7321 Victoria Park Ave., unit 20, Markham, Canada​
Choosing a Burglar-Proof Door for Your Residential Home:
A Step-by-Step Guide
When selecting a burglar-proof door for your home, the following steps can guide you in making an informed decision:
1. Assess the Risk Level: Begin by evaluating the burglary risk in your area. If incidents are prevalent, opt for a door with a higher security class, such as the 3rd anti-burglary class (RC 3). For areas with lower risk, a class 2 door (RC 2) may be sufficient. Regardless of security class, the door frame should be constructed from steel, extruded aluminum alloy, or hardwood reinforced with steel plates and should feature a minimum of three hinges.
2. Prioritize the Multi-Point Lock: The multi-point lock serves as the initial barrier against intrusion. Ensure it is robust and provides enhanced security.
3. Focus on the Door Leaf (Slab): The door leaf is a critical component. Opt for a fully rabbeted door leaf that overlaps the frame and threshold, creating an additional seal around the perimeter.
4. Consider Door Orientation: If possible, install the door with the rabbeted leaf opening to the outside (out-swing). This configuration enhances kick-in resistance, thermal insulation, and water resistance.
5. Protect Against UV Radiation and Precipitation: To maintain door aesthetics and prevent surface fading, avoid direct exposure to sunlight and precipitation. Installing a roof or canopy above the door can preserve its design for decades without compromising anti-burglary properties.
6. Address Glass Security: If the door includes a glass insert, ensure it has a break-in-resistant option. Optimal security involves triple glass with 6mm laminated glass of car windshield quality on the exterior. P4A glass being the top choice for maximum impact resistance.
7. Ensure Proper Ventilation and Heating: Maintain a well-ventilated and heated room where the door is installed, especially during winter. In inadequately heated spaces with high humidity and insufficient ventilation, inner metal surfaces may experience condensation due to extreme external temperatures.
By following these considerations, you can make an informed choice that not only enhances security but also aligns with your aesthetic and functional preferences.
Burglary resistance comparison of exterior doors
Conventional Steel Door
Strengths and Common Weaknesses.
Conventional steel doors remain the most widely used entry doors in Canada and the United States due to their affordable price, low maintenance, and simple installation. However, the majority of these doors—often more than 90%—are assembled using low‑cost imported materials and basic hardware.
Despite decades on the market, there have been very few meaningful improvements to address forced‑entry vulnerabilities in traditional steel door construction.
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Main Components of a Conventional Steel Door
1. Door Slab (Non‑Rabbeted Design)
45 mm thick, wrapped in 26–24 gauge (0.5–0.7 mm) galvanized steel skin.
Internal low‑grade wood stiles offer minimal resistance to forced entry.
Typically insulated with polystyrene or polyurethane foam.
The bottom threshold rubber sweep commonly warps or loosens within 2–3 years, leading to drafts and reduced energy efficiency.
2. Door Frame
Most frames use finger‑jointed pine or cellular PVC jambs, about 0.75" (20 mm) thick on the lock side.
These jambs often crack or break during a single forceful kick, creating an easy point of failure.
3. Locking System
The most common setup is a single deadbolt.
Under impact, basic deadbolts can easily collapse or shear off.
3‑point multi‑lock systems exist but are rarely installed on budget‑grade doors due to cost.
Security Consideration
Because of the thin steel skin, weak internal stiles, light frame, and basic lock, a conventional steel door can often be breached with a single strong kick.
Typical forced‑entry time: 2–5 seconds without any tools.
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Watch this video how easy to do that
Doesn't meet RC-1 requirements.
Conventional steel door - after break in
Fiberglass entry door - after break in
Fiberglass Door
Key Features and Limitations
Fiberglass doors have become increasingly popular across Canada and the United States over the past decade thanks to their realistic wood‑grain appearance, low maintenance requirements, and straightforward installation. Many fiberglass door slabs and components are manufactured overseas, mostly in China.
Although fiberglass doors offer several advantages, it’s important to understand their structural limitations—especially regarding security. They are generally stronger than standard steel doors but are not fully resistant to forced entry.
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Main Components of a Fiberglass Door System
1. Door Slab (Non‑Rabbeted Design)
Approximately 45 mm thick with a 2 mm fiberglass skin.
Internal wood or composite stiles are not engineered to withstand significant forced entry.
Can warp under certain weather or temperature conditions.
Insulated with polystyrene or polyurethane foam.
Bottom rubber sweep mounted over the threshold commonly warps or loosens within 2–3 years, potentially causing air drafts.
2. Door Frame
Typically built from composite or cellular PVC jambs about 0.75" (20 mm) thick. More durable than pine, but can still crack or contract when subjected to impact or forced entry.
3. Locking System
Standard setup includes a single deadbolt.
Optional upgrade: 3‑point multi‑lock strip for improved engagement.
Even with upgraded hardware, the overall door structure may remain vulnerable to forceful kicking or prying.
Security Consideration
Due to the overall construction of the slab, frame, and locking interfaces, fiberglass doors can typically be breached within 10–20 seconds under a forceful attack—often without the use of tools.
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Watch this video how easy to do that
Doesn't meet RC 2 requirements.
PIRNAR
burglar proof aluminum doors
PIRNAR superior quality European aluminum exterior doors. Maximum value! Carbon Core inside!
The entirely new optimum collection pushes the boundaries of what is possible. Its special construction is made primarily out of carbon fiber. Due to the rigidity of the construction, this is the door with the best sealing and resistance to extreme either conditions. All doors can be upgraded with RC2 standard for burglar resistance. Never before has this class of front doors been so sophisticatedly constructed, with so many superior features.
European steel security doors
RC2, RC3, RC4 75 mm thick leaf with a four-sided rebate, made of 0.7 mm thick galvanized steel laminated sheet, filled with polyurethane foam, equipped with a gasket.
Three anti-theft bolts on the hinge side of the door.
Three 3D hinges with covers, adjustable in three planes.
Multipoint strip-hook lock from Winkhaus.
Latch strike with adjustable pressure.
Steel and wooden thermal break door frame consisting of a galvanized sheet with a thickness of 0.6 - 1.2 mm and pine plywood, laminated in the color of the leaf, equipped with a gasket.
Aluminum threshold integrated with the frame with a thermal break.
