Misconceptions about wrought iron gates, iron fencing and security doors

Hi I’m Chris and I’ve been a licensed contractor for the last ten years. I have customers ask me all the time if they need to get thicker iron for their iron gates or security doors and if that would add anymore security to their house. Inquiring about the thickness of the iron is a good question, but that question comes with a yes and a no answer, let me explain.
​
At All Custom Iron all of our iron gates and security doors come standard with 1.25” inch square tubing with a gauge of .065”. But some people think that they need to get larger material so it can be more secure, let me explain a little why that is not totally necessary. Iron gates and security doors that are made out of 1.50” or 2” square tubing by .065” gauge does add strength but it also changes the look of the iron. If you are looking for another way to reinforce your iron security door or iron gate you can have it made out of 1.25”square tubing but upgrade the gauge to .095” or .120” so the walls of the metal tubing get thicker without enlarging in size of the tubing. That way you can increase the strength of your Iron Gate or security door without having to enlarge the physical size of the wrought iron. If you are curious about making your iron security door or iron gate a little stronger, please ask our estimator when we come out for your free estimate. We will always do our best to inform you of your choices so you can make the best decision possible. Please give us a call to set up your free estimate today 702-850-4082.

The world of security has generally existed outside of the world of artistic creation. Usually, when it comes to home security you are making compromises with regards to the way you would like things to look in order to create a situation where you are also safe. You put together a beautiful looking front yard, spending large amounts of money on landscaping and painting in order to make the home look appealing and welcoming, only to ruin the look by installing cameras or fences around it all. Generally, this is the compromise that needs to be made if you are to feel protected and safe within the beautiful home environment you have striven for. This is unfortunate, as the ideal situation would be the integration of security devices and aspects that are equally beautiful as the things you have done for aesthetic purposes alone. 

Styles change over time, and it is a good thing that one of the more recent style developments has been the use of more classic types of architecture. With the advent of Tuscan style homes in particular, the integration of wrought iron as decoration has taken hold among higher end clients, and this style is also being embraced by lower level homes as much as can be within the pricing scope that is offered. Generally, these types of iron embellishments are integrated for pure beauty purposes, and without a large amount of functionality in today's world. An example might be the inclusion of iron widow boxes which were designed for European people to put flowers on the side of apartment buildings in order to brighten their personal spaces. The style of the window boxes being included in today's homes in places like Las Vegas brings iron into the discussion as an ornamental aspect, but an additional functionality can also be explored. Through the use of ornamental aspects within the design of security doors and fences as well as gates, an aspect of beauty can be added to your home while also improving the security features you enjoy. This gives you the ability to add something to your home that actually improves it's appearance while also increasing the secure nature of the home itself. It is a win for both beauty and functionality, and it will increase the curb appeal of your home while also making it far less likely to be broken into.

The way it works is surprisingly simple.
 https://www.allcustomiron.com/customironsecuritydoors.html and gates were used over the centuries because of their ability to withstand far more than wood or glass. They make it far more difficult for someone to enter your space if they are in place. Traditionally, when including an aspect that adds beauty, the security aspects were diminished. Adding glass in order to "open the area up" makes it far easier to break through. Making something look more delicate also makes it easier to breach, but this is not the case with iron. A scroll or basket can be added to any bar without weakening it, as can almost any shape that can be dreamed up. This gives artists the ability to create security doors that are also artistic and beautiful, and which will add to your home instead of taking away from it.

Thing you should know when you go to buy iron security door/sliding screen door!!!

When you go to the big box stores they have a big variety of security doors and screen door. First off screen doors are not security, they are screen doors I don’t know why anybody buys them. They tried to keep the bugs out of your house, but they come with a three-piece frame and no frame on the bottom for a sweep. They are difficult to install there’s gaps around all four sides and typically about an inch and ½” gap at the bottom of that will lead all small rodents in. The standard screen door has a three-quarter inch frame that can be easily bent by hand, they are made in China and they are half welded. The price of a screen door typically runs about $180 that is just for the door that does not include installation or block and not to secure the door. If you want get your screen door installed by the big box stores they will typically charge a range from $120 upwards to $200, that does not even include the lock and knob. Now you need to buy a lock and doorknob for your screen door a decent set will run you $100, after that is all said and done you spent $480, for a piece of crap screen door.

