Home Security: Choosing the Best Windows and Doors to keep your Home Safe

The Metropolitan Police state that your home is only as secure as its weakest point of entry, which is why it’s so important to have windows and doors that are as secure as possible. ONS data revealed that in 2022, there was a break-in every 118 seconds across homes in the UK, with offenders gaining entry to the building through a door around 70% of the time and through a window around 30% of the time². Selecting secure windows and doors is one of the most important decisions to make when ensuring that your home is protected against intruders. We explain what to look out for when choosing secure windows and doors for your home.

Choosing PAS24 Tested Products

PAS24 is the standard that a door or window on a new build/dwelling must meet in line with Part Q of Building Regulations, relating to the prevention of unauthorised access.

The tests, which are conducted in a UKAS approved laboratory, use many more tools than a burglar would have. This involves a mechanical onslaught where pistons, chains, and sandbag-style wrecking-balls are used to strike, push and pull the product, imitating a break-in! After this, there is a “physical test” whereby a person is given 15 minutes to force entry, armed with several tools and allowed to attack any part of the product. If they are unable to gain entry in the time limit, the product passes the test as this demonstrates it is secure enough to significantly slow down the burglar.

All Westbury products have passed these tests with flying colours, exceeding British standards when building a garden room or replacing windows and doors on an existing property.

The Importance of High Quality Locks

Although actions such as installing a burglar alarm or CCTV onto your home are good security enhancement measures, locks are one of the most preventative barriers that will stop someone from entering your home.

Good quality locks will physically prevent someone from entering your property whilst you are at home or away, unlike other deterrents, so making sure that locks reach the appropriate British Standard is of utmost importance. Home insurance policies often have specific requirements regarding the types of locks you must have fitted on your doors and windows. Your insurance could be invalidated if you don’t have the correct types of locks fitted, so this is an important consideration.

Another feature of a good locking system is having multiple locking points, as these are much harder to break. These still operate from a single lock mechanism, making it just as easy for you to enter and leave your home, whilst improving the level of security.

Westbury entrance doors feature a multi-point locking system, providing an effective deterrent to potential burglars. Banham Locks are available as an option for our timber front doors. They are a trusted partner of ours, offering locks that are forged in Britain and handcrafted by lock specialists to ensure both security and elegance of design.

Robust Materials and Fixtures

Robust materials make forced entry to your property extremely difficult, so it is important that doors and windows are sturdy and made from high quality components. Most doors and windows are constructed with only a 56mm thickness, whereas ours are crafted with a 68mm thickness to increase the security and thermal performance.

At Westbury, security doesn’t mean compromising on beauty. A door constructed from timber will always have an exclusive look and feel, as well as being a solid and sturdy material. Wood has many natural advantages, including durability and versatility, as well as having a much longer lifespan than other materials such as PVC. The Metropolitan Police suggest that doors are made from solid timber and do not have locks that protrude from the frame. Our timber entrance doors are hung on heavy duty butt hinges and have a multi-point locking system to ensure we meet the highest security standards.

Our secure windows are made from premium grade, knot-free engineered timber called Accoya®, and European Redwood. Accoya® is a sustainable wood that is laminated to provide excellent stability for a robust frame. Westbury windows also feature laminated or tempered safety glass and top-quality fixtures that resist any efforts of forced entry.

Visual Appearance

An entrance door that looks secure is much less likely to be subject to a break-in attempt, according to The Metropolitan Police. Doors and windows that look difficult to break in to will provide an effective deterrence, showing that your home is well protected. Westbury can provide aesthetically integrated doors that still look secure, delivering both form and function.

Investing in secure windows and doors is essential for protecting your home whilst you’re away, helping you to feel more confident leaving your home unattended. We invest in our products to ensure they are of excellent quality, continually developing our timber windows and doors to guarantee they meet our rigorous performance standards, providing you with peace of mind. For help making your home more secure, take a look at our windows and doors, or request a quote by emailing us at info@westburywj.com.