An Ottawa family unexpectedly fell in love with a new red front door when shopping at a local business. What they didn’t know is that the fateful door would protect them against a home invasion just two years later.
Given how prevalent these attacks have become, we wanted to share little-known facts about the safety features of both old and new windows and doors and tell the uncommon story of the Red Door. We are a 19-year-old family business, and our clients allowed us to share their story—find it below.
Residential and commercial break-ins on the rise
It’s no secret that residential break and enters have become all too common in Ottawa, according to Ottawa Police. And businesses are no exception, either, reports CBC. The police report that break-ins happen via windows and doors, and recommend security boxes and additional perimeter cameras. One of the most common ways thieves get in is by kicking in your front door, prevalent in all of North America.
How to protect your home against a break-in
Beyond the obvious notice to lock all your doors and windows, there is more to the story here. There must be other, more dependable ways to keep your family safe than just getting a lockbox, right?
As a local windows and doors business established in 2006, there’s a glaring neon sign here—what about the windows and doors themselves?
The missing security features in old and new developments
Ottawa has historical properties from the 1800s, contrasted with brand-new developments. Yet the majority of homes are between 50 and 70 years old. These post-war houses are common in our city.
Typically, they feature simple sliding windows and patio doors, and a basic front door. While functional, unfortunately, these installations are not the safest. This is because five, six, seven decades ago, windows and doors were not as technologically advanced as they are now. They just served a purpose.
Unfortunately, this is true for a lot of new developments, too! The builders often choose the cheapest option, like a basic front door at Home Depot. And while it will keep out the rain, it won’t protect against a break-in, especially from sophisticated organized crime thieves. Even a deadbolt can be targeted with the right equipment. Plus, did you know that a regular sliding patio door can be easily lifted off its tracks with just a crowbar?!
So what’s so different about new windows and doors?
This new generation of doors features the latest technology, which means every corner of the door is thief-proof. And it’s steel-on-steel, not steel-on-wood. This distributed force, plus actual steel frame reinforcements, makes the doors basically invincible against vandals. Unless you drive a car at this door, it won’t budge. This is what our clients purchased just two years ago in their new red door. Let’s hear directly from them.
New door saves family from home invasion
Our clients asked to stay anonymous to protect their privacy, but allowed us to share their story. Richard Ashley is our senior salesman.
“When we contacted BUILDMART about replacing the windows of our house, Richard took the time to counsel us and gave us the time to think things over, which allowed us to make solid decisions. One of the suggestions he made was to also replace our old front door, explaining that we would enjoy it every single day.
When we laid eyes on the red Victoria Shaker-style metal door at the Buildmart showroom, we immediately loved it, but the price seemed steep. Richard explained that this was a much higher-quality door than the doors found at big-box hardware stores.
He also suggested we choose a triple-lock system for it, which would increase the security of our home, a feature often chosen by police officers. We went ahead with his suggestion, but mostly we wanted that gorgeous red door!
Less than two years later, we experienced an attempted home invasion during which two men tried to kick our front door down with all their might. The house shook. The door held. Not a dent or scratch on it. We love our red door, and we will always remember how it kept us safe! Thank you, Richard!”
Protect your home from a break-in with new doors
We are so glad our door protected our clients’ safety during this scary time, and we urge Ottawa homeowners to consider the age and safety of their windows and doors.
The harder it is for a thief to break in, the lower your chances of home invasion. And a camera won’t necessarily prevent it from happening in the moment!
Don’t forget your windows
Older sliding windows are not the safest either—casement and awning styles are better. Any new casement or awning window will have a multipoint lock system. STAGE Windows, our largest manufacturer, even offers a corner bracket system. Beyond a multipoint lock along one sash, it goes around the corner, giving a 90-degree connection and even more security. These windows are completely proof against crowbars.
Who is Buildmart Windows & Doorst?
Buildmart Windows & Doors is a 19-year-old family-owned local business, and we’ve helped thousands of Ottawa homeowners replace their windows and doors. Because every family deserves to feel safe in their home, to enjoy more natural light, and to save energy.
Explore our beautiful, secure, and energy-efficient door catalogue here. Not sure what you need? Our sales team, like Richard, will recommend custom solutions tailored to your needs.
