EN 1627 gives buyers a shared language for burglar resistance — but most projects only ever choose between three classes: RC2, RC3 and RC4. Picking the right one is a cost decision as much as a security decision. Here is how the three grades differ in practice, and how to match them to real projects.
What Each Class Actually Resists
- RC2 — an opportunist with screwdriver, pliers and wedges; the door must hold about 3 minutes. The baseline for apartments and low-risk residential.
- RC3 — an experienced burglar who adds a crowbar; about 5 minutes of resistance. The sweet spot for villas, ground-floor homes and townhouses.
- RC4 — a prepared attacker with saw, hammer, axe and cordless drill; about 10 minutes. Specified for high-value residential, light commercial and institutional entries.
The Cost Curve Is Not Linear
Each step up adds reinforcement — thicker cores, more locking points, stronger frames and tested cylinders — so weight and cost climb faster than the class number. Over-specifying RC4 across a whole residential project wastes budget; under-specifying RC2 on an exposed villa invites claims. Match the class to the opening's real exposure, not to a blanket rule.
How to Decide, Opening by Opening
- Apartment entrance inside a secured lobby → RC2 is usually sufficient
- Villa, townhouse or any ground-floor street-facing entrance → RC3
- Penthouse, executive residence, bank, server room, pharmacy → RC4 or above
- Check local code and insurer requirements first — some markets mandate a minimum class
Ask for the Test Report, Not the Claim
An RC class is only real if the whole doorset — leaf, frame, hinges, lock and cylinder — passed the test together. Ask the manufacturer for the EN 1627 test certificate and confirm the tested configuration matches what you are ordering. WONLY doors are engineered to China's GB 17565 Class A (the highest grade) and tested for forced entry, with 16-bolt four-edge locking and a patented anti-drill cylindrical core; full test documentation is available for export projects.
FAQ
Is RC3 enough for a villa? For most residential risk profiles, yes — RC3 is the standard recommendation for street-facing homes. Escalate to RC4 for high-value contents or isolated locations.
Can I mix classes across one project? Yes — and you should. Specify by exposure: RC2 for protected interior entrances, RC3 for perimeter units, RC4 for critical rooms.
