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Door & Window Locks That Actually Stop Break-Ins
Winter brings shorter days, earlier nightfall, and for many households, school holidays that leave a home empty for stretches at a time. It's a predictable seasonal pattern, and it's exactly the combination that gives opportunistic intruders more cover and more opportunity. Closing the gaps doesn't require a renovation. In most homes it comes down to whether the hardware on a handful of doors and windows is actually doing the job it was designed for.
Why Break-Ins Rise Over Winter
Break-ins tend to rise over winter because shorter daylight hours give intruders more cover during hours when homes are still occupied by day but dark by late afternoon, and school holidays mean more properties sit empty for longer stretches. Locksmiths and security assessors report that most of these break-ins exploit hardware that was never designed to resist forced entry in the first place, rather than defeating a genuinely secure lock.
Where Most Home Break-Ins Actually Happen
Most residential break-ins in Australia occur through sliding doors and windows fitted with only the factory latch, followed by external doors with no separate deadlock, and finally windows left unlocked or poorly latched at the rear of the property.
Sliding doors and windows are the most common point of entry. Many are still fitted with nothing more than the factory latch, which can be lifted off its track or forced with minimal effort. A dedicated sliding door lock or window lock closes this gap and is one of the more affordable upgrades available.
External doors without a separate deadlock are the next most common weakness. A handle's built-in snib lock is not designed to resist forced entry on its own. Fitting a deadlock or night latch alongside the existing handle adds a second, independent barrier.
Unlocked or poorly latched windows, particularly at the rear of the property or in bathrooms and ground-floor bedrooms, round out the list. A keyed window lock secures a window even when it's propped open slightly for airflow, which matters given ventilation is still wanted through most of the Australian winter.
Security screens and doors add a strong layer of deterrence, but only when fitted with hardware that meets the Australian Standard for the category. A screen door with a decorative frame and a basic latch offers very little real resistance.
Understanding AS4145.2 for Security Doors
AS4145.2 is the Australian Standard covering locksets for security doors, and it's the benchmark that separates a genuinely tested security door from a flyscreen-style door marketed with the word "security" in its name. A decorative security-style frame can look identical to a certified one while offering none of the forced-entry resistance the name implies. When comparing screen door locks, look for an explicit reference to AS4145.2 on the product listing. That's the clearest signal the lock has been independently tested rather than simply marketed as "security."
AS4145.2 covers the lockset itself, not the whole security door or screen. A separate group of standards governs the door or grille as a complete product. What was formerly known as AS5039 (design and performance) and AS5040 (installation) has recently been updated: AS5039.1:2023 now covers classification and performance, and AS5039.2:2024 now covers installation, superseding the older 2008 and 2003 versions. If a full security screen door or window grille is being purchased or installed, not just a lock, confirm with the supplier which version of the standard the product and installation are certified against. A compliant lock fitted to a non-compliant frame still leaves a real weak point.
Deadlocks and Home Insurance
Whether a deadlock is required depends on the specific insurer and policy, not a single national rule. Many Australian insurers include an "adequate security" condition in their Product Disclosure Statement, and some name deadlocks on external doors specifically as a requirement for an unauthorised-entry claim to be paid in full. A short call to your insurer before winter sets in is a far cheaper conversation to have than one after a claim is knocked back.
Single Cylinder vs Double Cylinder Deadlocks
For most Australian homes, a single cylinder deadlock (key outside, thumb-turn or lever inside) offers the better balance of security and safe exit in an emergency. Double cylinder deadlocks require a key to open from both sides and offer stronger resistance to forced entry, but they come with a real trade-off: if a key isn't kept close to the door at all times, they can slow down a fast exit during a fire or other emergency.
"It's one of the questions our team gets asked most, especially heading into winter when people are thinking about security," says Khash Rahim, Marketing Manager at Keeler Hardware. "For most homes we point people toward a single cylinder deadlock, because it means nobody's ever caught inside without a key during an emergency. Double cylinder has its place, but only if you're genuinely going to keep a key by the door every single time."
