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How to install a security door

A barred security door fitted to the outside of a blue timber front door next to a circular patterned glass window

Overview

A sturdy, security door not only makes your home safer but will give you peace of mind as well. Find out how with Bunnings.

Steps

1Measure the size of your door

Measure the height and width of your door jamb/doorway frame before you choose a door. Even though most doorways are a standard size, they will all vary slightly.  Also, work out whether it's a right or left opening door. You can also get your door made to measure through Special Orders at your local Bunnings.

A Bunnings team member measuring the size of a door frame

2Attach the lock and handles

Follow the instructions that came with your door to attach the locks and handles. Our locking mechanism is attached with two screws. We then slid the spindle into the handles, inserted it through the locking mechanism and attached it with the screws. We then inserted the internal lock.

Locks and handles being attached to a security door

3Measure and mark for the hinges

You'll need someone to help you with this step. Place the door in the doorway. Use wedges to keep it in the right place. Make sure there is a 3mm gap at the top of the screen door, so it doesn't catch when it's being opened and closed. Then measure and mark where the hinges should go on the door jamb. Be sure the hinges are fully open before marking with the pencil.

A pencil being used to mark the door frame for chiselling away enough wood to install hinges

4Make the door jamb square

Because our house is a little older, the doorframe isn't square. So, we put the door back in place and traced around the hinges. We then used a hammer and chisel to check out the timber so that the hinges sit flush. Repeat this for the other hinges.

A chisel being used to square up the door frame's door jamb

5Pre-drill and attach the hinges

Pre-drill the holes for the hinges with the 2mm bit. Then screw (30mm) in the top hinge with the 30m screws. Once it's correctly in place, repeat the process for the bottom and middle hinges. It's important to do them in this order.

Holes being drilled into a door frame for screwing down the security door's hinges

6Mark for the striker

Close the door and mark where the centre of the striker is. Transfer this around onto the door jamb.

The door frame being marked with the position of the striker using a pencil

7Drill holes for the striker

Use the spade bit to drill holes for the striker and latch. The hole needs to be slightly larger than the striker. Check the striker fits in the hold by closing the door.

A bore spade drill bit being used to gouge a hole for the security door's striker in the door frame

8Attach the striker

Pre-drill the pilot holes with the 2mm bit for the screws. Fit the striker plate. Check that the lock and handles work correctly.

A striker being secured to the door frame with a power drill

9Peace of mind

And there you have it, a great looking security door that will give you and your family peace of mind in your own home.
A barred security door fitted to the outside of a blue timber front door next to a circular patterned glass window

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Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer. You can also use a simple test kit from Bunnings to indicate the presence of lead-based paint.