3 Window Security Features You Need to Protect Your Home

Wondering whether new windows are worth it for security alone? The research says they are.

An award-winning study of Crime Survey for England and Wales data found that homes combining window locks, door deadlocks and security lighting were up to 49 times better protected against burglary than homes with no security at all. Doors are the most common way in, but windows are still used in roughly a quarter of break-ins.

The good news is that modern windows can be made very hard to get through. Here are the three features that make the biggest difference, and what to ask for when you upgrade.

1. Modern, well-made frames

Old single glazed windows are an easy target. The glass is thin, timber frames can rot or warp, and the locks are often decades out of date. Replacing them with modern double glazing isn't just about keeping the heat in. A good uPVC window is designed with security in mind, from the factory to the fitting.

Look for:

• PAS 24 certification. PAS 24 is the British standard for the security of windows and doors. Certified windows have been tested against the tools and techniques burglars actually use.
• Secured by Design. This is the official police security initiative, and accredited windows have met a high security standard. Our windows can be upgraded to Secured by Design specification, so just ask when you get your quote.
• Internally beaded glazing. The glass is fitted from the inside, so it can't be removed from outside.
• Reinforced, fully welded frames that resist being prised or forced open.
• Anti-jemmy features, such as interlocking frames and hinge-side protection, that make it harder to lever a window open.

Even the best window is only as strong as its installation. A good installer fixes the frame securely into the wall so it can't be forced out in one piece.

2. Security glass

Glass is often seen as the weak point, but the right glass makes a big difference. There are two types of safety glass used in homes, and they work in very different ways.

Toughened glass is heat-treated to make it several times stronger than ordinary glass. If it does break, it shatters into small, blunt pieces rather than sharp shards, which is why it's used where safety matters, such as glazing near floor level and next to doors. Once broken, though, it leaves an open hole, so on its own it isn't the best choice for security.

Laminated glass has a tough plastic interlayer bonded between two sheets of glass. When it's hit, the glass cracks but stays stuck to the interlayer, which makes it very hard to create a hole big enough to reach or climb through. That makes it the better choice where security matters, such as ground-floor windows, windows hidden from the street, and panes close to handles and locks. Laminated glass also helps to reduce noise.

You can combine the two in a single double glazed unit for both safety and security, so ask your installer which glass is being specified for each window.

3. The right locks, handles and restrictors

A strong frame and good glass count for little if the window is easy to open. Features to look for:

• Multi-point locking. Locking points along the frame hold the window tight in several places, not just by the handle.
• Shootbolts. Steel bolts that shoot into the top and bottom of the frame when the handle is locked.
• Key-locking handles. A lockable handle stops an intruder opening the window by breaking the glass and reaching in. Keep the keys out of sight and away from the window.
• Secure ventilation. Some windows can be locked slightly open, so you get fresh air without leaving them vulnerable. Tilt and turn windows are especially good at this: in the tilt position they open inwards at the top by just a few centimetres, far too little for anyone to get through.
• Window restrictors. Restrictors limit how far a window opens, which helps with security and keeps children safe. On upstairs windows that are also fire escape routes, choose restrictors an adult can release quickly in an emergency.

Good habits matter too

The best windows can't help if they're left open. Roughly one in four burglaries involves no forced entry at all, because a door or window was simply left unlocked. Lock your windows when you go out and at night, especially on the ground floor and any window that can be reached from a flat roof, and keep valuables out of sight from outside.

Are your windows letting you down?

If your windows are single glazed, have rotting or warped frames, or have locks that no longer work properly, it's worth getting them checked. For more on what to look for in replacement windows, read our guide to choosing new windows.

Bennbrook Windows is a FENSA-registered installer based in Harlow, fitting secure, high-quality uPVC windows across Essex, Hertfordshire and North and East London. Our windows can be upgraded to Secured by Design specification, and every installation comes with a 10-year insurance-backed guarantee through the IWA.

Explore our windows range or contact us for a free, no-obligation survey and quote. You can also call us on 01279 964009.