Everyone wants to feel safe in their own home. So it is important to think about security when choosing PVC windows. Burglars see doors, and particularly windows, as weak points in the building envelope. Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do to increase burglar resistance.

And the longer it takes a burglar to open a window, the more likely they are to give up. The highest level of protection is therefore offered by windows made from high-quality Class A profiles with appropriate security solutions that will delay burglars for a long time. These windows even protect the house better than an alarm because they can impede burglary attempts, instead of just warning you of them.

From the point of view of a burglar, windows and doors are the weakest points in the building envelope. Standard windows with conventional fittings are actually very easy to pry out of their frames using screwdrivers and wedges.  

Fortunately, there is something you can do to prevent this. Special security fittings made of steel are very effective at preventing the standard break-in method. To permanently discourage burglars, however, all other window components should be made secure and coordinated.

For optimum protection, windows should have mushroom head locks and, depending on requirements, impact-resistant, burglar-proof, double or triple glazing, locking handles with protection against turning and drilling, and sashes with anti-shift devices to prevent them being levered out.

Class A profiles from VEKA are the ideal basis on which to add additional security solutions to upgrade PVC windows to the individual security requirements.

PVC windows offer a high level of security

Security solutions include:

• Anti-turn, anti-drill window handles
• Reinforced glazing beads
• Reinforced fittings
• Reinforced frame construction
• Impact-resistant glazing

Resistance classes (RCs) are used as a measure of the protection offered against burglary. There are seven resistance classes, from RC 1 N (low protection) to RC 6 (maximum protection). The N classes (RC 1 N and RC 2 N) do not specify any special glazing requirements. The relevant resistance class for residential buildings is RC 2, which is recommended by the police.

Resistance classes are based on a number of different factors. They include the type of burglar and the tools used as well as the material and construction method of the building element. The installation method and wall properties are also considered. The details are specified in standard series DIN EN 1627–1630.

RC 2 is the relevant resistance class for private and commercial properties. Windows that meet the criteria for this resistance are also recommended by the police.

How resistant a window is against burglary depends on a number of different components. Optimum protection requires steel fittings on all sides of the window. These windows have mushroom head locks on all four sides that are harder to pry out, and a frame with safety strike plates, which is anchored in the brickwork by means of special wall plugs.

PVC windows in RC 2 have at least six mushroom head locks. This is enough to frighten off opportunist burglars. They notice very quickly whether windows have special security measures and usually give up after just two minutes because they do not want to draw attention to themselves.

The profiles from which PVC windows are made also play an important role in preventing burglaries. For this reason, VEKA produces exclusively in Class A quality in compliance with DIN EN 12608 – the only profile manufacturer in Germany to do so. VEKA profiles are made from high-impact hard PVC and have extra-thick walls. They are surrounded with steel reinforcements as standard by the window manufacturer, which makes them extremely robust.