Upgrading My Workshop Security with a Lathams Steel Door

After 3 years of using my home made workshop door I have now upgraded to a steel door to increase security and reduce noise - watch as I install it start to finish.
Lathams Steel Doors - bit.ly/44jBgZi
🧰 The tools and equipment I use: www.amazon.co.uk/shop/properdiy
Proper DIY Patreon Page: / properdiy
The Amazon links above are affiliate links. It doesn't cost you anything to click on them but I do earn a small commission if you do. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@user-wz3ft3vy4v]

I have zero need for a door like this. I just enjoy watching someone who knows what they are doing.

[@user-xq1xb5en8j]

I have no need for a door like this, but after watching this i want one, ace job

[@user-zn3yc4yd3h]

My husband is a carpenter and has been known to borrow my kitchen knives. Except my knives are new and I am a chef ! To teach him a lesson...I borrowed one of his wood chisels to use as a screw driver😊😊😊. He never borrowed my stuff again !

[@janebutz5375]

Nooooo! You didn’t!

[@qrogueuk]

tools of the each trade are useful lol

[@bobartex1812]

Good for you

[@Anglo-EgyptianMan]

pure evil

[@stephenlukyn2138]

Awesome solution 😢❤

[@Gisburne2000]

I decided to fit a steel security door on my office room to protect my expensive computer equipment. It was all going well until I closed the door, before I'd fitted the door handles, while I was inside. I went absolutely cold, realising I was in a room protected by a door you couldn't break down with a sledge hammer, even if I had one. Somehow (and I don't remember how because I was in a blind panic) I managed to operate the door mechanism and get out, but after that experience I never fully close the door with me on the inside!

[@BandiMasha]

If you need to close a door before fitting handles, then make sure the room that you are in, has all of your tools in it.😮😂

[@ernavill3261]

This is why you should fit the part of the doorhandle that goes through the doorhandle on the inside of the room. (and put it there as soon as you start fitting it). that way, even if the handle comes apart at some point, people inside the room can still get out.

[@DAVID-bv2gv]

just like a Golf 👂🏻

[@Chris-hw4mq]

if any door has a key its pickable in minutes.

[@cyberlizardcouk]

they are actually really well priced. i may consider one of these for my garage.

[@luke.mcconnell]

I'm very pleased with the Lathams door I've had on my workshop for the past 5 years. One thing to note - deal with any sign of stiffness in the locking mechanism promptly. They do need lubrication from time to time.

[@Disposalist]

Any quick notes on the process of lubricating them? Cheers

[@iCONICAACINOCi]

@@Disposalist Not specific to this door, but locks in general you don't want liquid oil in them as dirt gets trapped in the oil. You use dry lubricants like graphite powder.

[@Disposalist]

@@iCONICAACINOCi Yeah I have some of that, I was more wondering how to get in there to lubricate. Which bits to take off, if any, to gain access, etc.

[@lathamssteeldoors]

Hi Luke, Thank you so much for the positive response to our doors, it is much appreciated.

[@markrainford1219]

Same goes for UPVC door mechanisms. People just don't do it, and it's the main cause of failure.

[@bryanhobson1822]

I fitted what is probably an identical door from Latham's to my garage (workshop) about 9 months ago. Really good quality door, would recommend their doors to anyone looking to do this. Also, thanks Stuart for your previous video when you fitted your original door, as I used that to learn how to measure, and cut the bricks to make the opening for the door. Ended up with a really good finish, and that satisfying solid clunk when you close the door just ouzes quality.

[@davesmith6193]

Hi Shaun. My wife and I absolutely love your channel. Been watching for ages(and subscribed). I'm 71. And have been a carpenter all my working life. And thought I knew it all. WRONG!! You are an inspiration mate, with your very soothing voice(Wife's words). Everything is made to look so easy. Now she says "Why don't you make one of those"? And some of them? You are costing me a fortune. We also love your banter when working together with Rag and bone brown. Such great entertainment!! I see you were using an electric nailer/stapler. You appear pleased with that one. I just bought one. It was sh*te. Sent it back. Would you mind telling me the make, and where you got it from, please. Can't wait for a new vlog, So, c'mon. Dave (a narrowboater).

[@kylevanwinkle2081]

Very nice install. And as you said a very well designed door. Nice to watch someone knowledgeable about their craft do quality work

[@mattmmk]

I genuinely find Stuart inspirational. Cool DIY stuff is why I'm here but his passion for making these videos is so apparent and very charming. Fair play to you Stuart!

[@simonlunt353]

As a joiner I have fitted a few doors and frames and that includes pvc 😂 so I was quite impressed with how the frame fits into your opening and the locking into the head nice job sir 👍

[@martinwalton2850]

I’ve just had our garage up and over door replaced with two hinged steel doors from Lathams. I think they look great and are very well made. My wife is not so sure but I think they’re a work of art! 😊

[@graemescott990]

I have fitted a Lathams fire exit steel door and they are an excellent company to deal with and fitting the door couldn't have been easier.

