Shed Security Hinges

Your shed has a solid, securely-locked door, barred windows and a robust construction, but what about shed security hinges? Perhaps not the first thing to come to mind, but a very real point of potential weakness that can readily be exploited by the determined thief.

The modest garden shed, outhouse, lean-to or shack can contain a wealth of goodies for the determined burglar. A popular target, often people just do not take sufficient steps to make it adequately secure. Even the most basic steps are overlooked. This article addresses just one aspect: shed security hinges.

An experienced burglar knows a door's weaknesses. Many hinges can be bypassed and removed with surprising ease. This then allows complete access.

The Weakness

The usual hinges that will be supplied with a prefabricated shed are often easy for a burglar to remove. If the door opens in an outwards direction, the hinges will be fully visible and easy to reach. It's then a matter of removing the central pins from each hinge, and the door can then be forced open.

Then, no matter how good the lock is, how many additional padlocks you have fitted etc., the door will be completely useless at keeping people out.

If the door opens inwards, then standard hinges are still particularly vulnerable. They are a weak point in the construction, and can be a point at which the door can be forced open.

Shed security hinges, however, are more of a challenge.

Shed Security Hinges

These can come in various types. The amount of added security they will provide depends on the exact type of construction and design.

One type of security hinge is the safety stud hinge. These are made so they fit recessed into spaces carved out of the door and door frame. This adds security in making them less easy to access. These hinges are also known as mortised hinges and have become more common in construction.

With a safety stud hinge, the stud holds the hinge in place more securely when the door is closed. If the hinge pin is removed, the hinge cannot be removed as the stud holds it in place.

Cramped hinges represent another type of security. Here, the design is such that the hinge pin itself cannot be removed. Another type of non-removable hinge pin is achieved when a "setscrew" is used, making the hinges pins inaccessible when the door is closed.

As you can see, the idea behind most shed security hinges is protecting the hinge pin and making it impossible (or hard) to remove, particularly when the door is closed.

Why you should consider shed security hinges

Especially if you have an older shed, it is very worthwhile checking the hinges to make sure that they are not a weak point potentially allowing illegal access.

With burglary from sheds an acute problem and the potential high value of equipment stored in such buildings, homeowners should not overlook this aspect. Shed security hinges are readily available in various forms, and are not expensive.