Friday, May 4, 2012

Double Glazing Security

Recent statistics for US and UK homes reveal that about 70 to 80 percent of burglars enter through the door. They would likely smash glass first to gain access to the locks. If not, they would look for an open window to wiggle through.

The last thing you would want to do is let your guard down. This does not mean however that you should just board up your windows and doors like a prison cell. Home security need not come at the expense of aesthetics. In fact, you will be surprised at how well a visually pleasing double glazed unit can help to deter criminals from forcing their way into your home.

Two Barriers, Double the Alarm

Double glazing uses at least two sheets of glass. Though they are considered to be one of the weakest spots in the entire assembly, glass will make would-be trespassers think twice about breaking in. The reason: Shattering the panes will create two times the noise and alert everybody to the presence of an intruder.

Special Glass

It is not just all about the commotion that smashing windows would make. Higher-end models also use certain varieties of glass sturdy enough to withstand a tremendous amount of force. A popular example is laminated glass in car wind shields.

This type of glass is almost tamper-proof, and break-resistant. To use laminated glass in a double glazing assembly would mean spending less on frequent glass replacements and enjoying more peace of mind inside the home.

Handy Reinforcements

Depending on the frame used, double glazed windows may come with additional security features. At the very basic level, the glass sheets are expected to fit snuggly inside the frames. Wooden framing is often supplemented with deadbolts and hooks for extra protection. Aluminium frames may also be reinforced with locks, but these materials are sealed so well that they are almost impossible to pry open from the outside. uPVC units are available with a range of high-security locks that make it very difficult to open the windows from outside when they are secured.

Predicting Human Behavior "Deterring Crime" Improving Security

An estimated 80 percent of burglaries are not premeditated, says one report. Many criminal elements look for the easiest way inside the house. Once they realize that your residence will be difficult to infiltrate, they will simply move on to easier targets.

Several components of the double glazing assembly stand to keep your home secure: the glass, the frames and the internal mechanisms. Taken together, they also serve as a major deterrent against forced entries.

If you want to find out more about double glazing security then I suggest you click the link, which offers an independent guide to the subject.

Sarah Clark is a freelance author who writes for many popular home & garden publications.


View the original article here

2 comments: