Types of front doors: wooden, metal, armoured or reinforced

Quick answer: from least to most secure, front doors fall into wooden, metal, reinforced and armoured. The armoured door is the most secure, but for most homes the best value isn't changing the whole door — it's reinforcing its weak points: the cylinder and the escutcheon.

Your home's security starts with the front door, and the door type sets the limit of protection you can reach. Knowing yours helps you make good decisions without overspending. These are the four main categories.

Wooden door

The most common in older homes and old towns like Mijas Pueblo. It's aesthetically warm, but offers lower resistance to levering and drilling. The good news is it can be greatly reinforced with a good anti-bump cylinder, an armoured escutcheon and a security deadbolt as a second locking point.

Metal door

More resistant than wood and common in flats and commercial premises. It takes security locks and locking upgrades. It's usually a good starting point to reinforce without changing the door.

Reinforced door

A wooden door reinforced inside with one or more steel sheets. It offers a good balance of price and security, enough for most homes. Its real security depends a lot on the quality of the cylinder and the locking points.

Armoured door

The highest level: a full steel structure with a reinforced frame and several anchor points to the frame. It's the most secure option, especially recommended on ground floors, villas and high-value homes (for example in Mijas Golf or El Faro).

Which one do you need?

Here's the money-saving point: more important than changing the door is reinforcing its weak points properly. A reinforced door with a basic cylinder is less secure than a wooden one with a good anti-bump cylinder and an escutcheon. Before considering a new door (a big investment), look at reinforcing the locking. At S1 Locksmiths we advise you based on your door and budget, without overselling.