No-one likes to think about the worst-case scenario when it comes to the safety of our homes, but as the old saying goes, forewarned is forearmed. There are things we can do in and around the home to reduce the chances of being burgled by deterring potential break-ins, and making our properties secure so if an attempt is made, it’s less likely to be successful. With a home burglary happening every 106 seconds in the UK, we understand that security is high on the agenda when looking to buy new windows and doors.
Aluminium is a great material for secure home improvement products because of its inherent strength, but let’s take a closer look into why it’s a good option for windows and doors and consider some of the things you should look out for when doing your research.
How does aluminium compare to other materials when it comes to security?
The strength of aluminium as a building material is among the best which is one of the reasons why it is often favoured over PVC-U in large commercial projects. As a result of the material’s inherent strength, window or door frames are unlikely to crack or dislodge if hit with a blunt object. It is also very difficult to cut into, which makes it much harder for any potential burglars to access the panes of glass inside the window or door, to dislodge them.
Aluminium is also not affected by temperature in the way that PVC-U and timber are, so it won’t flex, contract, warp, or expand in the more extreme hot and cold weather conditions we are now experiencing in the UK. This stability and structural integrity ensure strong and durable windows and doors for the long term, making aluminium an excellent investment for the future too.
Is every aluminium window and door secure?
Unfortunately, no. While aluminium might be considered the strongest material for window and door frames, there are other factors that affect security. The glazing, hardware, and locks that are used in the manufacture of windows and doors all have an important part to play. Different combinations might be equally secure but some of the things you might want to ask about are whether your new home improvement products will be double or triple glazed, whether they will use tempered or laminated glass, and whether they will feature mortice deadlocks, a multi-point locking system, or a Euro-cylinder lock. If you would like to delve a little deeper, the Master Locksmiths Association offer a fantastic guide to the different locks available and their advantages and disadvantages.
How do I know if I’m buying secure products?
While some people revel in researching technical details, we understand that others want the reassurance of knowing whether a finished window or door is secure at first glance. One of the things you can look out for is a PAS 24 certification – an industry testing standard that measures the security performance of windows and doors to ensure they can resist a level of attack from an opportunistic burglar.
Secured by Design (SBD) approval is something else some windows and doors attain to prove a level of security. Windows, doors, and locks that meet high standards for security are given SBD, which means they are accepted by the official police security initiative that provides a recognised standard for all security products that can deter and reduce crime.
Find a trusted supplier
If you have sourced a reputable local supplier of aluminium windows and doors, the chances are you have found an excellent, secure option for your home. However, do compare the offering with other local suppliers. If one is significantly cheaper than another, it might be worth questioning how they can afford to offer such competitive prices.
We have tried to simplify the process of searching for a supplier by publishing a list of Reynaers at Home partners. Feel free to use our locator tool to find a supplier near you and move a step closer to your safe and secure home.
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