How To Make A Conservatory More Secure?

Many people have conservatories installed as an extension of their home. These additions are attractive and light-filled, and don’t cost nearly as much as ‘proper’ extensions‘. You can enjoy your garden from your armchair, use them as a second lounge, a dining room, or even a playroom for children. However, they should not be treated differently than other rooms in a house. They can be attractive to burglars.

Despite their beauty, conservatories can be a security risk. If you have a high-security house, extend it to your conservatory by extending an intruder alarm or CCTV system. You should also consider installing security lighting outside the conservatory. This can act as a deterrent for potential burglars and would-be thieves.

We take a look at some of the areas that could pose a security risk in conservatories below and how they can be made more secure.

Conservatories can be a security risk

While conservatories offer valuable extra space, they can also pose a security risk. An intruder can use a conservatory roofs to gain access to higher floors of a home, or windows to gain access to the house proper, or prize open or remove the large doors most conversatories are fitted with.

• To help prevent this from happening, ensure that the windows of your conservatory are properly locked and that the area is equipped with burglar alarms. Another way to improve security is to invest in high security toughened glass, which while boosting energy efficiency while also making your conservatory more secure.
• To improve your home’s security, make sure the locks on the doors are as secure as the locks on your front doors and garage.
• A conservatory’s sliding patio door is an attractive feature, but a common security risk is intruders forcing a tool or lever under the door runner and levering it off. Attractive and useful as they are they can pose a security risk.
• In order to make your conservatory more secure, install laminated glass. This is specially designed to resist breaking and entering. It can also be fitted on the inner pane of a sealed unit.
• In addition, consider installing an alarm system, which will not only reduce the risks but also give you peace of mind. It can also be a great deterrent. You’ll never know when someone may want to break in and make off with your property’s expensive belongings.
• If you’re worried about security, consider hiring a professional company. Independent websites will help you find a good conservatory builder. Regardless of your chosen company, conservatories must meet benchmark security standards like British Standard 7412 and British Standard 7950.

In addition to improving the aesthetic appeal of your home, conservatories are also an investment opportunity. When properly maintained, a conservatory can increase your home’s value by over 20%. Therefore, it’s important to consider safety and security when planning a conservatory.

They should meet the same security standards as your front door

Investing in a high-quality lock for your conservatory is essential to preventing burglary and other intruders. Most doors in conservatories are UPVC, but you can ensure that yours is safe from burglars by making sure the locking mechanisms are of high quality.

A good security lock for your conservatory should have an anti-snap or Euro cylinder lock. The lock should be at least three stars British Standard rated, or have a Sold Secure Diamond rating. For additional security, consider installing a CCTV system or even exterior security lighting with sensors. These measures are not only attractive when and if you come to sell your home but also effective deterrents.

A conservatory is a popular entry point for burglars, so it is important to invest in a high-quality build. Before purchasing a conservatory, research the reputation of the manufacturer or installer using Google or Trustpilot.

In addition, ask them to provide proof of meeting benchmark security standards. The British Standards 7950 and 7412 cover glazing security, mechanical loading, and human intervention and your builder and architect should be aware of them and able to discuss them with you.

They should be fitted with multi-point locking systems

A secure conservatory is as important to protect as any other part of the house. Choosing the correct locks for your conservatory is an essential part of security, and you should ensure that they meet the correct British Standards. For extra security you can also consider fitting door and window sensors, as well as alarm systems.

Because of this, bifold doors are a far less tempting target. Many bifold doors feature a hidden inline tracking system that makes them impossible to lift.

In addition to multi-point locking systems, you should also opt for these folding doors. These are fitted with shootbolts and multi-point locking systems. The locking systems are evenly distributed across the sliding track, warding off intruders.

If you’re looking for extra security, you could also consider installing double or triple-glazed doors. You can also choose from a wide variety of glass options for your conservatory. They also help with the prevention of condensation.

Bifold doors are less likely to be targets for thieves, so they should always be fitted with multi-point locking systems. Thieves usually target poorly constructed conservatories with unsecured windows and doors.

They should be fitted with toughened glass

When choosing the glass for your conservatory, you should look for toughened glass. Toughened glass is also known as tempered glass, safety glazing or laminated glass. It is usually stronger than ordinary float glass and is made to resist penetration by fire and abrasion.

• Toughened glass is ideal for areas where people may need greater strength from windows and doors. In addition, it will make your conservatory more secure against break-ins.
• Toughened glass is also safer in areas with high levels of traffic. It will break into smaller pieces, so less likely to cause serious injury if smashed. To make sure your conservatory is fitted with toughened glass, you should discuss the issue with your glass merchant.
• Toughened glass is stronger than laminated glass. While large areas of glass in a conservatory are attractive, it is also a potential safety risk.
• Toughened glass is made to resist impact and thermal shock, and you may want to choose security glass if necessary. In addition, it will slow down the effect of sun on fittings and furniture.
• Toughened glass is four times stronger than annealed glass. This means that if it breaks, it will shatter into a small granular piece. Toughened glass is also more durable, with a higher impact resistance than ordinary glass.

Make your Inside Door More secure.

Glass is of course eventually breakable, and conservatories are traditionally full of glass. If someone wants to to break a conservatory window it will at some point break and they will gain access. Limiting them to just accessing the conservatory is better than having access to the whole house.

The door leading to your house should be as difficult as your front door to break in, more so really as most break ins occur at the back of the house out of view of the street. If you do not have the alarm system in the actual conservatory make sure there are sensors at the door to the house and put up signs warning of alarms to add to the deterrent. (and dogs if you have them)

It is also possible to beef up the locks, glass and door strength here as well as on the actual outside doors to the conservatory, making it doubly difficult for any would be intruders.

It is possible to get track jammers ( these are long pieces or metal) that fit into sliding doors ( if you have them) and are a very cheap every effective way to stop sliding doors being opened from the outside. Make sure you measure the size before buying them as two small and it enables hands to reach round and remove them, and too big and they won’t fit of course.

Conclusion

Although the very nature of conservatories making them a more attractive target for thieves, being at the back of houses, made of glass etc. It doesn’t mean it has to be an open invitation to break in.

there are plenty of solutions available for securing conservatories, from expensive alarm systems to simple door jammers and even dogs! Make sure as well as planning how you will spend your days in your new home addition you also plan how to secure your conservatory as well.

Alarms, strengthened glass and simple security hacks for doors will make sure that the only people enjoying being in your conservatory are you and your family!