Connecting door to garage

[dirtystinkyrats]

We have an attached garage with connecting door into the kitchen. Currently its a really thin 1980s door that could probably be kicked down with very little effort. Im thinking we need a better door as the garage door itself isn't that secure (although its full of rubbish so not a big problem) but do we need to go for an exterior quality door or a new internal door with a good lock? What have other people got?? Thanks.

We got a steel door put in - lot more bolts between the door and frame.

Something likes these

www.lathamssteeldoors.co.uk

There should be a step up and over between a garage and the house (in case the car drops petrol all over the floor i guess) and I'm also fairly sure it should be self closing (but double check with a grown-up)

Fit a fire door - especially if the garage is full of rubbish.

It must be a fire door (it probably needs a new door lining (frame) as well, sealed with pink fire foam), and fitted with intumescent furry strip. This will also cut draughts and noise.

Additionally, it is very easy to break in through a garage vehicle door. Anyone who does that can work, out of sight and earshot, on a connecting door, probably with the help of various tools in the garage. So the door needs a good BS lock plus key-operated bolts top and bottom. You can get a lock suited to your back door lock if you like, to reduce the number of keys you need to carry. My garage is linked to the burglar and smoke alarms of the house. Garages often contain petrol in cars, lawn mowers or cans, and also paint, oil and cleaning products which are very flammable.

if the communicating door opens into the garage, it is harder for an intruder to kick or barge it open, so they will need to jemmy it open with a spade or something. Fire doors are thicker and more solid than ordinary internal doors, as are their hinges.

Personally, I’d hate a door from the kitchen to the garage. I’d rather have one less door in the kitchen and make use of the space.

We had one coming from the hall to the garage in our last house but that didn’t compromise the kitchen. It was a self closing fire door. If you can get it, I would have a side door into the garage from the outside.