Blog Post

Window security

Simon Gabriel • May 02, 2016

Window locks, window bolts and more

Good window security

Window security, just as important as door security.

Seems fairly obvious that these can be used to gain access by burglars but often windows are sorely overlooked. Houses in cities especially houses in London and Greater London have windows that are fairly accessible. Whether this be straight via the ground floor, a nearby shrub/tree or even a solid drain pipe. Windows will often be below street level in central London, making it even easier to drop below, even break a basic latch open and no one can see. On the outskirts burglars have more time, less people passing by and if they notice a weakness they are known to make a mental note and come back at a later date.

We have been on jobs before and the client has had fantastic high security locks on their front doors, all the bells and whistles. This makes our job, and the burglars job somewhat harder, however after 3 minutes observing the property we find easy to access windows. These can be the highly popular sash windows with lead weights in the frame. These slide open upwards and the top window can often be slid down (provided the windows are balanced properly). Outwards opening wood windows can also be risky depending on the locking mechanism set on it. All locks (Key operated of course) that are operated from the inside of the home are good. This makes it much harder not only to open the lock, but just to get near it, most burglars wont risk a broken window.

Sash windows are very popular windows, they look good and they can be set to stay open at different levels - provided you have the right locks. On most Sash windows, especially the older wood, single glaze ones and even some double glazed, there is a simple latch on top of the lower window. This is a sash fastener, sash fasteners are operated by simply sliding a bit of aluminum make sure that the bottom and top window cannot be moved from the outside - or do they?
If there is any gap between the two windows, even if there is a weather seal between the gap, this offers direct access to the small sash fastener from the outside. Flat head screwdriver between the windows and that's it.
On sash windows it always best to install bolts, ones that fix into the frame provide the best type of security, key operated bolts are even better. This insures that there is absolutely no access from outside to these bolts
If you have one on each side of the window going into the frame, you can add more holes thus ensuring that even with the window slightly open it cannot be forced.

For any security, window security, window bolts and window lock installations why not give us a call, for the nearest Locksmith check - http://www.smslocksmith.co.uk/locksmith-near-me

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