What You Need To Know
- Privacy is essential in any shared living setting, which is why door chains are so useful
- A door chain can be an easily-installed (and removed) way to boost privacy in shared living
- Property owners should install door chains on communal living space areas, like bedrooms
- The presence of a door chain builds trust with tenants and also reduces privacy concerns
- The use of a door security chain can ensure private spaces remain secured and safe
Shared accommodation is one of the most common living conditions in the UK today, with around 80% of adults having lived with housemates at some point in their lives. Ask anyone who has lived in a shared space, though, and they’ll tell you one thing they wish they had: door chains. Why?
Well, as good as communal living can be, privacy can become a premium feature. Whether it’s over-eager housemates wanting to share gossip or ask you something, or nosy residents looking through your stuff, privacy can become hard to achieve – or sustain – when you need it most.
Door chains remain one of the most cost-effective and user-friendly ways to boost privacy. That’s why, in this guide, we’ll give you the insight of professional door security experts at Locks & Hardware. Get an insight from professionals in door protection about why door chains are such a great investment.
Shared Accommodation & The Need For Privacy
Anyone who has lived in a shared accommodation setting knows how hard it is to get your own space. Picture the scenario: you come home from a busy day of working and/or studying. You sit down in your bedroom and just want to chill out and do your own thing. You close your door, expecting privacy.
But no. Your housemate appears to want to ask you to come to the pub. Or lend them something. Or even just to talk to you about whatever is on their mind. While it’s always nice to converse with others, it does mean that you are far less likely to get the privacy and moment of peace that you had craved.
That’s where door chains come in. By installing a door chain, you can make sure that:
- Nobody can walk into your room without you permitting them to come in
- Other housemates cannot enter your room, reducing the risk of property theft
- You can feel safe when you need a moment to yourself without disturbances
If you are a resident living in shared accommodation, consider asking your landlord to install a lockable door chain. You can usually manage the installation yourself, and can even offer to remove the chain before you move out. If you are a landlord, consider installations in all private living areas.
Why Door Chains Are Perfect For Shared Houses & Accommodation
Whether it’s in a house of multiple occupancy or student accommodation, a chained door can be an invaluable feature to have. Shared accommodations need to have simple yet effective ways to create privacy when others will not take the hint. So, how does a chained door achieve this system?
Easy Fitting & Installation
The main benefit of having a lockable door chain is that it can be fitted without any issues. You do not need to be a DIY expert to install a door chain. In fact, you get chains that are fitted in place with adhesive, making sure you don’t have to drill, hammer or saw anything!
Even for door chains installed with screws, though, all you really need is a drill, screwdriver and a marking tool so you can ensure both the chain and the latch it locks onto are level with one another. That ease of installation makes it ideal for both landlords and residents looking for simple, easy privacy.
Stops Unwanted Guests Entering
If you want to get some peace and quiet – to study, read, do your own thing, enjoy whatever hobbies you have, or even just sleep for a little while – door chains make that much easier to guarantee. Why?
Well, you can engage the chain as soon as you are on your side of the door. Once the chain is in place, nobody can simply walk into the room. If they try to open the door, the chain will engage; instead, the door now only opens a few short inches. Enough to ask you if you want some company, but not enough to open the door or disengage the latch.
That helps you to get the privacy you want to do whatever it is you need to do. When your door security chain is on, others in the building will know fine well that this means you do not want to be disturbed.
Improves Trust With Other Residents
Another benefit of having door chains on every private area is that you can build better trust and rapport with your housemates. If you have a chained door – especially one you can lock from the outside – then people cannot walk into your room at any time. That means less risk of belongings going missing.
Sometimes, building trust is simply a case of removing opportunity. If you can easily set boundaries so people cannot just walk into your living space, it’s much easier to build trust with one another now that the temptation to steal has essentially been removed.
Stops Embarrassing Situations
Another lasting benefit of having door chains on key rooms is that they can stop embarrassing situations. Think about someone walking in on you when you are using the bathroom, or when you are getting dressed. By fitting a lockable door chain, you can quickly ensure that a room is noted as engaged until you are finished, avoiding any unwanted walk-ins or embarrassing moments – for you and others.
Door Chains: Making Shared Living Spaces Safer
While most people who live together have some form of relationship and harmony, it’s always important to keep yourself – and your belongings – safe. The best way to do that is by fitting door chains.
Turn any doubts you have about shared living around by having an easy way to lock your door. This goes beyond just your own door, though; it also means securing shared spaces where privacy is key, such as the bathroom.
Whether you own a residential shared property or live in one, fitting door chains on all bedrooms and bathrooms is a great place to start. The safety benefits are clear, as is the improved level of privacy you wouldn’t get on your own. Make shared living safer with the simple addition of a door chain!