[@MikeSmith-sg9pt]

Well that saves me looking for a supplier for my workshop door! They've thought of every eventuality of the installation. The locking system looks like it would make a pretty decent bank vault!

[@clivewilliams3661]

There are a number of steel external door manufacturers and probably one locally. Its now commonplace for these to be fitted in all industrial buildings in lieu of the old solid cored timber doors that inevitably get a useless bit of steel plate on the face as quasi 'security' that does nothing but strain the hinges. These metal doors are cheap to install as shown here and require no easing after the event or the contractor being called back to fix/replace a timber door that has shrunk or warped. And all this with a finish that won't require painting for years. I have spec'd steel doors for the last 25 years and they can be had with incorporated double glazed panels, my neighbour has one with 4 small glazed panels to the kitchen side door that very neatly complements the aluminium door and screen to the front of the house. This installation has been in place for the last 10 years and looks as good now as it did when it was first fitted.

[@musthavechannel5262]

The color matching is very satisfying.

[@Disposalist]

I got one from Latham for a recent garage conversion, because the door in the middle of the garage was effectively a new 'external' door for my house, even though it was beyond a reasonably secure garage door. Got one very much like yours, Mr ProperDIY. The chippies doing my conversion fitted it, but told me it was a doddle, even though 100kg. Better than your average wooden or UPVC fire/security/soundproof door and no more expensive.

[@utilitarian]

I’ve been looking at these for a while now. My shed door is broken. These look really good and love the spacers on the frame!

[@fq2520]

This is professional DIY 👍🏼

[@realleescoggins]

That door looks very solid!

[@christipler5067]

Lathams have certainly improved their doors and fixing kits from several years ago, another very interesting video Stuart, thank you.

[@ProperDIY]

Absolutely

[@karate-rye9964]

Thanks for all your hard work and videos! I'm a member of Men in sheds Charity in Hornsea, I love your creations, they definitely helped me with my woodworking.

[@legionofanon]

I don't think you mentioned, the door also has anti hinge popping lugs on the hinge side, which prevents popping the home pins and swinging the door open from opposite the handle. This is a really nice door and i now want one lol

[@Guishan_Lingyou]

That windbag looked convenient. I've put in many doors by myself and I always to some wonky balancing act with a pry bar a piece of wood and my foot to lever the door up to the right height.

[@techieboy333]

You beauty, Stuart. I've had one of their doors propped up on the existing pedestrian door of my garage for, I think it will be, 3 years this November after a Black Friday sale of theirs. Haven't summoned up the courage or the strength to tackle the job but will definitely be doing it in the next month or so, now.

[@phil2900]

Great choice. I bought a one and a half leaf door from Lathams. Very good choice. Great service and would well recommend them

[@andyc972]

Brilliant Stuart, what a nice change to find something that is well designed and where some real effort has been made to make thing as smooth as possible for the installer - looks like a great product ! As always you show, a practical and organised way of going about a project like this, btw I totally agree about a bread-knife - should be in every DIY tool-kit !

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@edwardholmes91]

Old, bone handled, butter knifes are handy too, especially where you don't want to scratch a surface. The blades bend nicely and as in this video, free up sealant joints very nicely.

[@shaun30-3-mg9zs]

Solid and safe and secure, looks great good job

[@colsi7228]

Checked out the price of that door and frankly I was amazed at the price. I expected it to be much more expensive than it is, it's really, really affordable! Agree entirely re old Breadknives, very useful in DIY and Gardening especially for removing Dandelion roots 👍 Always enjoy Proper DIY

[@game4alaughman]

Much ?

[@Disposalist]

I'll second that. Having researched wooden and UPVC fire/security/soundproof doors, the Latham one I eventually got was no more expensive than the cheapest alternative and with better specs for fire, security and sound.

[@clivewilliams3661]

These steel doorsets may be about 2x the price of a comparable off the shelf timber doorset but the installation cost is significantly less and builders love fitting them. The advantage for the customer (and builder) is that they don't warp or shrink and require no painting for years.

[@Disposalist]

@@clivewilliams3661 I found, when looking for wooden/PVC doors that were fire/sound proof and secure, the wooden/UPVC cost more, or were similar price, but weren't as high spec. Maybe I just couldn't find them, but I'm usually a pretty good internet purchase researcher.

[@edwardholmes91]

I have to say, I'm very impressed with the quality I've seen in this video and the price is comparable to a highly speced uPVC door. I priced one up out of interest and it came to around £1,500.

[@fishbiscuit2000]

Those wind out lugs are a great idea. Haven't come across them before.

