For any business considering an investment in high security doors and are unsure whether to opt for wood or steel doors the following real life story will help make that decision;
A high-rise apartment building wished to offer residents the highest possible security. Double steel security doors were installed in every unit. One day whilst out & about, an elderly tenant had an accident and was taken to the hospital. Neighbours became worried when they noticed his untouched newspaper outside his apartment the following day and called the police to break in to see if the elderly gentleman was in trouble. The police and fire departments thought the door was a painted wooden one and attempted to break their way in. Upon realising it was a steel security door, they sent for additional assistance. After almost an hour using two determined workers with special tools the rescue team pried the steel framework apart enough to disengage the locks on this 30 year old steel door. The high security steel doors had done their job!
Statistics reflect that more than 70% of burglars focus on a building’s door to gain entry. No matter how high quality the locks may be, if a wooden door can be broken the locks are useless, unlike steel doors.
If the workplace consists of several offices/rooms in a commercial building open to the public a business is at even greater risk and security alarms often do not bring authorities until 10 or 15 minutes have passed. This is plenty of time for a wooden door or doorframe to be broken, the workplace entered, and valuables taken. There is a reason that most safes and safe deposit boxes aren’t made of wood!
With steel security doors tests on their strength are an industry requirement. These tests guarantee buyers that steel doors cannot be broken into in such a manner.
Every aspect of steel security doors’ design, manufacture and installation guarantee that a buyer is obtaining the optimum in security. This offers a peace of mind that is hard to find with other types of high security doors, and should be a priority to most business owners. Plus, although “fire doors” can be purchased, businesses still receive excellent protection against the spread of fire with steel security doors. (Providers should have their doors’ fire ratings and fire resistance standards available for discussion.) Steel doors also provide increased energy efficiency, since they insulate the cold air from outside up to 4 times better than wooden doors.
Steel doors are made to a building’s specifications, with many factors measured for an exact fit. Openings for the locks are expertly engineered with no room for error. The metal framework fits perfectly to eliminate any space in which to slide the slimmest tool or crowbars. Installers take special measures to ensure the heavy doors are hung with perfect balance and all hardware is flush with surrounding surfaces. The entire process, including manufacture and delivery, can take several weeks, and the installation can require 5 hours, but the steel security door can last forever. It can’t rot, warp or otherwise change shape, thus eliminating a potentially dangerous situation!
There are many choices open to a business which is considering steel security doors, and after discussing the many options with a professional supplier, the buyer will know that they are getting a door that meets their unique needs. However, there are some aspects of high security doors that are standard, such as protections from rust and corrosion, various designs and finishes (most which require no maintenance), and the opportunity to choose locking mechanisms and the direction of swing. Some doors offer anti-lever cover plates, anti-crushing surfaces, anti-jimmy strips and reinforced steel edges to further enhance protection. With more than 65% of homeowners choosing entry doors made of steel, it makes sense for a business to consider them as well! Since every kind of steel security door can be accommodated by existing structures, even a business located in an old garage, carriage house, or condominium can take advantage of the protection it offers. Materials used in construction include galvanized or zintec steel. A few points to remember are that, when comparing types of steel, the stronger the steel, the lower the gauge number it carries. (Plus, the stronger it is, the more the steel will resist dents.) This number should be referred to as “true gauge” and not “nominal”, since the latter means it’s not quite at the rating it’s carrying. In addition, hot-dip galvanizing appears to offer more protection against rust than electro-galvanizing, which may leave some areas uncovered.
A steel door specialist can discuss what may be best for a buyer’s needs, and can explain the guarantee of parts, manufacture and anti-perforation abilities. He or she can also explain the pricing options; steel security doors range greatly in price, depending on customer choice. However, it is possible to purchase a high quality, high security door for less than expected. Although it may be a little more expensive than a standard wooden door, the benefits are definitely worth it!
