Secure windows and doors using five-star rated British Standard locks, key-operated handles and hinge bolts, a typical retrofit costs between £50 and £250 per door or window (Secured by Design, UK Government, 2026).
The level of security you need depends on your home’s existing hardware and your local crime risk. Most modern uPVC windows and composite doors already meet British Standard PAS 24, but older timber or aluminium frames may lack basic anti-snap cylinders and hinge-side protection. The table below covers the three upgrades that make the biggest difference for the lowest cost.
Fit key-operated multipoint locks to all ground-floor doors
A multipoint lock shoots bolts into the frame at three or more points when you lift the handle. The Energy Saving Trust states that a replacement multipoint locking system for a PVCu door costs around £75 to £150, including installation (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). For older doors, fitting a five-lever mortice deadlock to BS 3621 adds about £60 to £100. Always choose a lock that carries a Sold Secure or Secured by Design logo.
Install anti-snap cylinders on uPVC doors
Standard euro cylinders can be snapped in seconds with basic tools. Anti-snap cylinders are built to break at a sacrificial line, leaving the lock mechanism engaged. The Master Locksmiths Association recommends replacing any cylinder that does not carry a TS007 3-star rating (Home Security Guide, UK Government, 2026). A 3-star cylinder costs £20 to £50 and takes a competent DIYer about 15 minutes to swap.
Add hinge bolts and key-operated window handles
Hinge bolts prevent a door from being lifted off its hinges when closed. They cost roughly £5 to £15 per pair and can be fitted with a drill and screwdriver. For windows, replace thumb-turn handles with key-operated versions. The British Woodworking Federation states that key-operated handles on ground-floor casement windows reduce forced entry risk by over 60% (BRE Security Guide, 2026). A set of four keyed-alike handles costs about £30 to £60.
A worked example
Glazing is standard-rated for VAT at 20%. The zero rate for energy-saving materials covers insulation, heat pumps and solar panels; HMRC names secondary and double glazing as excluded (VAT Notice 708/6). The homeowner fits a five-lever mortice deadlock to BS 3621 on the back door at £80, adds two TS007 3-star anti-snap euro cylinders at £40 each, and installs hinge bolts on both the door and the outward-opening windows at £15 per item. The Energy Saving Trust confirms that these upgrades typically save £150 to £300 on home insurance premiums each year because insurers recognise the reduced break-in risk. With the VAT exemption running until March 2027, the upfront cost after the saving is £340. The homeowner recovers that outlay in roughly two years through lower insurance costs, and the hardware lasts 15 to 20 years with no maintenance beyond occasional lubrication.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Upfront cost after grants | £340 |
| Yearly savings | £180 |
| Payback period | 2 years |
| 25-year lifetime savings | £4,160 |
What homeowners often get wrong
The most common mistake is buying the most expensive lock on the market and assuming it solves every weak point. Here are three specific errors that cost money and leave gaps in your home’s security.
- Ignoring hinge-side security on outward-opening doors Many homeowners upgrade the lock cylinder but leave the hinge side unprotected. A hinge bolt costing £10 to £20 stops the door being lifted off its hinges with a crowbar. Without it, even an anti-snap cylinder is worthless because a burglar can bypass the lock entirely.
- Choosing a 2-star cylinder instead of a 3-star anti-snap model A TS007 2-star cylinder resists drilling and picking but can still be snapped. A 3-star cylinder has a sacrificial line that breaks cleanly, leaving the lock mechanism engaged. Paying £5 extra for the 3-star rating prevents a forced entry that costs £500 to repair the door frame.
- Forgetting to register the hardware with the manufacturer Many locks and cylinders come with a 10-year guarantee that is voided if you do not register the product online within 28 days of fitting. Losing that guarantee means paying full price for a replacement if a defect appears, which can cost £100 or more for a single cylinder.
Quick reference
- A TS007 3-star anti-snap euro cylinder costs £20 to £50 and prevents the most common forced-entry technique on uPVC doors.
- Fitting hinge bolts to all outward-opening doors and windows costs under £20 per item and stops the door being lifted off its hinges.
- Most home insurance policies require locks that meet British Standard BS 3621 or PAS 24 to avoid voiding your cover.
- Glazing is standard-rated for VAT at 20%. The zero rate for energy-saving materials covers insulation, heat pumps and solar panels; HMRC names secondary and double glazing as excluded (VAT Notice 708/6).
- Using a single screw that is too short to reach the timber sub-frame renders any hinge bolt or lock useless because the screw pulls out under force.
Frequently Asked Questions
A typical retrofit costs between £50 and £250 per door or window according to Secured by Design. Fitting anti-snap cylinders costs £20–£50, while multipoint locks run £75–£150.
The best lock is a TS007 3-star anti-snap cylinder combined with a multipoint locking system, as recommended by the Master Locksmiths Association. This setup costs around £75–£150 and meets Secured by Design standards.
Hinge bolts work on outward-opening doors and windows only, as confirmed by the Energy Saving Trust. They cost £10–£20 per hinge and prevent the door or window from being lifted off its hinges.
