Green Building Forum - Window locks

Window locks

tony — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 09:55:51 +0000

What is the point of having a locking window handle on say a uPVC or other multipoint window mechanism?

If the burglar is already in the house I can’t see any point and if outside what difference is there between a locking handle and one that doesn’t lock?

Window locks

owlman — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 14:11:04 +0000

Most insurance companies specify window locks on their questionnaire, and although that doesn't answer your question it gives an illusion of security. Breaking 2g or 3G glass is not what most opportunist thieves do so I guess we're left with preventing egress, possibly kids? or my dog, who can open doors.
I once had an outbuilding broken into, it had recycled bog standard wooden windows 2G, outward opening casements with locking handles. They had forced a screwdriver into the rebate just under the handle and clouted it with a hammer and the the cheap handle just gave way and the window prised open.

Window locks

revor — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 14:30:19 +0000

I get a draught coming through the keyhole in strong winds even with key in but pvc electricians tape over hole solved the problem. My windows are the most disappointing thing about our build I should have spent more time researching.

Window locks

tony — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 15:30:30 +0000

I also worry about egress in the event of smoke, fire or emergency — the last thing you would want to do would be to have to find a key

Window locks

djh — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 20:16:47 +0000

Posted By: revorI get a draught coming through the keyhole in strong winds even with key in but pvc electricians tape over hole solved the problem.

There's normally a seal outside the multi-point hardware as well as another one or two inside, I think. So there shouldn't be much of a draught?

Window locks

Cliff Pope — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 09:12:19 +0000

I think the point is that a burglar's first concern after gaining entry is to secure a quick means of retreat in case of surprise.

Window locks

Rex — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 13:54:45 +0000

Have often wondered this myself.

As it happens, I fitted GRP framed windows by a Danish company called Pro-Tec, unfortunately, no longer in business.

I was taken by the fact that they did not have a handle operated multi-point locking system. I have just two lever latches on each window that latch into a metal plate on the frame. Definite not locking; so easy egress if needed.

On insurance, I have to check the 'no window lock' box and have no idea how that affects the premium.

As for a burglar wanting a quick exit, my guess is they would use the door.

Window locks

tony — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 20:18:24 +0000

I agree

Window locks

Cliff Pope — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 10:12:43 +0000

Posted By: Rex
As for a burglar wanting a quick exit, my guess is they would use the door.

The doors are well protected and locked, so they smash a small window at the back, and climb in. The first thing they want to do is to open a larger window, both to carry things or to get out in a hurry. Even with window locks most people conveniently leave the keys lying on the sill.

Window locks

Artiglio — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 16:35:54 +0000

When i was first burgled, ( early 90’s) , the miscreant had entered through a rear window, then internally locked the front door, the idea being that if the homeowner returned unexpectedly the rattling of the key in the lock would alert the thief who’d then have time to escape out the back, this depriving the homeowner the opportunity of doing the ne’er do well any well deserved harm.
On that occasion they’d first tried kicking the back door in, it had a nice array of shoeprints, then levered open a casement and the stay just broke.
2nd time ( almost exactly a year later) they came in the same way ( this time the screws ripped out of the timber frame, went for upvc after that) set the alarm off that had been installed , stacked my stereo , tv and other stuff outside the front door and were caught by police ,who’d attended having been called by a neighbour, when he returned at that point in a car he’d nicked. Total scrote junkie , got a total of 3 months for my place, another forced entry where he beat the occupier unconcious and the car he’d nicked.
Fortunately karma lent a hand and a couple of years later he OD’d.

Window locks

Rex — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 11:15:03 +0000

My front and back doors are from the same company as my windows, a Danish company. I believe it is normal in European to have outward opening doors, and that is how mine are. Makes kicking in rather challenging.

Window locks

djh — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 11:59:47 +0000

My front door is English style inwards opening. My back doors are the same design but outward opening. Historically I think it used to be that outward opening meant hinges on the outside and hence easy to take the door off, but I don't think it makes much difference these days with hinge bolts and multi-point hook locks.

Window locks

tony — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 15:49:13 +0000

A friend recently had locksmiths in to do some replacement window handles and they recommended not having keys on upstairs windows ‘for safety reasons’
First time I have heard that - the thin end of a wedge I reckon.

Window locks

djh — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 20:10:23 +0000

I think I've heard it mentioned but I don't remember when. Basically, no locks on escape windows. It's all a compromise (bodge?) between 'security' and 'safety'.

Window locks

tony — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 20:36:31 +0000

I can’t see the security . I worry about people being able to open the window to shout out of or to get out of or to be able to stick their heads out of for a breath of air.

Window locks

Mike1 — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 21:12:57 +0000

The Secured by Design guides - https://www.securedbydesign.com/guidance/design-guides - include advice on where there should be locks, which seems sensible to me:

Short version: All easily accessible windows should incorporate key lockable hardware unless designated as emergency egress routes within the Building Regulations. Where 'easily accessible' means:
- A window or doorset, any part of which is within 2 metres vertically of an accessible level surface such as a ground or basement level, or an access balcony, or
- A window within 2 metres vertically of a flat roof or sloping roof (with a pitch of less than 30°) that is within 3.5 metres of ground level.

Window locks

Artiglio — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 08:54:55 +0000

My flats fell under a selective licensing scheme for private rented accomodation, part of which includes security. Council were insistent that 3rd floor tenants had keys to lock their windows, but had no interest as to whether there were opening restrictors. Similarly they just looked to see if smoke/heat alarms were present but made no effort to see if they were in date.
Too much box ticking with no deviation, primary objective of most council employees is avoiding anything outside the box.

Window locks

Dominic Cooney — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 22:09:22 +0000

The locks on the windows in this house are the weirdest (still in from when we bought it).
They have a thumb button - the sort you would expect to press in order to be able to turn the handle, which seems to be how a lot of them work that you see.
But on these ones, when you press the button, it locks it. Then you need the key to unlock it to get the thumb button to pop out again. To open it you have to turn the handle WITHOUT pressing the thumb button.
Counter-intuitive, and unsafe for upstairs windows in my opinion.

Window locks

tony — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 07:33:56 +0000

We live in a crazy world, I am finding similar box ticking with smoke seals, yes they are present but not preventing smoke, daylight visible when doors are shut = draughts, noise can enter and so can smoke. I hope occupants can easily open their windows

Window locks

djh — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 11:20:19 +0000

Posted By: Dominic CooneyThey have a thumb button - the sort you would expect to press in order to be able to turn the handle, which seems to be how a lot of them work that you see.
But on these ones, when you press the button, it locks it. Then you need the key to unlock it to get the thumb button to pop out again. To open it you have to turn the handle WITHOUT pressing the thumb button.

The ones on our windows work like that too. As you say, very counter-intuitive.

Window locks

Artiglio — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 13:39:39 +0000

Posted By: tonyWe live in a crazy world, I am finding similar box ticking with smoke seals, yes they are present but not preventing smoke, daylight visible when doors are shut = draughts, noise can enter and so can smoke. I hope occupants can easily open their windows

Envirograph Product 69 is a very cost effective solution for such situations , have a series of brush seal sizes tested to work in gaps upto 10mm. A doddle to fit.