Window Installation & Doors
Kitemark window and door installation scheme
Replacing the windows and doors in your home can represent a huge investment. It therefore makes sense to ensure you choose good quality products. However, a quality product can often be let down by poor quality survey and installation.
Poorly installed windows and doors can leak air and water, offer poor burglar resistance, be unsafe in use and in extreme cases adversely affect the structure of the property. Add to this concern over the potential damage to property and furnishings and making the right choice of installation becomes a daunting task.
The Kitemark scheme for window installations has been developed to combat poor installation and finishing of double-glazed windows. So by choosing Kitemark installations you can make sure you get good products fitted to high standards.
Watch the Door Testing Video
Kitemark window and door products include:
PVC-U doors, windows and profiles
Timber doors and windows
Aluminium doors and windows
Steel and composite doors and windows
The following types of tests are carried out on these products
- Weathertightness
- Impact strength
- Durability
- Security
Securing doors
Of all burglaries committed in the UK, two thirds of perpetrators gain entry through a door. It is absolutely essential to ensure that all doors are as secure as possible. If you need to upgrade your doors to make them more secure you should make sure that they are certified to the British Standard PAS 24-1 "Doors of Enhanced Security".
Wooden doors should have strong solid frames and they should be at least 44mm thick - they can be made even stronger by fitting steel strips and plates to the frame and around any of the locks. If they have glass panels you should ideally replace the glass with laminated glass.
Door hinges should be securely fitted with long screws with the incorporation of hinge bolts. These can be purchased very cheaply and they will help protect against an individual attempting to force a door open.
Automatic deadlocks should be utilised on the front and back doors. These require a key to open the door both from the outside and inside. A rim latch should be added along with chain and door viewers and an automatic deadlock. Also have a five lever mortise deadlock added approximately one third from the bottom of the door. This should have a Kitemark to British Standard BS3621. It is only possible to open a deadlock with the key so these locks are extremely safe for the homeowner and will mean that even if a burglar was to gain entry to the house, they would not be able to exit through the front door.
It is important to note that these locks will not only help to secure your home, but they are also important when you come to apply for your home insurance policy. So it could save you money on your home insurance.
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