Mechanical burglary protection: plan the service and costs
Mechanical protection combines suitable components and professional fitting. Condition, counts and functions make quotes useful. Assessment, retrofit and replacement are distinct options.
Retrofit, replace or assess first
Mechanical protection makes attacks on doors, windows and accessible components harder. Assessment, suitable added protection and complete replacement are distinct jobs. An extra lock does not suit every existing door.
Assess frames, fittings, locks, glazing and fixings together. One strong part does not necessarily resolve weaknesses elsewhere. Electronic detection and organization complement the physical assessment rather than replacing it.
| Option | Check |
|---|---|
| Assessment | Existing condition and measures |
| Retrofit | Suitability and fixing |
| Replacement | Complete element and finishing |
Define elements and quantities
State affected doors, windows, gates or grilles and actual counts. Window sashes and whole openings may be different units; clarify the quote unit. Allocate counts and known dimensions in one mixed list.
Accessibility, material and condition affect the solution. Ground-floor windows and a hard-to-reach upper floor need not have the same scope. Do not publicly distribute detailed vulnerability plans; inspection happens on site later.
Match tested components with suitable installation
Resistance classes concern tested products in defined configurations. Check which evidence applies to the quoted element and fitting. Adding a lock does not automatically give an old door a security classification.
Retrofits need suitable existing components and fixings. Have condition, interfaces and installation checked. You need not diagnose the resistance class; requirements are agreed professionally.
Preserve operation and escape functions
Added bolts must remain usable day to day. Check users and necessary internal opening. Fire, escape or accessibility functions must not be changed without assessment.
Rental property, shared doors or protected buildings may need consent before work. A quote does not replace it. Discuss appearance, consequential damage and reversibility too.
Plan coherent protection
Assess accessible openings together rather than improving one conspicuous item. Alarms report events while mechanical components resist attack. No single measure guarantees no burglary.
Existing shutters or lockable handles are not automatically tested burglary protection. Assess their construction. Grilles must also preserve necessary rescue or ventilation functions.
Compare retrofit and replacement fully
Compare matching protection, counts and installation conditions. Identify planning, materials, labour and testing. Cheap fittings may need frame work; replacement may add finishing work.
Include travel, removal, disposal, finishes and maintenance. Self-installation or unknown transport are not free. General window prices do not automatically cover matching security specifications.
| Cost item | Compare |
|---|---|
| Components | Counts, configuration and evidence |
| Installation | Fitting and substrate |
| Extras | Transport, removal and disposal |
| Finish | Making good, testing and instruction |
Prepare the enquiry and acceptance
State assessment, retrofit or replacement, elements, location and known counts. A mixed list must include elements and quantities. Dimensions and material may need professional checking without replacing known counts.
At handover, test operation, locking, interfaces and agreed evidence. Clarify maintenance and contact responsibility. Building or use changes may need reassessment.
Frequently asked questions
Must I know the resistance class?
No. Describe use and elements; agree suitable configuration and evidence professionally.
Does a new lock classify the door?
Not automatically. The complete element and installation must match the tested configuration.
Is retrofitting always possible?
No. Condition, material and fixing must be suitable; compare replacement where needed.
Are ordinary shutters sufficient?
Not in general. Sun shading and tested burglary resistance are different properties.
Can I request mixed elements?
Yes. One list of types and actual counts is enough initially; technical details are checked later.
Are removal and disposal included?
Only if explicitly specified. Check finishing work and transport too.
