Ben Brocklesby, Director at Origin, the UK’s leading manufacturer of aluminium doors and windows, discusses home safety and the key areas of concern for homeowners.
With more than 240,000 break-ins in 2023, home security is of paramount concern to homeowners when renovating or buying a property. Data shows that front doors are the most common entry point (74%), followed by first-floor windows (23%), and back doors (22%).
Renovators and prospective property buyers want assurances that products installed in their homes will protect them and their families from break-ins. Here are the key security features they’ll be asking about:
1. Materials
Not all materials are equal, and some are stronger than others. Those looking for strong doors and windows will want to consider aluminium. It’s inherently strong, yet lightweight, meaning it’s resistant to warping (unlike timber) and is more secure than uPVC. Despite this, it remains easy to operate (unlike heavy steel products).
2. Locks
With several types of lock on the market, most homeowners don’t know what differentiates them. Multi-point locking systems provide the most protection in residential settings, such as Origin’s unique 8-point locking system. This can be reinforced with tamper-proof cylinders, which are resistant to picking, drilling, and bumping, for added protection.
3. Certifications
Awards and certifications act as third-party assurance of a product’s quality, and homeowners use them to identify a superior product. All external doors and windows should meet PAS24 standards as a minimum requirement, but those wanting extra assurance should prioritise products that also hold the Secured by Design accreditation. This police-approved certification has been awarded to systems within the Origin home collection.
Alongside these elements, there are some additional aspects that construction professionals can advise homeowners of. These include:
1. Hinges
Often exposed on the outside, hinges can be a significant weak point in doors and windows as they can be vulnerable to damage.
Instead, systems from Origin have been designed to deter intruders. For example, on the windows, no hinges are visible externally and hinge guards are installed as standard. These protect the hinges and block opportunists from jemmying the window open along the hinged side.
Hinges are also made from the highest-grade stainless-steel and are capable of carrying exceptionally heavy loads, which exceed above and beyond the standardised tests.
2. Additional options
For added peace of mind, Origin products have safety and security features that can be specified. For example, opening restrictors, restrictor hooks or spyholes are available on products throughout the range.
Homeowners want to ensure they are protecting their family and assets. With the increasing sophistication of burglars, products used in renovations and new homes must be robust and exceed minimum requirements. Not only will this provide peace of mind for homeowners and house buyers, but it will add value.
To learn more about the security on Origin products and to open an account, visit https://trade.origin-global.com/partner-with-origin
