stained glass

[MrMiniver]

We have an Edwardian house with stained glass panels in the original front door. There are a few minor chips, but otherwise good. How can we make it more secure from burglars (who push the glazing in to access the lock, apparently) and increase insulation?

 

[Cubist]

A secondary glazed panel of toughened/security glass perhaps?

 

[fernicarry]

In terms of security, if you have a rim lock (sometimes called a Yale lock) where the latch is operated by a knob on the inside, some of those can be deadlocked from outside when you leave by turning the key in the opposite direction. Of course the prospective burglar will already have panned in your nice stained glass by the time they find that out...

Secondary locks like these are quite straightforward to fit and are quite discrete for doors that you don't regularly use or on your main door when you retire for the night. I've just finished this second fitting 4 of them to the french doors round the back of this house. The doors have laminated glass too so should stand up to a fair amount of punishment.

Need to balance additional security with the need to leave in a hurry in case of a fire though.

Do you have a good weatherseal around the edge of the door? Fix drafts first before worrying about insulation.

 

[a twig]

A secondary glazed panel of toughened/security glass perhaps?

I’d second this but suggest 5mm polycarbonate instead - it cannot be smashed by hand tools, would require being hit with enough force to rip out the fixings or cut/drilled with power tools to gain entry