Sash window security is one of the most vital ways in which we can improve and protect our homes. Normally sash windows are old, loose, and lack proper security. There are some really basic things we can do to secure our home. First we would look at install a good quality catch. There are two main types of catch which are common and made in masses cheaply. The first is a Fitch Fastener, and the second is a Brighton Fastener. Please do not buy any cheap tacky versions, they simply are not strong enough to withstand break ins. A cheap catch will buckle, bend, or break and expose your home far too easily.
A quality Brighton Fastener will result in the need to break glass to enter the property. They also cannot be popped open easily with a bread knife. Scarily the cheaper versions, not only can be forced open with a bread knife, but can actually be cut in half by one, so poor is the quality of the metal used. In the same way a junior hacksaw is used to cut metal, the bread knife has exact same effects on a cheap catch. The other benefit of the Brighton Fastener is that it will pull the meeting rails tight together so that a knife or instrument cannot be used to easily open your sash windows. A Fitch fastener works in a very similar way however it will not pull rails quite so tight. For this reason alone I will always recommend Brighton Fasteners for improved home security. There is a little trade off here however, because it’s fair to say that a Fitch fastener is superior in aesthetics. The problem is that is not keeping your home safe though.
The next way you’ll keep your home safe is with security pins installed. These are screwed directly through the rails of the sashes and as a result they completely immobilise the travel of the sashes making them the absolute best sash to improve sash window security. Be warned though you will be trapped in the event of fire and that’s ok if you’ve only got single glazed windows you’ll break out no problem, but it won’t be fun climbing through shards of glass. The other thing is if you’ve double glazing the glass will not be so easy to break and you may well be trapped in. When considering this I don’t think that security pins are a favourable option in terms of security.
A much better solution is the security restrictor which can leave a 100mm gap for breeze to travel. This give sufficient ventilation and are far more easily removed in the event of fire. Not only that, they are also incredibly good at keeping the windows secure. Because they have such a large screw mechanism they simply will not budge if a thief forced the lock. This means that the only way entry is assured will be via breaking glass and I am sure you will agree no thief wants to break glass, the plan is to be as inconspicuous as is possible surely? This makes sash window security close to perfect and in fact, this method is supported by insurance companies and in event of a break in, should you not have them, you may not be covered! Please do not hesitate to contact a London Sash Window Repair Company to install these for you. They will happily offer this product as part of a larger sash window repairs or even sash window double glazing service.
That leads me to my final point which is we should be making sure that the trims on our windows are firmly attached as it is far too easy to jus kick a window through as a result of the beadings not being attached properly. If you’re not sure about this then I recommend contacting an expert. However if your DIY competent then you will simply install silicone down both sides of the bead and being careful not to cause the travel of the sashes any issues, you will have enough of a bond from timber bead to frame to ensure that a theif will not be able to compromise your sash window security
