ᐅ Secure windows and front door for a property in an exposed location

Created on: 18 Jan 2016 10:19
S
sirhc
Hello everyone,

Our plot is located at the edge:
- Last plot at the end of a one-way street
- To the east, a small wooded area
- To the south, directly adjacent to the plot, a railway track, with an industrial area beyond it

Therefore, I am currently focusing on the topic of security.
We were offered "standard" windows. I don’t have detailed knowledge yet, but I can share some key points: PVC, profile depth 70mm (2.8 inches), 5 chambers, Veka profile reinforced to 2mm (0.08 inches), triple glazing (called Veka Topline).
- For an additional cost: profile depth 82mm (3.2 inches), 6 chambers, 3 sealing levels (called Softline).
- For an additional cost: RC1 (4 security locking points).
- For an additional cost: RC2N (6 to 12 security locking points, anti-pry protection, drill protection, lockable handle).
- For an additional cost: magnetic contact for monitoring.
- For an additional cost: insulated aluminum blinds (electric operated).

The offered aluminum front door includes multipoint locking, aluminum panel, and warping-resistant sash.

At this point, I am mainly concerned with the windows. We would choose as follows:
Windows with 82mm (3.2 inches) profile depth without magnetic contacts and with aluminum blinds.

Questions:
1) Do electric blinds automatically provide lift protection?

2) RC2N means the glass is the weak point. Due to the adjacent railway track and the edge location, I consider the glass quite vulnerable as an attack target since breaking it wouldn’t be seen or heard when a train passes by. Therefore, I would prefer glass that is more difficult to break. Full RC2 would provide such glass but would have disadvantages in energy performance (U-value?), correct? How about RC2N combined with an impact-resistant protective film?

Thank you very much for your help.
P
Peanuts74
9 Feb 2016 08:47
The Peugeot as a deterrent ;-)
L
Legurit
9 Feb 2016 08:58
Yes... but what could we do. We were young and needed the money (for the house 😀)
sirhc9 Feb 2016 10:32
By the way, I visited the police station to look at windows and locks they had on display, broke open a standard window myself, and gathered one or two useful tips. Overall, I already had a good understanding of most things. It didn’t hurt anyway, after all, it only cost a few euros for fuel.

What I also learned:
- Make sure to get a certificate confirming professional installation according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Ensure that the window as a complete package is RC2 certified and that you’re not sold a misleading product (apparently, mushroom locks are often combined with standard locks, or you may come across phrases like “lock is similar to RC2 in terms of security” – you just need to be able to read carefully to get suspicious).
- Avoid locks with locking handles that have a button but no key.
- Examine windows closely (stickers with certification and information about who tested what and when).
L
Legurit
9 Feb 2016 10:53
What do you mean by the key? Should there be a knob or a lock with a key?
sirhc9 Feb 2016 11:22
The police officer said that women always prefer the handle with a button because it looks nicer. However, if the window is cut or smashed, a burglar can simply press the button and unlock the window. To prevent this, handles with a lock and key should be used, and of course, the key should be removed and stored in a different location after locking.
Musketier9 Feb 2016 11:25
Who does that every day? In such cases, a ventilation system is definitely necessary, as airing out the rooms simply becomes a source of annoyance.