ᐅ Window Question – Quote

A question regarding windows:
Our house is planned with the following plastic (uPVC) windows:

Basement:
4x basement windows

Ground floor:
2x living room/dining room (floor-to-ceiling, tilt and turn + fixed glazing – 2.8m (9 ft 2 in) wide, of which 1.4m (4 ft 7 in) fixed glazing)
1x kitchen window (1.6m (5 ft 3 in) wide)
1x guest toilet window
1x hallway window (floor-to-ceiling)

Upper floor:
2x bedrooms (tilt and turn + turn, floor-to-ceiling)
2x children’s rooms, floor-to-ceiling
1x children’s room ("standard window")
1x bathroom window

We have two quotes: one for €14,000 and one for €10,000.
With the more expensive offer, we have the impression that the windows are of higher quality.
The Uw values are comparable for both offers (triple glazing).
We are uncertain about what is realistic here.

Questions about window technology:
Do we need RC2 security class windows on the ground floor?
Should all ground floor windows be lockable?
How many locking points should a tilt and turn window have (also with mullion)?
How many locking points should a standard turn-only window (with mullion) have?

Do you have any other tips or things we should pay attention to?
Thanks in advance!

Best regards,
xdiver

What makes expensive windows higher quality? The correct installation is particularly important; for normally sized windows, the "window brand" is probably not that significant.
Is RC2 protection sufficient? No idea, but it is at least better than basic security. A report on television a few weeks ago showed that the difference between RC1 and RC2 is quite small but potentially already adequate. If the window cannot be pried open immediately, the burglar might give up and leave.
Lockable handles from the inside are just a gimmick but can help prevent small children from opening the windows from the inside.
Having shutters down at night (even during holidays, for example using timers) or closing the windows when leaving the house is already very valuable.

Burglary resistant, but only if more than just the handle is locked – because that only prevents operation from the inside and does not stop a burglar from prying the window open. If you want proper protection, you need a locking cylinder or pin-tumbler cylinder, for example – but that will cost money (up to 70 EUR per window).

By the way, the police offer free advice on this topic! They will (at least in our area) also come to your home for a consultation.

nordanney schrieb:
Burglary-resistant, but only if more than just the handle is locked – because that only prevents operation from the inside and does not stop a burglar from prying open the window. If anything, you need a locking cylinder or pin-tumbler cylinder or similar – but that costs money (up to 70 EUR per window).

By the way, the police offer free advice on this topic! They also come to your home for consultation (at least in our area).

nordanney: Some pry, others use DIFFERENT methods, which is where the lockable handle makes sense. Every burglar has their preferred way to get inside… they don’t easily change tactics when the house is a “random target” (common scenario).

I come from criminal investigation myself and am fairly knowledgeable about this (at least regarding forensic evidence).

ypg schrieb:
nordanney: some pry open doors, others have DIFFERENT methods, which is why the lockable escutcheon plate has its purpose. Every burglar has their preferences for breaking in... they don’t deviate easily when the house is chosen as a "random target" (common). I come from criminal investigation myself and have a fair amount of knowledge (at least when it comes to forensic evidence)

I believe you.
However, I don’t want the original poster to become too comfortable with “simple” lockable escutcheon plates and assume that’s enough.
The whole package needs to be right.

nordanney schrieb:
I believe you.
However, I don’t want the original poster to simply relax with "basic" lockable olive handles and think that’s sufficient.
The whole package has to be right.

You’re right! I was only referring to your comment about it being a “gag.”
Burglary protection starts in the garden and neighborhood and ends with the interior lighting. In between, there are windows. There is no 100% security… you can spend thousands, but also just a few “few” euros. As you say, the police offer crime prevention consultations – of course, for free! Everything else depends on the available budget and other factors.*

We have lockable olive handles, roller shutters, and mushroom head locks. *In addition, "motion-activated" lights inside and outside and some “mess” when leaving the house to suggest life inside. There is a hedge planned that will not be fully opaque during the darker months.
But I think the original poster didn’t want to hear that?!