If a double cylinder lock is preferred for a particular door, keep a key on a hook nearby and make sure everyone in the household knows where it is. Or Opt for a double cylinder lock that has a “safety release” function which automatically unlocks the internal knob upon entry minimising the risk of being locked in. One aspect of double cylinder locks that people often get wrong is that locking the internal knob makes it harder to break in from the outside. This would only be the case if there is a glass pane within arm's reach of the lock’s internal knob. Locking the internal knob is only recommended when everybody is leaving the property, not when anyone is home.
Before You Buy: What to Check First
Before ordering hardware, confirm the door or window material: aluminium, timber, or uPVC, since this determines which lock will actually fit. Check whether existing doors already have provision for a deadlock or whether new drilling will be required, and if a security screen door is being installed or upgraded, confirm the lock's AS4145.2 rating before purchase rather than relying on the word "security" in a product name alone.
Window Security: Matching the Lock to the Window Type
Window locks aren't one-size-fits-all. The right hardware depends on how the window opens. Sliding windows need a lock that secures the two panels together, preventing the window from being forced along its track: a dedicated sliding window lock is built for this rather than relying on the factory catch. Sash windows, common in older and period homes, need a sash lock designed for that vertical sliding action, or a multibolt type of lock. Casement and awning windows, which open on a hinge, are usually secured with a keyed window fastener rather than a sliding-style lock.
Window security isn't only about keeping intruders out. Fall prevention is a separate but equally important consideration, particularly for upper-storey windows, bathrooms, and children's bedrooms.
A window restrictor limits how far a window can open, allowing airflow while preventing a child from climbing through or falling. This is worth fitting even on windows where burglary risk is low, since the safety benefit stands on its own.
It is essential to check local legislation and strata by-laws before installing window safety hardware. In many Australian states, the National Construction Code (NCC) and state-specific regulations mandate the use of window restrictors or safety screens for certain upper-storey windows in residential buildings to prevent falls.
Furthermore, if you live in a strata-titled property, the window frames are often considered common property. This means there may be specific by-laws or approval processes required before you can install permanent hardware.
We strongly advise readers to consult with their local council, owners corporation, or building manager to ensure any upgrades are fully compliant with local safety standards and property rules.
Key Terms Explained
Deadlock
- General category: Broad term used in Australia for any lock that has a latch or bolt that once thrown can not be pushed back by simply applying force to it. Once thrown, the bolt or latch can only be retracted by the use of a key or thumb-turn
Deadbolt
- Operation: Requires manual action (a key or an interior thumb-turn) to slide the solid metal bolt back and forth.
- Design: It does not feature a self-latching spring. The door must be pulled completely closed before you can physically turn the key or knob to project the bolt into the door jamb.
- Usage: Commonly installed alongside a standard door handle or passage set.
Deadlatch
- Operation: Features a self-latching tongue that automatically locks into the frame when you close the door, removing the risk of forgetting to lock up.
- Design: It uses a main spring bolt and a small side plunger (the deadlatch pin) to stop the bolt from being pushed open with a card or tool
- Famous Example: The iconic Lockwood 001 automatic deadlatch is the quintessential style found on Australian residential front doors.
- Single Cylinder Lock: Operated by a key from the outside and a thumb-turn or lever from the inside, allowing fast exit without a key.
- Double Cylinder Lock: Requires a key to operate from both the inside and the outside, offering stronger resistance to forced entry but requiring a key kept accessible for safe exit in an emergency.
- AS4145.2: The Australian Standard covering locksets for security doors, used to test whether a security screen door's lock can genuinely resist forced entry. It's separate from AS5039.1:2023 and AS5039.2:2024, which cover the design and installation of the door or screen itself.
- Window Restrictor: A device that limits how far a window can open, allowing ventilation while still preventing full access.
Work with Keeler Hardware for All Your Home Security Needs
Keeler Hardware is one of Australia's leading suppliers of door and window security hardware, stocking trusted brands including Lockwood, Whitco, Austral, Gainsborough, and Carbine. Our team has years of experience helping Australian homeowners and tradespeople choose the right hardware for the job, from a single replacement deadlock to a full property security upgrade. Browse our locks and accessories, window hardware, and sliding and folding door hardware ranges online, or get in touch with one of our knowledgeable staff for tailored advice on which brand and product best suits your doors and windows. Call us on 1300 533 500, or leave your details on our online enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
This guide is general information and is not a substitute for advice from a licensed locksmith, security professional, or your insurer.