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Windows need Good Security too

16 July 2009

External doors are usually the first openings to a home that we secure with barriers because they are the most obvious point of entry for housebreakers. We need to secure windows too, however, because these are often easier to break through, especially when secured with old fashioned burglar guards that can be bent or kicked out.

Roll-a-Fold, Trellidor's Margate franchisees, suggests the following points to make sure you secure your windows properly against home invaders:

Secure all your home's windows, even tiny ones or those that seem impossibly high up. It's amazing how innovative criminals can be when they are determined to get into your home.
Don't only secure windows that open. Sophisticated criminals have the tools to cut out fixed window panes with very little noise, so secure these too. Insurance companies are starting to insist on this, so be ahead of this requirement and save in the long run.
Custom made security for windows is preferable to ‘off-the-shelf' burglar guards as they are made to fit the actual window opening, increasing their strength and integrity.
Never allow the spaces between window bars to exceed 280mm by 230mm as this is the maximum allowed by insurance companies. The spaces can be made smaller than this, but never bigger.
Replace old-style burglar guards that are attached to the window frame and can easily be bent inwards at the bottom of the window. Even if the burglar guards are screwed into the wooden frame, they can be kicked out, damaging the wood and making repairs difficult and costly. Aluminium window frames often have pop riveted burglar guards that are simply pushed out to gain access.
Newer brands such as Trellidor's Cottage Guard are manufactured from rectangular extruded aluminium with a reinforced steel bar through the centre. They are fully framed burglar guards that are bolted into the substrate on all four sides of the window with coach screws, and are far more difficult to break through.
Trellidor makes its trellis-style security barriers for windows too, and can match these to your security gates. The barriers can be fixed or retractable and we can fit them to curved windows or angled.
Good guarantees and after sales service are important with housebreaking on the increase. Trellidor offers all customers dependable back-up after installations are complete.
Make sure you fit at least one window with sliding barriers that can be opened for escape in case of emergency. This is critical when criminals break in and you can't get out through external doors, or in the case of fire.