ll explore five effective ways to improve front door security, from traditional to modern methods.

“There is definitely a sense of unity in the maintenance and construction industries. This is something I felt at British Gas,” Kevin reflects. Yet despite the strong bonds shared between workers, he admits that his time as an engineer was often a lonely experience. “A lot of my time was spent alone in my van, and I only saw my colleagues at lunch.” For Kevin, these lunch breaks were a vital social outlet, offering moments to connect, share frustrations, and enjoy some light-hearted banter. But once lunch was over, it was back to the solitude of the van. This sense of isolation is something many tradespeople can relate to, spending a large portion of their day alone with their thoughts.

After transitioning into a managerial role and spending much of his time working remotely, Kevin found solace in cafes, where he could get out of the house and people watch while working. “I enjoyed that, until the pandemic hit. When it did, I’d spend 9-5 every day alone in my office.” The shift to remote working, without the chance to spend time in public spaces, took a toll on his mental well-being. “Not being able to go out had a massive effect on me.”

Now in his role at Turn Power, a company that provides heating, hot water, and air conditioning services to restaurants, Kevin finds himself back in an office environment, and it has made all the difference. "I feel less lonely now than when I was in my van alone," he shares. The social aspect of being in an office again has had a significant positive impact on his mental health.

Having completed Mental Health First Aid training during his time at British Gas, Kevin recognises the importance of mental health support in the industry. "As men, we don’t speak. We think we can’t talk, so we don’t open up." He is candid about the stigma surrounding mental health discussions, particularly among men in the trades. “I’m a hypocrite,” he acknowledges that while he will always encourage others to speak up, he struggles to do so himself.

Kevin believes this reluctance to open up is common among men. He compares the long phone conversations his wife has with her friends, where they openly share how they’re feeling, with the lack of similar discussions between him and his friends. “I don’t think I’ve ever been asked how I am by a friend, but equally, I’ve never asked a friend that either. We will go to the pub and talk about football, but we don’t mention how we’re feeling.”

At Turn Power, there are resources available to employees, including a helpline that Kevin encourages his colleagues to use. He recalls a time when one of his engineers was struggling mentally and he pushed them to use the available support. Despite this, Kevin admits that he doesn’t always feel comfortable using these resources himself. "The problem is, you feel like you’re the only one struggling, but you’re never alone. If you share your problems, it really does help," he reflects.

When asked about the progress of mental health awareness in the trades, Kevin acknowledges that things are slowly improving, but there's still a long way to go. "It’s better than it used to be, but if I were to compare it to a marathon, I’d say we’re only halfway there," he says. While conversations around mental health are becoming more common, Kevin believes there’s still more work to be done to reduce the stigma and encourage open dialogue.

According to Kevin, the need to appear "macho" or tough is a major barrier to people speaking up. Until that mindset changes, the stigma surrounding mental health will persist. "The person who’s hiding it the best is probably the most unhappy," he states. For Kevin, the key to breaking this cycle is encouraging more open conversations about mental health, both at work and in the wider community. "The more that people talk about it, the more it will stick with others.”

Kevin's story is a reminder that even in industries where strength is often emphasised, stress and mental health struggles are all too common — and acknowledging them is crucial. His willingness to talk about his own experiences is a significant step toward changing the narrative for others in the trades.

Read our Mental Health in the Trades Report to learn more about the mental health challenges faced by tradespeople and the resources that are available to offer support. 

Kevin Richards, a tradesman from Hampshire, began his career with a four-year plumbing apprenticeship, which ultimately led him to become an engineer at British Gas. After more than 19 years with the company, he took voluntary redundancy and moved on to a new role at Turn Power. With his extensive experience in the trades, I was eager to hear Kevin’s perspective on mental health in the industry.

Shifting the Culture: Mental Health in the Trades and the Importance of Speaking Up

When I had the opportunity to ask Rob some questions, he recalled a time he was on a site and felt hesitant to read a mental health awareness poster that was on the wall. “I was afraid that others would see me looking at this poster. There was a team of workers who I was supposed to be supporting, and I didn’t want them to know I was struggling.” Rob’s reluctance to ask for support and his worries about the reactions from others reflects the feelings of a lot of tradespeople. “I just wasn’t talking. I was a typical construction worker who didn’t speak about their mental health and didn’t know how.”

