How to Secure Sash & Case Windows | Glaze & Save
October is National Home Security Month: a month long awareness raising programme to help you keep your home safe and secure. National Home Security Month (NHSM) is here to raise awareness around the importance of home security so you can be safe in the knowledge that your home, family and belongings are protected.
National Home Security Month launched with a bang on Monday the 2nd of October, hosting competitions, offers and incentives for homeowners to get the latest home security products. Throughout the month you can find information, advice and guidance here.
We’ve decided to have a look at ways in which you can keep your traditional windows safe and secure without sacrificing aesthetics or heritage.
According to The Crime Prevention Website, if well maintained and properly locked, a traditional sliding box sash window will provide a reasonable level of security.
However, with the exception of smashing the glass, an unlocked traditional sash and case window can be opened in two different ways:
1. Attacking the centre catch
There are two different types of centre catches which are relatively easy to open. A simple pivot catch can be knocked open using a knife between two sashes. A finger screw catch can be knocked clean off of a sash using a screwdriver of slim line chisel. The half moon catch is is more sturdy and less liable to failing the event of a deliberate attack; however it is worth baring in mind that this type of catch is not a lock as it does not have a key operation.
2. Levering the bottom sash
Levering the bottom sash of your window involves using a crow bar or spade to create a vast amount of pressure to lever the window open. Many of the windows that succumb to being forced open with a crow bar tend to be overpainted to the point where the sashes will not close properly. However, well maintained sashes can also be overcome with the use of a spade, which creates an enormous amount of pressure on the sash. This is why it is so important to ensure that wherever you keep your gardening tools (such as a shed or outhouse), is firmly and properly secured to prevent thieves gaining access to the tools that will make their lives easier!
Ensuring you have lockable sash windows is therefore vital for home security. In fact, your insurance likely depends on it, with Page Securitynoting that 90 percent of all insurers require key-operated window locks on all windows accessible from the floor or a flat roof.
Installing a key-operated lock is a relatively simple job for a locksmith to carry out, and there is also a good selection of key operated locks on the market to suit your taste and budget. Most key-operated locks can allow the window to be locked while fully closed, or locked with an open gap of around four inches to allow for extra air circulation without compromising security. Commonly known as sash stops or sash restrictors, these are the best on the market for ensuring window security,particularly since even if the glass of your window is broken, and intruder cannot then manipulate the lock to slide the sash, a common issue with catches.
There are a couple of different key-operated locks available. They may either be auto locking, or manually locking, but both types require a key to open them.
1. Sash Stops
Sash stops prevent the inside lower sash from moving past the outer sash. You also have the option of fitting a sash stop on top of the inner frame to prevent the window from moving entirely, which is a great option for windows you never open. Sash stops can also be fitted higher on the frame to allow air flow. For windows over 600mm Page Securityadvise fitting locks to both sides of the window.
2. Sash Bolts
Sash bolts have a brass casing that is drilled into to lower sash. A bolt is then screwed through the inside lower sash into the outer sash and locked into place with a key. This effectively affixes both sashes together, meaning that they cannot be opened without a key to remove the bolt.
