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The clocks went back on Sunday 25 October, and most of us are now coming home in the dark. Longer evenings mean more hours when a house sits unlit and empty, so now is a good time to give your doors and windows a proper once over.
The good news is that most security improvements are simple. Some you can check yourself in ten minutes. Others are small upgrades that make a real difference. Here is our guide to secure doors and windows in Surrey homes, and where we would start.
Start with your front and back doors
Doors are the most common way into a home, so they deserve the most attention.
Most modern uPVC and composite doors use a multipoint lock. When you lift the handle, several hooks, rollers or bolts engage along the edge of the door at once, holding it tight into the frame at the top, middle and bottom. It only works if you lift the handle fully and turn the key every time. A door that is simply pulled shut is held by the latch alone.
The cylinder, the part you put your key into, is worth checking too. Older cylinders can be vulnerable to a method known as lock snapping. If yours sticks out more than a few millimetres beyond the handle, or you are not sure what is fitted, ask us to take a look. An anti snap cylinder rated to TS007 3 star or SS312 Diamond is a modest upgrade that closes that gap.
If your door is getting on, a composite door may be worth considering. Composite doors have a solid, insulated core inside a tough outer skin, which makes them strong, stable and hard to force. They come with multipoint locking as standard and keep their looks for years with very little upkeep.
Do not forget the windows
Windows are easy to overlook, especially upstairs or at the back of the house.
Locking window handles are one of the simplest upgrades you can make. They let you lock the window shut with a key, so the handle cannot be turned by someone reaching through from outside. Fitting them is usually quick and does not mean replacing the window.
If you like to leave a window open for fresh air, restrictors let it open a little way while stopping it opening fully. They are a sensible choice for children’s bedrooms too.
On older frames, look at the hinges and seals. A window that rattles, drops or does not close firmly is not holding its locks properly. Often this is a repair job rather than a replacement.
Light up the outside
A dark porch or side passage gives a would be intruder the cover they want. Good outdoor lighting takes that away.
- A porch light by the front door, so you can find your keys and see who is calling.
- Motion sensor lights along side passages, driveways and back gardens.
- Dusk to dawn lights, so the house looks lived in even when you are home late.
- Plug in timers on a lamp or two indoors when you are away.
Keep hedges and shrubs trimmed back from doors and windows too, so nothing is hidden from the street.
Quick checks you can do this weekend
Run through this list now the clocks have changed, and again before you go away.
- Lift every door handle fully and lock with the key, then check the door holds firm with no movement.
- Keep keys out of the locks and away from hooks you can see through the letterbox or a window.
- Close and lock every window, including small top openers, and check each handle turns smoothly.
- Look for gaps, drops or rubbing where doors and windows meet the frame.
- Test outside lights and sensors, and replace any bulbs that have gone.
- Make sure side gates lock and that ladders and tools are put away.
- Lock the garage, along with any door from the garage into the house.
Repair or upgrade?
Not every problem means new doors or windows. A stiff handle, a lock that will not engage or a door that has dropped can often be put right by adjusting or replacing the locking mechanism. That is usually quicker and far cheaper than a new door.
If your doors and windows are older, single glazed, or the locks cannot be upgraded, replacement may make more sense. New windows and composite doors bring modern locking, better insulation and a warmer home through the winter.
We have been fitting and repairing windows and doors across Surrey since 1972, so we can tell you honestly which option suits your home. No pushy sales, just straight advice.
Concerned about your locks?
Our team can repair locking mechanisms or advise on a more secure upgrade. Call 01932 344 415 for honest, no pressure advice, or visit sheerwaterglass.co.uk.
