Security Ranks Highest When Buying New Doors and Windows

When it comes to choosing new doors and windows, the UK public rates security features above all else.

The survey, from Origin Global, the leading UK manufacturer of premium quality aluminium doors, windows and blinds, revealed that nearly 40% of people believe security, including the quality of the locks, is the most important factor when buying new doors and windows.

This was followed by 27% of participants citing price as most important and 20% choosing the quality of the materials the doors and windows are made from. Only 14% of people ranked how the doors and windows look as the most important factor.

Results in Brief

What is most important to you when buying external doors and windows?

Women are more concerned about security than men

How men and women choose doors and windows was also telling — 44% of women ranked the security of the doors as the most important feature, compared with just 32% of men.

Men were led more by price, with nearly 30% choosing cost as the most important factor. The figure among women for this option was 25%.

Men were also more interested in the quality of materials the doors and windows are made from, with 23% of men choosing material quality, compared with just 17% of women.

How real is the threat of a break-in?

Despite incidences of burglary falling 26%  over the last decade, security is still a top concern for homeowners, as the survey revealed.

The level of security on new doors and windows is crucial too, with 76% of burglars choosing to access a home through its external door, according to statistics from April 2015 – March 2016. The same data also shows:

• 31% entered by forcing a door lock
• 16% accessed the home through an unlocked door
• 7% broke in by breaking or cutting the door panel
• 23% of burglaries during this same period were through the window, mainly through forcing window locks or catches
• A separate survey revealed that 27% of burglaries involve accessing the home through lock-snapping

Although these statistics can seem scary, it’s important to note that overall incidences of burglary have declined. Assessing your home’s security — starting with the quality of the doors and window locks, and then looking at extras such as burglar alarms and CCTV — can all help to ensure your home is as secure as possible.

Security paramount in aluminium doors and windows from Origin

The Origin Residential Door, Bi-fold Door and Window are engineered with security in mind. They are all manufactured from premium grade aluminium, a material renowned for its innate strength. On the Bi-fold and Residential Door, they feature the Origin unique industry-leading 8 point locking system, and the Origin Window uses the renowned Yale Encloser lock for peace of mind. Below, we take a look at some of their key security features:

Residential doors

• The Origin Residential Door is equipped with a multipoint locking system and 3-star barrel as standard. There are two different locking mechanisms available, which will be determined by the type of handle you choose:
  • Doors with a bar or pull bar handle are fitted with a 5-point automatic locking system with key only access.
  • Doors fitted with the Yale security lever handle are supplied with Origin’s unique 8-point multipoint lock mechanism. As part of the 8-point multipoint locking system, it features chamfered 20mm linear bolts that offer a smoother operation when engaging the lock, as well as giving maximum compression.

• Origin offers two barrel choices for residential doors, both of which are 3 Star British Kite Marked, and are proven to protect against snapping, picking, drilling and bumping.
• The frames and sash are manufactured from a premium glade aluminium, and the panel itself is constructed of aluminium layers and a Thermimax core, which offers not only a thermally efficient performance, but also a hugely secure one.
• Coded keys can be specified. This means the key to unlock the barrel is given a unique code and without the code a new key won’t be able to be cut.

Bi-fold doors

• The weak areas for bi-folding doors are often the cylinder/locking barrel and the handle. One survey found that 27% of burglaries involve lock-snapping. This is because most doors often use insecure cylinders which burglars can bump, drill or snap to gain entry. With Origin, however, there are no weak points. The Origin Bi-fold Door can feature a British Standards accredited Magnum security cylinder/ barrel, proven to protect against snapping, picking, drilling and bumping, offering a proven defence that is second to none.
• Origin have developed an outstandingly secure and completely unique 8 point locking system, which conforms to all the latest security standards including Pas 23/24. Some handle models are also solid cast Yale handles for a superior level of security.
• We have a specifically designed hinge which is engineered to withstand attack and offers little opportunity for even the most determined intruder. All of this, on top of the innately robust and strong aluminium profile, makes for an ultra-secure system.

Windows

• Hinge guards are installed as standard on all Origin Windows, serving the purpose of both protecting the hinges as well as blocking intruders from jemmying the window open along the hinged side.
• The Origin Window is fitted with the Yale Encloser Lock, which features bi-directional locking technology and has been tested to PAS 24:2012.
• Other security features of the Origin Window include impenetrable crimped frames and locking handles, all of which combine to make the Origin Window one of the most secure on the market.
• Although not enhancing the security, restrictors can be also pre-installed on the Origin Window. These are vital for family homes as they prevent the window from being opened fully by children.

If you are looking to upgrade the security of your home with new doors and windows, then contact Origin for more information on our aluminium bi-fold doors, residential doors and windows, all of which feature industry-leading security features.

For more information contact your local installer or request a brochure here.