Article highlights:
- French doors are beautiful but often the weakest point of entry in a home, requiring targeted security upgrades rather than generic fixes.
- A compliant security screen door with a three-point locking system is one of the most effective ways to secure French doors while preserving their look and allowing airflow.
- Upgrading your glass to a laminated or impact-resistant option, or applying 3M security film, adds a significant layer of protection with minimal visual change.
French doors are one of those features people genuinely fall in love with. The way they open a room, invite in light, and connect the inside to the patio or garden, it’s hard to argue against them. But they do come with a trade-off. Their large glass panels, dual-door design, and often lightweight frames make them one of the more vulnerable entry points in a home.
The good news is that knowing how to secure French doors doesn’t mean boarding them up or strapping on hardware that looks completely out of place. There are practical, tested solutions that keep your doors looking the way you intended while making life significantly harder for anyone who shouldn’t be there.
Why French doors deserve more attention than most
According to ABS Crime Victimisation data for 2024-25, around 1.8 per cent of Australian households experienced a break-in. In Perth alone, WA Police statistics recorded over 12,400 residential burglaries. A significant portion of those entries happen through rear and patio doors, which is exactly where most French double doors sit.
The issue isn’t just the glass. It’s the combination of factors: two doors meeting in the middle, a single latch point, hinges that may be exposed, and glass that ordinary glazing can’t withstand much force. Address all of those, and you’ve got genuinely high-security French doors that still look the part.
How to make French doors more secure, step by step
Add a security screen door in front
This is the most complete solution for most Perth homes. A quality security screen door installed over your French doors adds a tested physical barrier without interfering with the aesthetic you’ve built.
Under AS 5039.1-2023 and AS 5039.3-2023, compliant security screen doors must include triple (three-point) locking and five-pin cylinders. That means the door grips the frame in three separate places when locked, making forced entry far more difficult. Products without this certification are technically only barrier doors, not security doors.
For Perth homes in particular, a stainless-steel mesh screen also lets you keep the French doors open in summer without inviting in insects, and it keeps the airflow going without compromising your home security. Demand for this type of stylish security solution has grown significantly as homeowners realise you don’t have to choose between safety and comfort.
Upgrade the glass in your French door panels
Ordinary annealed glass is the weakest part of most French doors. It breaks easily and, when it does, it shatters into sharp pieces that create a quick access point. Laminated glass, by contrast, holds together when struck because of a bonding layer between two panes. It can withstand significantly more force than standard glass and maintains its appearance even under impact.
Tempered glass is another option and is stronger than ordinary glass, but it does shatter completely when it breaks. For rear and patio doors, laminated glass is generally the better choice from a security standpoint.
If replacing the glass panels isn’t in the budget right now, 3M security film is a practical retrofit. Applied directly to your existing glass, it holds the pane together under impact, slowing or preventing access through the glass. It also blocks UV light, which is a bonus for WA’s sun-exposed interiors. 3M safety and security window films are available in various grades depending on your protection needs.
Fit the right locks on both doors
Most French double doors have an active door (the one you open first) and an inactive door that’s held in place by flush bolts at the top and bottom. These bolts shoot into the door frame and floor, stabilising that second door. Many homeowners overlook them or leave them as the original builder-grade hardware, which isn’t always adequate.
Upgrading to solid flush bolts on the inactive door, combined with a good-quality mortise lock or double cylinder deadbolt on the active door, gives you multiple points of resistance. A double cylinder deadbolt requires a key on both sides, which prevents someone from breaking a small pane near the lock and simply reaching through to turn a knob.
It’s worth reading our smart guide to security doors if you’re unsure what locking system suits your door type.
How to secure French doors that open out
Outward-opening French doors present a specific challenge: the hinge pins are on the exterior, which means they can potentially be removed to bypass the lock entirely. The fix is straightforward. Security hinge bolts (also called hinge studs) are fitted to each hinge, so even if the pin is removed, the door stays in the frame. It’s a small addition that closes a real vulnerability.
For these doors, also check that your door frame itself is solid and well-anchored. A strong deadbolt won’t do much if the frame around it gives way under force.
Additional security measures that work alongside your doors
A layered approach to home security always performs better than a single fix. A few additions worth considering:
- Glass break and vibration sensors fitted to the door frame or glass panels can trigger your alarm system the moment someone attempts forced entry. This works well in combination with upgraded locks and screens.
- Smart deadbolts are increasingly popular and can be paired with your existing door handles without changing the look of the door. Over 120,000 smart deadbolts were shipped across Australia in 2025, reflecting how mainstream this technology has become.
- Security bars or metal rods suit heritage-style homes or properties where the door design lends itself to the look. They’re not for every home, but where they fit, they add real resistance.
RAC WA also notes that compliant security doors and window locks may contribute to reduced home insurance premiums, which makes the investment worth considering beyond just the safety benefit alone.
French door security doesn’t have to mean a compromise
The assumption that securing your home means making it look like a fortress is outdated. Modern security products are designed to work with your home’s style, not against it. Whether it’s a Crimsafe screen that keeps the view clear, a discreet laminated glass upgrade, or a flush bolt that nobody notices until it matters, there are options to suit nearly any home.
Clearview Security has been helping Perth homeowners protect their properties for years. We’re the longest-serving licensed Crimsafe manufacturer in Perth and an authorised 3M dealer, so we know what works and what doesn’t. If you’d like to talk through your options, we offer free on-site quotes across the entire Perth metro area.
Get a free quote today and find out how to make your French doors secure without changing anything you love about them.
