Securing sash windows

penthouse89

Hi All,

Just looking for some advice.

My flat is part of a Victorian townhouse conversion, and has the original (circa 1850) sliding sash windows.I live on the ground floor.

Both the front and rear rooms have bay windows, one sash in each of the windows works.

Both, however, are big enough for someone to climb through. I've just done exactly that, releasing the catch from the outside with a piece of metal I found. *MUST* remember to take keys with me when I nip outside!

Can anyone advise on how I can best secure these windows, ideally with a key operated lock. I've googled it but there seem to be quite a lot of options and I'd like to know what the best ones are. Wouldn't normally be overly concerned but living on the ground floor I want them secure, despite the nice location there have been a few dodgy things occuring lately, including someone attempting to steal the lead flashing from the porch and a couple of lurkers peering into parked cars.

Sure someone here has experience of living in an old house with these windows!

Cheers

xylophone

http://thecrimepreventionwebsite.com/security-for-existing-windows/581/locking-sliding-sash-windows/

Have you read this?

penthouse89

I have, and I'm none-the wiser. There seem to be multiple options.

If it's any help, only the bottom sashes work on my windows, the tops have been long painted shut.

nineteenseventyseven

http://www.inbrass.co.uk/acatalog/Window_Locks.html

You can get two main types see the above website - they have a shop in Edinburgh - a city which is full of sash windows.

Dual screws basically lock the upper and lower sashes together so neither can move. You drill a hole through both sashes and the lock basically joins them together. Sash locks screw into the upper sash which means the lower sash can't be opened as the lock protrudes outwards. You can position these at different points on the upper sash - allowing varying degrees of movement of the lower sash without unlocking - either no movement at all or positioning them a few inches higher to allow the lower sash to open by that amount for ventilation.

penthouse89

Thank you.

I think sash locks are probably my best option, these look more user friendly.

The house next door has a unique solution to this - they've just nailed wooden blocks to the upper sash. Don't like that as a fire escape though!

benjus

I'd probably go for the "ERA 803" type from the link above (although it does look a bit more conspicuous).

The dual screws are a real pain to put in every time you want to lock the window. These old windows generally have a fair bit of movement in them, and you have to line them up pretty much exactly as they were when the lock was installed, without being able to see what you're lining up...

Bear in mind that most of them use standard keys (square profile and D-shaped profile) so they aren't as secure as locks with unique keys.

G_M

Google "sash window lock" for 100s of options!

penthouse89

That was what I did, and what I got, leaving me somewhat overwhelmed and no further forward.

I was asking for opinions from the forum.