What Makes uPVC Windows Secure?

Material Strength

To begin with, what gives uPVC window frames high resistance to damage and durability is their material. uPVC frames maintain their strength and integrity for years, offering a reliable and secure solution for your home, unlike wooden frames, which can deteriorate over time.

• Tempered Glass

Sometimes, uPVC windows use tempered glass often called toughened glass. It is because it is more durable than the regular window glass. 

This type of glass is made by heating normal glass to the highest temperatures and then cooling it down really fast, which makes it less likely to break. So, imagine if someone tries to smash this window glass to get in, it’s not going to shatter easily, which is great for keeping intruders out.

• Laminated glass

As if that’s not enough, there are now more advanced glass technologies like laminated glass which is also really hard to break. They take a layer of thin plastic called polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and stick it between two sheets of regular glass. Then they heat it and press it together.

Check this out: What’s remarkable about laminated glass is that if it gets smashed, it doesn’t break into pieces and scatter. Instead, it stays stuck to that plastic layer.

This only means that if someone tries to break in through a window with laminated glass, it’s a struggle for them as the glass stays put, even if it’s smashed. That’s why laminated glass is often used for extra security, especially windows in hidden or secluded spots around the back of a building.

Locking Mechanisms

Another essential thing to think about when you’re checking the security of your uPVC windows is the quality of the locks. These locks are super important because they keep your windows tightly shut and your home safe.

• Multi-Point Locking System

Another cool feature of uPVC windows is that they’ve got a multi-point locking system that really boosts their security. Basically, there are several locking points all along the window frame, and you can lock or unlock them all with just one handle. It’s like having multiple locks on your door, but all controlled with one key!

So, when you turn that handle, all those locking points kick into action and make the window really secure. It’s not easy for intruders to break in because they’d have to deal with each locking point separately. 

• Hinge-side security brackets

Security brackets are like tough bodyguards for your windows. They’re these sturdy brackets that lock the outside of the window frame on the side where it hinges. So, when your window is shut tight and locked up, these brackets keep it from budging.

If some sneaky intruder tries to pry the window open from the hinge side, these brackets stand their ground and stop the window from moving. It’s like having an extra layer of protection on your windows.

Get this: when you combine these security brackets with the friction hinges on the top and bottom of the window and the locking mechanism, you’ve got all four sides of your window covered.

Other Security Features

On top of that, uPVC windows have more security features to make your home even safer.

• Internal Beading

First off, what exactly is beading? It’s a simple process where a strip of material, like wood, plastic, or metal, is attached to the edge of a glass pane. Actually, every window frame in your home has beading, either on the outside or the inside. 

Older windows often have external beading, which can make it easier for an intruder to try and break in. But, for uPVC windows, the strip snugly holds the panel within the frame. That’s why if you’re considering upgrading your windows, it’s a good idea to go for ones with internal beading as it adds an extra level of security to your home.

• Internal Glazing

Another security feature is internal glazing which comes often with uPVC windows. This refers to the glass being installed from the inside of your home rather than the outside. 

You might think that this might not seem like a big deal, but it adds an extra layer of security. Given that, internal glazing makes it much harder for intruders to remove the glass from the outside.

So it all adds up to this, uPVC windows offer security and beyond that. They’re also resistant to rot, rust, and fading. So once you install them, you can count on them to keep your home looking great and staying secure for years to come.

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