Are uPVC Windows and Doors Secure? A Comprehensive Guide from Clear Fast Glass
For any homeowner, the security of their property is a top priority. When considering new windows and doors, a fundamental question often arises: are uPVC windows and doors secure? It’s a valid concern, and at Clear Fast Glass, with over 20 years of expertise in supplying and fitting windows and doors across Kent, we’re here to provide a definitive answer. The short answer is a resounding “yes,” but it’s important to understand why and how modern uPVC products offer such robust protection.
As a trusted family-run business, we pride ourselves on offering value-for-money solutions that significantly improve the security, aesthetics, and energy efficiency of your home. Let’s delve into the features that ensure are uPVC windows and doors secure.
The Evolution of uPVC Security
Early generations of uPVC windows and doors might have faced some misconceptions about their security. However, technological advancements in manufacturing and design have transformed them into incredibly formidable barriers against intruders. Today’s uPVC products are engineered with security at their core, incorporating multiple layers of protection to give you complete peace of mind.
Key Security Features of Modern uPVC Windows and Doors
When we at Clear Fast Glass measure, supply, and fit uPVC windows and doors, we ensure they come equipped with a range of advanced security features:
1. Multi-Point Locking Systems
This is perhaps the most significant security enhancement in modern uPVC windows and doors. Instead of a single locking point, these systems incorporate multiple locking points along the frame of the window or door. These typically include:
- Shoot bolts: Rods that extend into the frame at the top and bottom.
- Mushroom cams: Mushroom-shaped components that engage with keep plates.
- Hook bolts: Curved bolts that hook into the frame.
When the handle is turned, all these points engage simultaneously, effectively bonding the sash or door slab to the frame at several strong points. This makes it incredibly difficult for an intruder to prise open the window or door, addressing a key aspect of “are uPVC windows and doors secure?”
2. Reinforced Frames
While uPVC itself is a robust material, modern windows and doors often incorporate steel reinforcement within the uPVC profiles. This internal strengthening makes the frames highly rigid and resistant to forced entry, preventing them from being bent or broken by impact. This added structural integrity is crucial for enhancing overall security.
3. High-Security Hinges and Hardware
The hinges on both windows and doors are critical points for security. Our uPVC installations feature robust, high-security hinges that are designed to withstand significant force. Similarly, handles are often made from strong, resilient materials and incorporate anti-jemmy features. For doors, anti-snap, anti-drill, and anti-pick cylinder locks are standard, providing a crucial layer of protection against common break-in techniques.
4. Internal Glazing Beads
One of the clever design features that contribute to security is internal glazing beads. This means that the glass panes are secured from the inside of the property, making it impossible for an intruder to remove the glass from the outside to gain entry. This seemingly small detail plays a significant role in answering “are uPVC windows and doors secure?”
5. Toughened or Laminated Glass Options
While the frames and locking mechanisms provide the primary defence, the glass itself also contributes to security. For increased protection, options for toughened or laminated glass are available. Toughened glass is designed to shatter into small, blunt pieces upon impact, reducing the risk of injury and acting as a deterrent. Laminated glass, on the other hand, consists of two panes of glass bonded together by an interlayer, which holds the glass together even if it’s broken, preventing a large hole from forming.
Specific uPVC Products and Their Security Features
At Clear Fast Glass, we ensure that every uPVC product we install is designed with your security in mind:
- uPVC Casement Windows & uPVC Flush Windows: These feature multi-point locking systems and strong, internally beaded frames.
- uPVC Tilt & Turn Windows: Offer excellent security due to their unique tilting mechanism, which allows for ventilation without fully opening the window, and robust multi-point locking.
- uPVC Sash Windows: Combine traditional aesthetics with modern security, incorporating strong locking mechanisms and reinforced sashes.
- uPVC Sliding Patio Doors & uPVC French Doors: These are fitted with secure multi-point locking systems, anti-lift devices (for patio doors), and often reinforced interlocks to prevent forced entry.
- uPVC Back Doors & uPVC Front Doors: These are designed with extremely robust multi-point locking, reinforced panels, and high-security cylinder locks to provide maximum protection for your entry points.
- uPVC Stable Doors: While offering a unique split design, they still feature secure locking mechanisms for both halves and when combined.
Beyond the Product: The Importance of Professional Installation
While the quality of the uPVC windows and doors themselves is paramount, their security performance is heavily reliant on professional and precise installation. A poorly fitted window or door, regardless of its features, can become a weak point. Our over 20 years of experience in the industry mean that Clear Fast Glass installers are highly skilled and meticulous, ensuring every product is fitted correctly and securely, maximising its protective capabilities.
The Clear Fast Glass Promise
So, to reiterate, are uPVC windows and doors secure? Absolutely. When manufactured to current standards and professionally installed, they offer exceptional security for your home. At Clear Fast Glass, we are dedicated to being the homeowners’ choice for industry-leading home improvements, focusing on solutions that enhance security, aesthetics, and energy efficiency.
If you’re considering upgrading your windows and doors and want to ensure your home is as secure as possible, contact Clear Fast Glass today. We’re your trusted family-run business in Kent, ready to provide a free quote and demonstrate how our uPVC windows and doors offer robust security and peace of mind.
