With the warmer weather upon us, it's an
excellent time to open up the house and give it a good spring airing after
the stuffy, centrally-heated cooler months.
But open windows are very inviting to
thieves and even closed ones may be no match for burglars if they don't
have locks for added security.
Cams or fitch fasteners are often chosen to
help secure wooden sliding sash windows, but although they are attractive
and a reasonable challenge for would-be intruders, it only takes a strong
knife to get the better of them.
Locks that have a removable key are a much
harder nut to crack, such as a press-locking bolt. Fix the keeper to the
outer sash frame and the lock body to the inner meeting rail.
Once the keeper has been screwed in place,
extend the bolt so that it can be used to position the lock body
accurately, then a key can be turned to release the lock.
Window bolts can also be used to secure sash
windows and are very discreet. Basically, they are made up of a thin bolt
that passes through both meeting rails, which stops them from being slid
apart.
With the window closed, drill a hole for
each bolt through the inner meeting rail into the outer rail. Note the
depth of the hole by marking the drill with tape.
Open the window and tap the metal liners
into the holes until they are flush. These will be supplied with the
kit.
Shut the window again and insert the
threaded bolt using the special key provided. To open the window, unscrew
and take out the bolt.
With both these types of lock, it's best to
fit them in the middle of the frame if the window is relatively small. For
larger windows, two locks are even better, with one positioned at either
end.
To allow windows to be partially opened for
ventilation but without compromising security, sash stops are ideal.
Simply drill a hole in the upper sash frame about 75mm (3in) above the
meeting rail, then cut a recess and screw the fitting in place.
The key operated bolt prevents the window
sliding past the stop, but can be pushed right in should you want to open
the window all the way. Fit one of these at both ends of the frame.
Casement windows can be easily secured too,
although metal ones are a little more time consuming because pilot holes
for the fixing screws need to be drilled.
Cockspurs - the handles that fasten the
window shut - should be lockable, so replace if necessary. They are
available for left and right hand opening.
However if you don't want to get rid of the
original cockspurs, then screw a lock, or pair, to the fixed frame
instead. Keeper plates screwed to the casement will latch automatically
when you close the window and can be released with a key.
Casement stays can be secured with a simple
key-operated lock. A threaded stud, which can be used to replace the
original stay peg, passes through a hole in the stay arm. To prevent the
stay from moving, screw a locknut onto the stud.
Read the manufacturers instructions before
you start any kind of work as locks can differ in detail and remember to
keep keys well out of sight, but conveniently hidden should you need them
in an emergency.
With the warmer weather upon us, it's an
excellent time to open up the house and give it a good spring airing after
the stuffy, centrally-heated cooler months.
