Home Security Upgrades: Locks, Doors, and Costs

Most UK burglaries are opportunistic - a weak lock, an open window, or a dark driveway. The good news is that effective security upgrades are some of the cheapest home improvements you can make. A £150 lock upgrade and a £100 smart camera can reduce your burglary risk more than a £10,000 alarm system that's never activated.

Here's what actually works, what it costs, and where to prioritise your spending.

Priority 1: Door Locks (£60-£300 per door)

Front Door - The Main Target

Your front door lock is the single most important security feature. Upgrade based on your door type:

Wooden doors:

• 5-lever mortice deadlock (BS3621 rated): £80-£150 fitted
• Should be insurance-compliant as a minimum
• Add a night latch (Yale-type) for convenience: £60-£120 fitted

uPVC and composite doors:

• Anti-snap euro cylinder (TS007 3-star rated): £80-£150 fitted
• Standard euro cylinders can be snapped in under 30 seconds with basic tools
• 3-star rated cylinders resist snapping, picking, drilling, and bumping
• This is the single most impactful security upgrade for most modern UK homes

Multipoint lock mechanism:

• If the multipoint lock itself is failing (stiff, won't lift, misaligned): £150-£300 to replace
• Usually replaced as a unit by a locksmith

Back and Side Doors

• Same lock standards as front doors
• Patio doors: add a secondary security bar or patio door lock (£30-£80)
• French doors: ensure both doors have shoot bolts into the frame, plus a central multipoint lock
• Bifold doors: modern bifolds have built-in multipoint locks, but check the cylinder quality

Finding a Locksmith

• Use a Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) member - vetted, insured, and CRB-checked
• Avoid searching "locksmith near me" during an emergency - many results are call centres that dispatch unqualified workers at inflated prices
• Save a local MLA locksmith's number in your phone before you need one

Priority 2: Window Security (£10-£50 per window)

Window Locks

Many older windows, especially pre-2000 uPVC and timber windows, have inadequate or missing window locks.

Whole house (10 windows): £100-£400 for locks. One of the cheapest, most effective security upgrades available.

Glazing

• Laminated glass in ground-floor windows resists being smashed through (holds together like a car windscreen). Costs £20-£40 per pane more than standard toughened glass.
• Standard double glazing is harder to break than single glazing but not burglar-resistant
• If replacing windows, specify laminated inner pane on ground-floor and accessible windows

Priority 3: Exterior Lighting (£50-£500)

Well-lit exteriors deter burglars, who prefer darkness.

Best approach: Combine a PIR floodlight over the driveway/back door with dusk-to-dawn lights at the front door and side passage. Total cost: £60-£150, massive deterrent impact.

Priority 4: Smart Security (£100-£500)

Video Doorbells

Best value: Eufy - no monthly subscription, local storage, excellent image quality. Ring is the most popular but requires a paid subscription for recording review.

Outdoor Cameras

Smart Alarms

For insurance discounts: Some insurers only recognise professionally installed, monitored alarms. Check your policy before investing. The NSI (National Security Inspectorate) maintains a list of approved alarm installers.

Priority 5: Physical Barriers (£100-£2,000)

Often overlooked: Locking the side gate. Most rear-entry burglaries start with an unlocked gate to the back garden. A £40 gate lock is one of the most effective security upgrades.

Security Package Costs

Security and Insurance

Upgrading security can reduce premiums and ensure claims aren't rejected:

1. Check your policy requirements - most specify minimum lock standards
2. Keep receipts and certificates - proof of BS3621 locks, alarm installation certificates
3. Notify your insurer of upgrades - to activate any discounts
4. Photograph your setup - evidence of security measures in case of a claim
5. Check TrustMark for installers - vetted, quality-assured tradespeople

Next Steps

1. Check your locks - are they BS3621 (mortice) or TS007 3-star (euro cylinder)?
2. Upgrade the front door lock first - biggest impact, lowest cost
3. Add window locks - £100-£400 for whole house (DIY)
4. Install exterior lighting - PIR + dusk-to-dawn for £60-£150
5. Consider a smart doorbell - visible deterrent for £80-£200
6. Review your insurance - check requirements and claim available discounts
7. Get a repair estimate - use our repair calculator for fitting costs in your area