| Hamilton Locksmith and Carpentry Services of Swindon, Wiltshire can help you secure your wooden casement windows, wooden sliding sash windows, Metal Crittal Windows, Aluminium Windows and Louvre Windows. In many cases it is not possible to retro-fit any extra locks to UPVC windows. This is because the material used is not strong enough to support a metal lock fitted with steel screws. It could also damage the window and perhaps invalidate any existing warranty. |
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We will fit locks which secure the frames together in preference to locks which |
simply secure the handle or stay bar. Casement windows, by their very design, need to be locked by securing the window to the frame. Most casement locks are screwed to the window rather than the frame - a weaker system. We would recommend locks which are fixed to the frame as these are more secure, as well as being easy to use.| If the window is flush to the frame we fit mortice rack bolts (bolts fitted into the window and operated internally with a key). We always fit at 90º to the grain of the wood, reducing the likelihood of the wood splitting if subjected to pressure and fixed into either end of the frame. |
For sliding sash windows we recommend Sash stops An alternative form of lock is the dual screw. |
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which are strong and convenient to use and do not need to be removed from window when opening fully. They can be set into the top frame allowing the window to be left open about 5" for ventilation but still secure. For optimum security we normally fit in pairs.
These in effect bolt the two sashes together. An added bonus is that, in so doing, they also reduce draughts.