[@Peter-kj5nr]

Thanks for the video - super job of fitting the door - looks lovely!

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you liked it!

[@awantamta]

What a door and expertly installed

[@Jordan_0121]

Lovely addition to the video collection Stuart. That was a great watch!

[@markomoore1419]

Nice job, you made that look so easy

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks 👍

[@del4189]

Great job. Out of interest is that toilet plumbed in, must be a godsend having a loo in the workshop 😃

[@captainpym]

Love how tidy you made the bottom sill fit. Great example of attention to detail. Do it once, do it right.

[@geraldfitzgibbon7428]

Looks almost like a profesinal job Only teasing door looks great. Good job

[@user-gr4sk4jw5q]

very nice door! I like the sound when she closes.

[@CEO786]

Beautiful door, great job. ❤

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you! 😊

[@loum.4377]

Well done! 🏆

[@lrdisco2005]

Brilliant idea, simple but effective

[@andljoy]

That little pump up bag is a fantastic idea !

[@dreddredd7137]

It seems they are also good for car doors .

[@kroneditor9266]

@@dreddredd7137 Not in a good way though :-(

[@dreddredd7137]

@@kroneditor9266 No indeed , only if it is an emergancy .

[@hendersonjp]

Yes I have two for car doors , when people lock their keys inside lol.

[@isyt1]

@@dreddredd7137Well they’re good on American car doors because they’re not allowed to have deadlocks for fire safety reasons like we have in the EU. So in America they can slide a wire in and lift the handle or pull the door lock.

[@c.a.g.1977]

Well done Stuart! The new door surely increases the security greatly. No one can get into ProperDIY headquarters now!

[@vespamorelli7090]

Very well thought out system 👌🏻

[@RFW1979]

Very nice door and you fit it very well. Nice job.

[@karenalefounder4083]

Fantastic looking door. Well installed matey.

[@carllamb6711]

Great job, Stuart lovely end result 😊😊

[@davem4423]

Fantastic video , im doing similar replacing an up & over garage door, plan was to pay someone....now i know how its done, thanks mate , i'm giving it a try now.....wish me luck...

[@artyb27]

I never thought a steel security door would qualify as DIY but wow, you make it look really straightforward. Definitely keeping this video in my bookmarks for when the time comes.

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks for watching!

[@tayred81]

Perfect installation 👍🏻

[@antonyporter5045]

cracking job

[@bradleytuckwell4881]

What a great system

[@jasonmoncrieff7449]

Great job Stuart!

[@johndglynn]

Good looking door nicely installed!

[@paulclarke3274]

I bought the same door from Lathams but I opted for external opening as they are far more difficult to get in, as any external attack is just forcing the door into its frame rather than stressing the Hooply locking mechanism. If you have the room always opt for opening out for a security door. Fantastic video well demonstrated on the fitting

[@nevillewebb2856]

Nice job Stuart 👍

[@pault1289]

Reasonably happy with our Lathams steel doors - it looks like they've improved them a bit. As ours would only take their supplied euro cylinders, which was a pain. And the drip bar on both has corroded. As others have said, you need to stay on top of lubrication with so many bolts, I found graphite powder worked well.

[@janebutz5375]

Stuart, you make everything interesting! I have enjoyed all of your videos on both channels. But you had me from the first broken broom handle!

[@martinhunt6004]

Most splendid Stuart! A great choice of door correct.

[@ProperDIY]

Many thanks!

[@andrewlitchfield4843]

Really nice job! love the adjustable frame.... much better than fitting a Upvc door with loads of packets and junk!👍

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks! 👍

[@PandaKnivesRo]

Looks great! 😀

[@philtebble4390]

Your videos are very high quality now Stuart 👌

[@harddriven1344]

Always have been.

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you like them!

[@harddriven1344]

@@ProperDIY 👍

[@SimT8]

Great video. You make it look so easy. Watched your link and see they also do front doors, which makes more sense than a UPVC door and probably cheaper 👍

[@denisecassels8582]

Fantastic job

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@lee99111]

That is awesome and would make a nice front door

[@TheRealNVT]

Loving your channel

[@christianpetersen1782]

Well done Stuart. A big job for just one person. I don’t suppose Lathams make brooms that the heads don’t fall off!

[@videostarish]

Nice..! I'm a joiner, & have installed MANY doors & door frames/sets, & I too get frustrated with the packers/shims falling out. I recently Google searched for 'adjustable shim' & came-up with this shim-screw called 'Top-star shim screw' I haven't used any, but watching their video, it looked just the ticket ..🤔👍

[@ProperDIY]

Oo they look interesting - I’ve not seen those before

[@XL-5117]

Stuart is the god of DIY! All hail Stuart!!!

[@paultomlinson528]

Struth what a door!