Security doors, the big box stores tend to carry a brand-name security door, these security doors are well-made doors they have a one piece frame with a optional threshold. There security doors are made out of aluminum, the designs are plasma cut tack welded on. The process to order one of those doors begins with going to one of the major fox stores locations picking out the design that you like, their basic designs start $800, then they need the measurement you can provide the measurements for the but if the door is made incorrectly it is your responsibility. They will provide someone come out to your house measure of your door opening for you the price of the contractor coming out to measure your door opening is $120. Now congratulations you have ordered a security door through one major box stores most likely you are going to have a professional installer install the door for you, the price of the installation is $350. Now you have security door installed at your house but you still don’t have a door lock or knob, average price for a lock and knob set is $100. Now you are $1370 into your security door. I think those doors are well made security door I just have two major problems with the doors they provide, my first problem with those security doors is the open seam on the front side of the door they have roughly about a 6 inch plate covers the lock nothing else, so a would be burglar could stick a crowbar inside the seam of that door and pry open pretty easy. Problem number two with the security doors is they bolt from the outside of the doorjamb in to the house so you can see the heads of the boats.
  
I am a licensed contractor I have seen how houses are framed. The framers usually leave 1 inch bigger of a opening for the door side to side and top to bottom, so when the doors get installed in your house they have room to move the doors around to get a correct fit. The biggest problem with the store bought security doors is in the installation. When you hold from the outside of the house inwards more often you are going to bolts into the particleboard which is outside frame. If you don’t know what particleboard is it his sawdust glued together and pressed in a machine, or the security door is bolted into the stucco the bolt will go in to the gap between the door frame and with the house frame so realistically that bolts is to two stucco, sometimes it will catch the framing of the house, that is the biggest downfall for those doors.
​
The security doors that
​ https://www.allcustomiron.com/customironsecuritydoors.html 
​Produces has a one piece frame with a optional threshold. Our security doors are made out of iron, you have the opportunity to decide what size security door frame you would like, our standard door frame starts at 1¼” square tubing. We fully weld the entire security door the tops and bottoms of the pickets we 45° cut the angles on our doors fully weld and buff them clean. We powder coat our iron security doors and the screen separately so the iron gets completely powder coated and you can pick two different colors if you would like we call that two tone. The one major difference that separates us from our big box competitors is leave them out inside the doorjamb with 3 to 4 inch lag bolts, we are guaranteed to hit the king start every time, that makes our iron security door a real security door.

​Are you looking for home security?
Where the most likely place is a brake in going to happen at your house?
 Well according to KTVB 7 they served 86 inmates serving time for burglary, and they all said “I would kick in the door rather than break glass. Loud bangs are better than loud glass breaking, plus you run the risk of getting cut”.
What time of day did they prefer to break in?
Burglars prefer breaking in early morning or afternoon.
“Between 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm. Anyone that was home for lunch should be gone by then and most kids should all still be in school,” wrote a convicted burglar.
 
 So most break ins happen while you are at work so a gun, or home security sign or system will not stop them they said that a home security alarm is not a deal breaker.
They got asked if they knock on the door before breaking in?
They all said “Yes” and they said “Act like I was lost or looking for a friend.”
“I would approach the resident as though they had posted an ad on Craigslist.”
“Say wrong house, sorry and thank you.”
“Ask if they'd seen my dog and leave.”
“Sometimes I would wear nice clothing and print a questionnaire off the Internet and carry a clipboard and see if they could spare a moment for an anonymous survey.”
 
What is the one thing homeowners can do to avoid being burglarized?
 
 “Put bars on your windows and doors, get an alarm, keep an extra car in the driveway, keep lights, TVs and radios on when you leave your home,” read one questionnaire.
   
The first thing they said is “put bars on your windows and door”.
If you are interested in getting a free estimate for a iron security door or Iron security windows for your house. Please give us a call or email 702-850-4082 or allcustomiron@gmail.com    

​Are you looking for some home security with design? All custom iron can make custom iron security doors, security windows and fencing around your property. We make all our ornamental iron by hand in our shop so if you’re looking for a one off custom keys nobody else has you can give us a call and set up your free estimate with our estimator or if you’re just looking to replace some old iron that is rusted away you can do that for you as well. All of our iron is prepped and powder coated to provide you the best possible finish to whether the Las Vegas heat. Our estimator is a salary based employee so if you’re looking for an estimate that is not driven by a percentage and you want to get the best price possible please give us a call@ 702-850-4082 or go to Allcustomiron.com Thank you