Hi all and welcome to another few top tips as to what window lock is best for what type of window.
When I was on the tools a good few years ago now mind you, I did have a favourite window lock off all time.
Is was the Era Window Snap Lock, that could be fitted on all casement style windows (Casement windows are windows that are hinged to open) they even do a version that can fit on aluminium windows and metal crittal windows.
One of the great advantages with these snap locks is that you don’t need a key in which to lock the window, as soon as you close the window the lock snaps locked shut. Any thing that make the use of a window lock easier in my view has to be a positive hence the reason why I like them so much.
There is nothing worse than opening a window, off course you use a key, normally the key is put to one side and then later in the day you go to lock the window and off course, having to get the key and lock it down is a bit of a hassle, hence the snap lock works for me, shut the window and it locks.
If you want to look at one in a bit more detail click here and pop over to our store.
If you don’t know that much about windows and your insurance has mentioned that you need to fit window locks, first of all you need to know what type window you have.
In the UK there are generally two types of windows, ones that swing open and ones that slide up and down (as some sideways). As mentioned before the first are called casement windows and the latter sash windows.
I am not aware of a snap locked shut window lock being available for sash windows, but when it comes to ease of fitting, perhaps the best has to be the ‘sash window bolts’. These bolts simply fit where the two sash’s meet in the middle. simply drill a hole into the two pieces of wood. (not all the way through) the size mentioned on the fitting instructions, there is a brass sleeve that you hit into the hole that is threaded to accept the bar with a key projection on the end. simply screw this bar into the brass sleeve and the two sash’s now are locked together and won’t move. Depending on the size of the sash you can either fit one or two, I would consider on average if the window is around a meter wide or more use two, if less you may get away with only one.
You don’t have to fit these bolts onto the centre rail you can fit them on the side of the windows where the sides slides past each other. The major advantage fitting these locks on the side rails is you can actually drill the hole through the two sashes and this would be OK to lock the window. But if you open the sash a few inches put the drill bit back into the hole and drill another hole into the front sash and now you can lock the window slightly open for ventilation.
Casement windows also have locks that allow you to open the window a little to help with ventilation. ‘click here’ to see a sample.
What is also great with this window locks that allow ventilation is they have an extra bonus on stopping the window from opening all the way which is great for our babies and young children.
I hope if you're tacking the job this winter to fit some window locks this article has helped a little and perhaps you may consider getting the locks from us :-)
Either way, thanks for reading and stay safe
Written by
Darrel Walters
Head of the tech department
TRUST Security - Trust LocksOnline
