Are Sliding Doors Secure? | Your Guide to Sliding Door Security
Author: John Collins - Managing Director
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Security is just as important as style when choosing external doors for your home. Modern sliding patio doors come with built-in security features to help keep you and your home safe, especially when bought from a reliable manufacturer. A high-security external sliding door must combine robust materials, quality locking mechanisms, and expert installation to effectively deter intruders and withstand environmental stress.
Explore our guide to find out more about the features that make a secure sliding door, as well as our options here at Vufold.
In this guide:
Find out more about the features of a secure sliding door
Browse our collections here
Compare sliding doors to other external door options
Try extra addition to improve the security of your sliding doors
We answer some common queries
What Makes a High-Security External Sliding Door?
A high-security external sliding door should ideally combine robust materials, quality locking mechanisms, and expert installation to effectively deter intruders and withstand environmental stress. Features of a secure patio door include:
Strong Frame and Door Construction
- Materials: Frames made from aluminium are stronger than uPVC or timber. Aluminium, especially with thermal breaks, offers both security and energy efficiency. Both of our Supreme and Status sliding door frames are made from aluminium, presenting a more robust option.
- Glazing: Double or triple glazed laminated glass offers much better protection against impact.
High-Quality Lock
- Multi-point locks: These engage at several points along the frame, making it difficult to force open the door.
- Meeting the safety requirements: our sliding door locks are tested to meet PAS 24-2012 regulations
Professional Installation
- Even the best door can be compromised by poor installation. Use certified installers to ensure compliance with UK Building Regulations and maximum security.
- Ensure proper anchoring of the frame into the structure with security screws or bolts.
Additional Security Enhancements
- Sensor lighting and CCTV cameras can further deter intruders from entering your home
- Consider internal locking bars if your property is in a vulnerable area
Browse our Status sliding door collection here.
Which Patio Doors are More Secure?
At Vufold, our external sliding door ranges, Supreme and Status, are built with style and security in mind.
Supreme External Sliding Doors
Our Supreme collection comes with multi‑point locking that secures the door at several points along the frame, as well as a 3‑star anti‑drill & anti‑snap cylinder lock providing strong resistance against cylinder attacks.
Optional laminated security glass is also included for enhanced protection, and a thermally broken aluminium frame offers structural rigidity, plus added weather and burglar resistance.
Status External Sliding Doors
The Status collection has a PAS 24 rating (2012), a recognised UK standard for doors designed to resist forced entry. They also have high-security interlocks to help keep sliding panels tightly secured, as well as a ‘lift and slide’ mechanism that allows the door to sit on the track and create a tight seal when closed.
Both our Supreme and Status collections come with a 15-year guarantee, highlighting our confidence in long-term security performance.
How Does Sliding Door Security Compare to Bifold Doors and French Doors?
| Feature | External Sliding Doors | External Bifold Doors | French Doors (external) |
| Locking system | Multi-point lock; anti‑drill/anti‑snap cylinder; PAS 24 accredited (Status & Supreme ranges) | Multi-point lock (up to five locking points); anti‑lift track, reinforced hinges | Central multi-point lock; strong hinges/pivots/catches |
| Glass security | Option for laminated security glass; durable aluminium/uPVC frames | Toughened or laminated safety glass (double/triple glazing) | Oak/composite frames with excellent strength; likely timber safety glass |
| Material & frame strength | Aluminium/uPVC with sturdy interlocks; resistant to lifting off tracks | Aluminium (Status range) with reinforced hinges; anti‑lift tracks | Solid oak/composite frames; robust hardware for long‑term reliability |
| Certifications | PAS 24‑2012 accredited | Look for PAS 24 certification for added assurance | While Vufold doesn't cite PAS 24 specifically for French, strong hardware is emphasised |
| Anti‑lift protection | Interlocks included; prevents lifting from the track | Anti‑lift tracks and locking bolts into frame gears | Hinges/pivots/catches secure door leaves; central locking resists forced entry |
| Hardware quality | High‑security anti‑drill/anti‑snap cylinders, smart lock options | Zinc‑plated or steel hinges, concealed track locks, police‑approved multipoint locks | Heavy‑duty hinges, robust catches/pivots, decorative yet secure handles |
| Overall security ranking | On par with bifolds when fully specified; strong invasions resistance | Highly secure when fitted with proper hardware; realistically more secure than standard patio doors | Generally considered most secure among patio door styles due to strong pivot/hinge and central locking |
Browse our Supreme sliding door collection here.
What Can Enhance the Security of Sliding Doors?
- Upgrade the locking system: multi-point locks engage at several points along the frame, making it much harder to force open. Some sliding door locking systems can’t be upgraded, so consider a new sliding door instead.
- Use laminated or security glass: laminated glass contains a plastic interlayer that holds the glass together even when broken, making it much more resistant to forced entry.
- Reinforce the door track and frame: use a steel or aluminium track with reinforced anchoring into the floor or wall. Weak frames can be pried open – so ensure a solid installation.
- Add extra security features: glass break sensors, motion lighting and CCTV can all deter intruders.
- Maintain your sliding patio door: ensure tracks are clean and unobstructed, as doors that don’t close or lock properly are a security risk. Check seals and rollers regularly; misaligned panels can compromise locking efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are modern sliding doors secure?
Yes, contemporary sliding doors often feature multi-point locking systems, toughened or laminated glazing, interlocking rails and anti-lift blocks, making them robust and secure
What locking mechanisms do sliding doors use?
They typically use multi-point locks engaging several frame points, alongside internal key-operated cylinders. Electric locking systems are also available, concealed within the frame.
Which glass is safest for sliding doors?
Laminated glass offers superior security since, even if broken, it stays bonded to an internal interlayer. Triple-glazed units improve resistance too, but laminated glazing is the best deterrent.
Are aluminium frames more secure than uPVC or timber?
Yes. Aluminium frames are inherently stronger and more resistant to prising, while uPVC and timber can warp or bend under force.
Are sliding doors more fragile than French or bifold doors?
Not necessarily. While French doors use hinges and central locking, high-quality sliding doors with multipoint locks and strong materials are equally secure.
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About John Collins
John has built Vufold into a unique online door and window company and has spent 20 years bringing innovative products and designs to fruition, recognising niches in the market and placing them in the likes of Wickes and Travis Perkins, he started Vufold in order to sell them directly. John founded Vufold and has amassed a wealth of experience in product design and development, and in particular timber-based products
Read more about John Collins