O nome do livro é Sem trégua com o Terra por Phillip E . Alto.
(Crédito: @sueelleker )
Um resumo pode ser encontrado aqui :
This novel begins with a scientist returning to his home only to find it impregnable -- apparently occupied by some strange being, quickly identified as an alien. These aliens seem to be metallic in nature, and to use electricity as a motivating force. They also seem all-powerful, capable of vaporizing attackers. They come in many rather terrifying forms. Soon all of England, and by extension the world, is under threat.
The scientist and a couple of friends, however, are able to analyze the aliens' means of transport, some sort of interdimensional warp gate. They copy the technology and by hit or miss open a gate to yet another planet. Their main thought is to hope at best for a lucky solution to the invader problem, or at least possibly to use this new planet as a refuge. This planet is at a low-tech developmental state, but it is also being monitored by some very advanced aliens, who soon detect the humans. These aliens make contact with the humans, and quickly offer their help.
Meanwhile, back on Earth the battle against the electronic invaders is going poorly. Even nuclear weapons are useless. But the new aliens do have some ideas ...
Aqui está uma amostra dos estágios iniciais do livro em si, mostrando como a história se desenvolve conforme descrito nos primeiros parágrafos do OP:
Lipscombe turned the car off the road and pulled up in the short drive leading to the garage. [...] He inserted his key in the lock and turned. "Funny!" He pushed slightly at the door and turned the key again.
Lipscombe said, "The door won't open." He turned the key again, frowning. "Damn funny." He made three more attempts, then walked quickly across the small lawn and peered through the window. "Strange, can't see a thing; looks as if the pane has been blacked on the inside. Hold on, I'll try the back."
He returned some seconds later, scowling. "Back door won't open either and I've tried the spare key."
[...]
A police car containing one constable and a sharp faced individual with a tool box arrived within ten minutes.
The constable first satisfied himself as to Lipscombe's ownership of the property then permitted the locksmith to attack the door.
[...]
"This is strange." Collard was bending down studying the door. "This resembles no plastic I know."
"What!" Lipscombe was shaken; Collard was a specialist in plastics.
[...]
At the end of the week an army of experts equipped with drills, torches, a power-ram and even a small bulldozer had retired defeated. But the house had aroused other interest: experts measuring the surface reported that the structure did not conform to the plans provided by the local surveyor. Further checks showed that, slowly but surely, the house was changing shape.
[...]
One night, during their absence, and close to the front door, something grew. The scientists, after long conference, decided it was a plant but it didn't look like a plant.
[...]
Two days later there was another growth. This was a small brass colored sphere about the size of a walnut perched on the top of a thin black rod about two feet in height.