[@300Exige]

Nice vid as always 👍🏻

[@stevenbennett3922]

Proper job!

[@GeordiLaForgery]

Nice work

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@davidclare955]

That's a great door

[@Joe-lb8qn]

Very nice.

[@richardstamper5630]

That was like therapy for me... Scott from SDM Doors fitted mine, all I did was make the coffee but lovely work Stuart.

[@RB-xg2vz]

Great video. This is on my to do list.

[@ProperDIY]

Go for it!

[@ProperDIY]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@bugbuster11]

A wire saw would have cut through the silicone around the door frame in about 5 minutes. They're used to remove car windshields cutting through polyurethane adhesive with ease.

[@ProperDIY]

Who owns a wire saw?

[@stephenmcgeown]

Cool to know about wire saws. I appreciated that info anyway!

[@theglowcloud2215]

@@ProperDIY anyone with 10 quid, I reckon

[@imprezaaudi]

Just fitted same door to my daughter's garage. Straight forward, if but heavy getting door back on the frame.

[@nineteen-sixty-nine9373]

I like it.Easier to install and nice and sturdy.

[@Fester_]

Think about ambulance access if considering using as an only home door. Thanks for the DIY step by step, good job.

[@bikerchrisukk]

I've got a Latham door on an outbuilding used for tool storage, pretty decent and easy enough to fit. Really expensive but I think worth it...a friend said it made it look like a crack den which made me chuckle 😆

[@HanleyCORE]

ANOTHER amazing vid

[@cabottaxi]

Cracking job . Only different thing I would have done would be to fit it opening outwards. The Euro cylinder locks can also be easily snapped as well so I'd be looking to see if it was an anti snap one.

[@typhoontim125]

Fab job

[@johnwayne2103]

Excellent job! In this day and age you need a little more security for your valuables and loved ones. Doors are really only to delay someone, a determined force of Goblins will have the door down in less than 5 minutes. There is a company here in the states that makes high security doors but uses a wooden cover so that even close up you would be hard pressed to tell if the door is a high security door.

[@tomalex4806]

Great installation. For added security I'd install a heavy duty maglock

[@brianwood5220]

Hi Stuart, Fantastic door, nobody's getting through that. In fact it would be easier to take a sledge hammer to that single skin brick wall, than bother with the door. I think your next task should be to put an inner brick skin (with tie rods) within your workshop. It's a good idea for another video.

[@montyzumazoom1337]

Great job and a fine looking door. I just hope the firemen never need to try and get through it to rescue you....!😳 Very well filmed and narrated video.

[@wereweere]

I got a Latham's security door fitted 5 years ago for my steel framed shed. It's been great with the exception of horrible rust and corrosion on the door handle and lock trim. It really spoils the look of the door. I suppose I could replace the handle but I don't really want to have to shell out for a new one every 5 years.

[@-iIIiiiiiIiiiiIIIiiIi-]

Now this is a Husband worth his weight in gold. What a stud.

[@BrodaPaul]

Very nice stu

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@DiHandley]

Very very impressive Stuart. It’s almost like you know what you’re doing! 😂😂. Great work as always. 👍

[@ProperDIY]

I try

[@bill8784]

Brilliant job. Very impressed. Well done.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you very much!

[@olewurtz7625]

A very detailed and informative video as always, that I wish would have been available when I installed my Lantham door 5-6 months ago and was hoping that you’d be installing the friction stay as well. I haven’t fitted it yet. Not quite certain about the exact mounting location in relation to the hinge pivot points.

[@lizzapaolia959]

Outstanding video of yours. Unfortunately your correct in the criminal element. God bless you and your beautiful country 🙏

[@lizzapaolia959]

Hello, we found the doors for sale in the USA. Thank you for sharing this video.. BTW many of the single cylinder European look cylinders are being bypassed by using a thin wire with a loop on the end. The loop engaged with the interior thumb piece. Turning the wire allows the lock to be opened showing no signs of forced entry. Apparently the newer locks are being designed to prevent this bypass. Thank you for sharing your videos 🙏

[@MarcusT86]

Wow, I need this as I’ll be buying this very brand of steel door in future!

[@mrtnsnp]

I noticed that the cilinder is extending a little beyond the cover plate on the outside of the door. This makes it possible to grab the cilinder with a pair of pliers, and break the lock in two parts. Adding a thin extra plate between the cover and the door should prevent this from happening.

[@Chrisc-sn6uh]

Nothing quite like getting a perfect close on a door or window.

[@MercXue]

I love those euro standard doors. Looks way more secure than American doors

[@fumthings]

in Sweden they make those wind out lugs for any wooden doors and windows, you can easily buy them but only in Sweden.

[@williammcilrath9828]

good lookin door STEWert PROPER DIY as usual BILL