The window is to let light in, protect against cold, noise and weather conditions. However, there is one more feature that is definitely not to be forgotten – safety. And it's not just about protecting your home from burglary. A safe window should also reduce the risk of accidental opening by a child, make it difficult to break the glass and ensure adequate stability of the entire structure.
So which window can be called safe? A solid frame alone is not enough. The level of safety is influenced by the entire set: profile, glass, fittings, handle, method of fixing the glazing, as well as the correct installation of the window in the building.
A safe window is the entire system
When buying new windows, we often pay attention to their appearance, profile color or heat transfer coefficient. Of course, these are very important parameters, but in the case of safety, you should look at the window as a complete structure.
Even a very robust profile will not provide adequate protection if it is fitted with basic hardware or unsuitable glazing. Likewise, even the best mechanical security features will not perform their function if the entire window is installed incorrectly.
Therefore, the secure window should be properly configured at the order stage.
Fittings - one of the most important elements of a safe window
One of the methods used during burglary attempts is prying the window sash. That is why the construction of fittings is so important.
In standard solutions, the number of points responsible for securing the sash may be smaller. In the case of windows from which we expect an increased level of protection, solutions are used that make it difficult to prise and push the sash out of the frame.
An important role here is played, among others, by hooks and locking points located on the perimeter of the wing.
Modern hardware systems can also be responsible for convenient opening and opening of the window, proper sash pressure and its additional protection.
In DWEWNOPLAST windows, we use modern hardware solutions, and their configuration can be adapted to the requirements of a specific building and user.
Safety glass – ordinary glass is not the only option
A large area of a modern window is occupied by glazing. Especially in modern houses, where wide terrace glazing and large windows are designed, the right selection of the glazing package is of great importance.
One of the solutions is laminated glass, made of glass sheets connected with special layers of foil. After damage to such glazing, fragments of glass may remain bound to the intermediate layer, instead of spilling in the form of loose fragments.
Depending on the package design used, different levels of protection can be obtained.
In the case of windows, whose task is also to increase resistance to burglary, properly selected protective glass is used. One of the common solutions is P4A glass, but the type of glazing should always be matched to the expected level of protection and the structure of the entire window.
Importantly, the window itself, referred to as anti-burglary, does not automatically cause the entire window to have a specific burglary resistance class.
If we want an increased level of protection, it is worth paying attention to several elements at the same time:
- appropriate class and design of fittings,
- an increased number of locking points and protections making it difficult to prise the wing,
- properly selected glazing package,
- laminated glass or glass with an appropriate protection class,
- a door handle lockable or equipped with an additional lock,
- safety devices designed for children,
- appropriate profile and sash design,
- professional installation of the window,
- optional use of roller shutters and other elements of the home security system.
However, the most important thing is that all these elements are properly selected together. The security of a window is as good as its good elements.