Preparing for Your Security Door Installation: What to Expect
A simple checklist for preparing your home before a security door is installed: clearing the area, securing pets and children, providing access to power, removing the old door if needed, and what to expect on installation day.
Key product notes
- Clear furniture, plants and clutter from both sides of the doorway before the installer arrives.
- Secure pets and keep children away from the work area for safety.
- Provide access to a power point and a clear path to the opening.
- Shire Security Doors and Screens handles old door removal and tidy-up, with most installs done in a single visit on 0410 474 256.
How do you prepare for a security door installation?
Clear the area on both sides of the doorway, secure your pets, and make sure the installer can reach a power point and the opening without obstruction. A little preparation lets the fitter work safely and finish faster, and most security door installs are completed in a single visit. If there is an old door or screen to come off, the installer normally removes it as part of the job.
This guide runs through a short pre-install checklist, then explains what happens on the day, so you know exactly what to expect from the moment the installer arrives to the warranty handover at the end.
- Clear both sides of the doorway
- Secure pets and keep children clear of the work area
- Provide access to a power point and the opening
- Old door removal is usually handled by the installer
Clear the area around the doorway
Before the installer arrives, move furniture, shoe racks, indoor plants, doormats and any clutter away from both sides of the opening. The fitter needs clear space to set down tools, hold the frame in place and swing the door while checking it closes cleanly. Outside, trim back any pot plants or garden growth that crowds the threshold so there is room to work and fix the frame.
A clear approach also protects your belongings. Drilling into brick or timber creates dust, so removing nearby items keeps them clean and out of the way. Allowing roughly a metre of working space on each side of the door is ideal.
- Move furniture, racks and plants from both sides
- Trim back garden growth crowding the threshold
- Allow about a metre of clear space each side
- Removing items keeps them clear of drilling dust
Secure pets and keep children clear
Installation involves an open doorway, power tools and small fixings, so keep pets secured in another room or outside the immediate area for the duration. An open front or back door is an easy escape route for a curious dog or cat, and a busy work zone is no place for animals underfoot. Let the installer know in advance if you have a pet so they can be mindful of the door staying open.
Children should also be kept away from the work area. Offcuts, screws and tools are hazards, and the installer needs to move freely. Planning the install for a time when the doorway can be left clear of family traffic makes the job quicker and safer for everyone.
- Keep pets secured away from the open doorway
- Tell the installer in advance about any pets
- Keep children clear of tools and offcuts
- Plan the install when the doorway can stay clear
Provide access to power and the opening
The installer uses power tools, so a working power point within reach of the doorway is needed, either inside or via an external outlet. If your nearest socket is some distance away, mention it when booking so the fitter brings a longer lead. A clear, unobstructed path from where they park to the doorway also speeds things up, particularly for a larger sliding or stacking door that is awkward to carry.
If access is tight, through a narrow side passage, up stairs, or past a locked gate, let the team know beforehand. Knowing the access in advance means the installer arrives with the right equipment and there are no surprises on the day.
- Ensure a working power point is within reach
- Mention long distances so a longer lead is brought
- Keep a clear path from the vehicle to the opening
- Flag narrow access, stairs or locked gates in advance
Old door removal and what to expect on the day
If you are replacing an existing security door or screen, the installer normally removes and disposes of the old one as part of the job, so you do not need to take it off yourself. On the day, the installer arrives, confirms the opening matches the measure, fits and squares the frame, fixes it securely, then hangs the door and fits and adjusts the locking hardware. Most single-door installs take a few hours.
Before leaving, the fitter checks the door opens, closes and latches cleanly, demonstrates the lock and key operation, and tidies the work area. You then receive the 10-year Prowler Proof full replacement warranty handover and simple aftercare advice on cleaning and lubrication. Any questions, call Steve on 0410 474 256 or email steve@shiredoors.com.au.
- The installer removes and disposes of the old door
- Frame is fitted, squared and fixed, then the door is hung
- Lock and key operation is demonstrated and the area tidied
- You receive the 10-year warranty and aftercare advice
Related services
Related guides
- How to Measure for a Security Door: A Step-by-Step Guide
- How to Choose the Right Colour for Your Security Door
- Prowler Proof ForceField Security Doors and Screens: Complete Product Guide
Frequently asked questions
How do I prepare my home for a security door installation?
Clear furniture, plants and clutter from both sides of the doorway, secure your pets away from the open door, and make sure the installer can reach a power point and the opening. Trim back any garden growth at the threshold and flag tight access in advance so the job runs quickly and safely.
Do I need to remove my old security door first?
No. If you are replacing an existing door or screen, the installer normally removes and disposes of the old one as part of the job, so you do not need to take it off yourself. Just clear the area around it so the fitter has room to work and carry the old door out.
How long does a security door installation take?
Most single hinged or sliding door installs are completed in a few hours during a single visit. Fitting the frame, hanging the door and adjusting the locking takes the bulk of the time. Larger stacking systems or multiple openings take longer, which the installer will confirm when booking.
Do installers need access to power?
Yes. The installer uses power tools, so a working power point within reach of the doorway, inside or outside, is needed. If your nearest socket is some distance away or access is tight, mention it when booking so the fitter arrives with a longer lead and the right equipment.
What happens on security door installation day?
The installer confirms the opening matches the measure, fits and squares the frame, fixes it securely, then hangs the door and adjusts the locking hardware. They check it opens, closes and latches cleanly, demonstrate the lock and key, tidy up, and hand over the 10-year Prowler Proof warranty and aftercare advice.
Should I keep my pets away during the installation?
Yes. The doorway is open for much of the install and power tools and small fixings are in use, so keep pets secured in another room or outside the work area. An open door is an easy escape route, so tell the installer about any pets and keep children clear of tools and offcuts too.
Will there be much mess after the installation?
Drilling into brick or timber creates some dust, but the installer tidies the work area before leaving and takes the old door away. Clearing nearby furniture and belongings beforehand keeps them clean. A quick vacuum or wipe-down of the threshold afterwards is usually all that is needed.