If you didn’t know, October is National Home Security Month. As a result, now is a better time than ever to consider how secure your windows are. Should you choose to make some improvements, there will be huge advantages. Read on if you want to know how to make your home as safe as possible. Then, if you want to arrange sash window restoration in Northumberland, you can choose us.
Single and double glazing
First, there is the matter of single vs. double glazing. It shouldn’t surprise you that the latter is far superior at preventing heat from escaping and blocking noise. This makes it a clear winner.
However, did you know that single glazing comes with some big security risks too? Many homes, particularly those belonging to the Victorian era, only have a measly 3mm thick piece of glass. Double glazing on the other hand comes with two panes of 4mm thick glass. Less than half thickness results in much lower security. So, it will be easier for criminals to break in. You’d be better off doubling up.
How many panes of glass isn’t the only important thing here though. What kind you have also influences security. One of the most secure glazing options out there today is Toughened Safety Glass. It is harder to break and has safety advantages. Moreover, this safety glass has a particular visual mark. It warns off intruders by alerting them to how effective the glass is.
Laminated Safety Glass is another option. It functions similarly to a car windscreen. Between the two layers of glazing there is a thin film. This keeps the glass layers bonded even when they break. As a result, the glass stays in the frame, preventing shards from going all over the place.
Is your maintenance up to snuff?
The quality of your window maintenance work is also important to security. It can have major ramifications. Decades of neglect can result in windows that have worn screws or hinges that can be simple to break. If you notice an issue, you should use the foremost services for sash window restoration Northumberland has.
Treat the timber
You may want to have treated timber as well. Let’s say you have a wood window frame that is rotten and old. If so, you need to know that it poses an undeniable risk to the structural integrity and security. This is why you should update your windows. Work to ensure they are protected from dry rot or wet, and woodworm.
In several grand, classic Victorian homes, the wood in the windows has never been replaced. Some of it has never been treated. Exposure to too much heat, moisture, or the British weather in general, can cause the wood to degrade rapidly. There are tell-tale signs like puckered paint and bubbling, or holes and chipping. These issues act as advertisements to prospective criminals that yours is an easy home to get into.
As such, it can be wise to update your windows using treated timber. Accoya wood is a good example. It ticks every box in terms of resistance to decay, insect attacks, and weather damage. The durability is also excellent.
Fire safety
We want to finish by talking about fire safety. With your windows, besides protecting yourself from crooks, you will want to make sure everyone can get out. An alarming number of homes have windows so badly preserved and old that they are no longer able to open. Some even have windows that are painted shut due to people not seeing the bigger picture. Doing this is dangerous. In the event of a fire, you must be able to open your windows. If yours don’t open, you should get help to restore them.
We’re fast and efficient workers if you need sash window restoration in Northumberland
At David Humble, we aim to work in the most efficient way possible. To do so, we make use of a perimeter sealing system. It enables us to work from the inside. We can repair your windows much faster this way. Plus, it improves safety.
So, please call us if you need the leading services for sash window restoration Northumberland has. We can help make them more secure and improve the look and performance too.