Eventually, Rob decided he had to be honest with himself and admit that he needed help. After leaning into support, things started to improve. “I had to break down my barriers and remove the ‘mask’ I was wearing.” Determined to change the culture around mental health in construction, The MYH Podcast was born, a platform dedicated to open discussions. The podcast attempts to remove the stigma attached to speaking up, featuring conversations with other construction workers sharing stories about their mental health struggles.

Rob is also part of the Make It Visible team for The Lighthouse Charity, where he travels to construction sites across the UK, delivering mental health talks to workers. “I was at a talk last summer in a warehouse between Manchester and Liverpool and stood in front of around 400 workers and broke down mid-speech because of things I was going through at the time. It takes that one person to be vulnerable to let others know it’s okay to do that too.”

His talks resonate deeply with workers who are likely to be experiencing similar mental health struggles. “People will speak to me after I’ve done a talk and share things they say they’ve never told anyone before.” One particularly powerful moment came when a worker messaged Rob after attending one of his talks, saying he had been inspired to seek therapy. A decision that not only changed his own life but also inspired his father to seek help.

“The construction industry is unique. Teams may argue, but they always come together.” Despite this strong sense of camaraderie amongst workers, it’s evident the industry still has a lot of work to do in breaking the stigma around conversations about mental health. I was curious to hear Rob’s thoughts on the main causes of mental health struggles among tradespeople. “Money, relationships, the pressures of life!” He explains that the industry’s culture, particularly among men, can make it even more difficult for people to open up.

Despite the years Rob spent leading large construction projects, he reveals nothing gives him the same satisfaction as his current work. By connecting with workers in ways they can relate to, even drawing parallels between mental health and football, Rob manages to resonate with those who attend his talks and listen to his podcast. Comparing the stress before a penalty to anxiety and the sadness of a missed shot to depression helps people understand these feelings and how to deal with them.

Having pulled himself out of a dark place by leaning into the support around him, Rob’s work encouraging other construction workers to do the same has made a real difference — not just in their lives, but in his as well. “I wasn’t put on this planet just to lay bricks. It was to help change lives through the work I do today.”

Rob Muldoon, a bricklayer and project manager from Macclesfield, found himself facing mental health struggles he never anticipated back in 2018. Having always been the type to bury himself in work, showing up and getting the job done even when his mind was elsewhere, Rob had never spoken about what he was going through.

Breaking the Stigma: Rob’s Journey to Mental Health Advocacy in Construction

Understanding the importance of fire door safety

Fire doors are an integral component of a building's fire protection system, providing a critical barrier that can save lives and property by containing and slowing the spread of fire. Compliance with fire door regulations is not just a legal obligation but a moral one, maximising safety for everyone who may rely on these doors in the event of a fire.  

Fire doors perform several essential safety functions, including:

Containing fire: Fire doors are designed to contain fire for a specific period, typically 30 to 60 minutes. This allows for safe evacuation while preventing the flames from spreading rapidly.

Reducing smoke ingress: In addition to containing the fire, fire doors limit the spread of smoke, which is often more deadly than the fire itself.

Providing safe egress: By ensuring that escape routes remain clear and accessible, fire doors allow people to evacuate safely in the event of a fire.

What’s new in the 2025 fire door regulations?

The 2025 fire door safety regulations introduce a series of updated fire door requirements designed to raise safety standards across the board. In the UK, fire door regulations are governed by several standards, including the British Standards Institution (BSI) guidelines and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The 2025 updates align with these existing frameworks, enhancing the safety measures already in place. Here’s a breakdown of what’s changed:

Stricter installation standards: Fire door installation must now be performed by certified professionals to ensure compliance with the updated safety requirements.

Mandatory use of intumescent seals: All fire doors must be fitted with intumescent seals that expand under high temperatures to prevent the spread of smoke and flames. Intumescent strips, smoke seals, intumescent glazing seals, and vision panels should be undamaged, fit up to the door edge or frame, and cannot be painted over. 

Increased inspection frequency for high-traffic buildings: Certain public or commercial buildings must now have fire doors checked quarterly instead of annually to ensure safety standards are maintained.

Updated fire resistance material requirements: Materials used in fire door cores, frames, and glazing must meet enhanced British (BS) or European (EN) fire resistance standards.


Building owners and managers are legally responsible for ensuring their properties comply with the updated UK fire door safety regulations. This involves:

Routine inspections should be conducted regularly to verify that fire door requirements are met and that the doors are in good condition and functioning correctly. This involves looking for visible signs of damage and ensuring that self-closing mechanisms and seals are functioning properly. The frequency of inspections depends on the building type and usage. High-traffic areas may require more frequent checks.

Records of fire door inspections should be kept as proof, including certification that doors meet all regulatory standards. Documentation should confirm that each door has been certified, following the BS and EN fire door regulatory standards.

All building occupants and staff should be aware of fire safety protocols, including how to properly use fire doors in an emergency and the importance of keeping the area unobstructed at all times. 

To maintain compliance and ensure safety, you must choose fire door kits that comply with current regulations for maximum safety. At IronmongeryDirect, we offer a variety of fire door kits – ranging from heavy-duty to light-duty options, along with effective fire door hinges, door closers, door holders and fire safety signs.

If you need further confidence, take a look at our fire door checklist to ensure your doors meet all necessary safety standards.

Discover fire door kits at IronmongeryDirect

Now that you're up to speed with the 2025 fire door safety regulations, it’s time to ensure your fire safety setup is fully compliant. Explore our range of fire door kits at IronmongeryDirect — built to meet the latest standards and provide maximum protection for your building. 

Are fire door inspections a legal requirement?

Yes, fire door inspections are a legal requirement in the UK. Under UK law, it is the legal duty of the responsible person (which may include building owners, employers, or facilities managers) to ensure that fire doors are correctly installed, properly maintained, and remain in good working condition.

The cost of a fire door varies depending on several factors, including the required fire rating, the materials used, and whether installation is included. A basic fire door typically costs between £70 and £150 for supply only, whereas higher-rated doors usually start at around £300 and can exceed £600. 

Yes, fire doors can have glass, but it must be specially designed fire-resistant glass that has been tested and certified to withstand fire for a specific duration. To maintain the door’s fire integrity, the glass must be installed within a fire-rated door set using appropriate fire-resistant seals and materials. 

The rooms where fire doors are required depend on the type and layout of the building, with the main aim of protecting escape routes and containing fire in high-risk areas. In commercial or non-domestic buildings, fire doors are commonly required in high-risk areas such as kitchens and server rooms. In residential settings, common areas for fire doors include between a garage and the main house, as well as entrance doors in flats.  

Can you make an existing door a fire door?

It is possible to upgrade an existing door to meet fire door standards. This involves various modifications, such as fitting intumescent strips, cold smoke seals, and fire-rated hinges. The upgrade must be done carefully, usually requiring a qualified professional, and unless the door has been properly tested and certified as a complete fire door set, it cannot be officially classified as a fire door. 

With several new fire door safety regulations coming into effect in 2025, it’s more important than ever to stay informed and compliant. These updated guidelines are designed to enhance fire protection by ensuring that buildings are equipped with properly installed and regularly maintained fire doors.

2025 fire door safety regulations: Everything you need to know

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From the trade blog

5 Ways to Improve Front Door Security

Shifting the Culture: Mental Health in the Trades and the Importance of Speaking Up

Breaking the Stigma: Rob’s Journey to Mental Health Advocacy in Construction

2025 fire door safety regulations: Everything you need to know

The UK's biggest range. Chosen for you.

The UK's biggest range.Chosen for you.

Rated excellent by 94,022 customers

Exactly what I needed…

Excellent in all ways

Excellent

Stocking the best ironmongery brands

It pays to refer

Your project

starts here

5 Ways to Improve Front Door Security

Shifting the Culture: Mental Health in the Trades and the Importance of Speaking Up

Breaking the Stigma: Rob’s Journey to Mental Health Advocacy in Construction

2025 fire door safety regulations: Everything you need to know

The UK's biggest range.
Chosen for you.