Fabricator Focus
Opening the door to enhanced security and aesthetics
With the latest research from Evolution Money discovering 93 % of people pass judgement on a property based on how it looks from the outside , kerb appeal has never been more important .
However , security is just as important , with the latest Neighbourhood Watch Crime and Community Survey identifying 67 % of respondents are worried about becoming a victim of burglary .
As a result , today ’ s homeowners are demanding entrance doors that not only set the standard for aesthetics , but also deliver ultimate levels of protection and peace of mind .
In addition , individuals are looking to streamline their daily routines through the adoption of home automation . Over 50 % of homes in Britain now contain a smart device , and to put that into perspective , it ’ s over 2.2 million households *.
By taking a new approach that explores how to successfully meet consumer demand , fabricators and manufacturers are cleverly utilising connected technologies to design and engineer contemporary entrance doors that deliver unrivalled levels of security and connectivity , without compromising on visual appeal .
One such example is the collaboration between leading composite door manufacturer , Force8 and home security provider ERA to supply high-quality entrance doors manufactured with the latest advancements in connected security .
Force8 ’ s popular Arched Composite Entrance Door is now available with the ERA TouchKey door security solution , which provides keyless residential door access by combining a smarter security door handle , an auto-firing multi-point lock and an anti-bump security cylinder .
Dennis Sumner , Managing Director at Force8 , said : “ We were one of the first fabricators to adopt ERA ’ s auto fire multi-point lock for our composite entrance doors when it was first introduced to the market .
“ We ’ re proud to now be one of the first door manufacturers to offer its innovative TouchKey system , which builds on the auto fire technology to combine the highest standards in security hardware with the latest innovations in home automation . We recently completed a project in the West Midlands where the homeowner chose our Arched Composite Entrance Door with the TouchKey solution . The results of the final installation speak for themselves , delivering real style and protection .”
The only system of its kind to combine five different entry methods into a single door handle , TouchKey facilitates the unlocking of the door via fingerprint access , the ERA Smart Home app , geolocation technology and voice-activated entry . For ultimate peace of mind , TouchKey also contains a hidden manual key override .
Featuring advanced fingerprint technology , up to 50 different fingerprints can be stored directly within the handle to provide users with instant access to the property .
When used with the ERA Smart Home app , TouchKey can be unlocked with a single touch locally , and when using digital e-keys , timed access can be assigned to individuals , such as family and friends , via the app . Voice command can also be utilised via the app to unlock the door on approach .
With geolocation technology , the system authenticates and unlocks via Bluetooth and grants access to the individual once they are within range of the property , without needing to physically use their smartphone .
Whilst the smarter handle is built for endurance and security due to the addition of a forged steel backplate and hardened plates that prevent potential attackers from removing the handle to access the lock , it also delivers on aesthetics .
The sleek , contemporary design is available in Fab & Fix ’ s Hardex Chrome and Hardex Graphite finishes , which are supplied with a 10-year finish guarantee .
To support Force8 in providing homeowners with the highest standards of security , TouchKey has been independently tested to BSI ’ s new Smart Residential Locking Device standard , which was developed in conjunction with ERA and combines the BSI Internet of Things ( IoT ) Kitemark with TS 621 for mechanical security with smart locking . It has also been awarded the Secured by Design ( SBD ) Secure Connected Device accreditation , which has been launched specifically for Internet of Things ( IoT ) connected products .
Kerry Blackford , Senior Category Manager at ERA , said : “ It ’ s fantastic to build on our longstanding partnership with Force8 to meet the increasing customer demand for contemporary composite entrance doors that not only look great , but provide the ultimate standards of security and convenience for UK homeowners .”
www . eraeverywhere . com www . force8 . uk
48 JULY 2023 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM