PAS 24 window security rating explained

PAS 24 window security rating explained

If you are replacing windows, you may have seen the term “PAS 24” and wondered whether it is worth paying extra for. This standard is the most common security benchmark for UK windows, but it is not always a legal requirement.

A PAS 24 window typically costs £150–£400 more per window than a standard equivalent, according to the Glass and Glazing Federation 2026 market report (Glass and Glazing Federation, 2026). That premium buys enhanced locks, reinforced hinges, laminated or toughened glass, and multi-point locking systems.

This article explains what PAS 24 tests, what it costs, and when you need it for your home.

PAS 24 is the UK’s most common security standard for new and replacement windows, here is what it tests

PAS 24:2022 is the current version of the standard, published by the British Standards Institution (BSI). It is referenced in Approved Document Q of the Building Regulations, which covers security in new dwellings (GOV.UK Approved Document Q, 2026).

The test simulates forced entry attempts using manual tools such as screwdrivers, crowbars, and hammers over a timed period. A window must resist a defined sequence of attacks without the lock disengaging or the frame being breached.

PAS 24 does NOT test for glass breakage resistance. That is covered separately by BS EN 156, which tests security glazing against sustained impact (BRE, 2026).

The price premium for PAS 24 varies by frame material (uPVC, aluminium, timber) and opening style (casement, tilt-and-turn, sliding). uPVC windows tend to carry a lower premium, while timber and aluminium frames cost more to reinforce.

Quick numbers PAS 24 performance ratings and costs at a glance

Some UK insurers offer 5–15% reductions on buildings cover for PAS 24 windows, according to Association of British Insurers guidance (Association of British Insurers, 2026). You must provide written proof of certification to claim the discount.

A PAS 24 rating is NOT a legal requirement for most window replacements, but it may be required by your local authority

Building Regulations Approved Document Q (security) applies to new-build homes and some change-of-use conversions, not routine replacements (GOV.UK Approved Document Q, 2026). If you are simply replacing like-for-like windows, you are not legally required to meet PAS 24.

However, many local planning authorities condition PAS 24 compliance for replacement windows in conservation areas or listed buildings. Check with your council before ordering.

Insurance policy terms may also require PAS 24 windows as a condition of cover in high-crime postcodes (Financial Conduct Authority insurance product information database, 2026). Mortgage lenders may specify PAS 24 for properties in flood-risk or high-theft areas (UK Finance mortgage lending criteria, 2026).

How to check if your existing windows already meet PAS 24 without buying a test kit

Look for a permanent label or etching on the frame, hinge, or glass edge showing “PAS 24:2022” or “BS 7950” (a predecessor standard). BS 7950 was the earlier security standard for windows, replaced by PAS 24.

Check the manufacturer’s documentation or original installation certificate. PAS 24 compliance must be certified by a UKAS-accredited test house (UKAS, 2026).

If no label exists, contact the window manufacturer (if known) or check the MCS, BBA, or UKAS register for certified products. A visual inspection of hardware (multi-point locks, shoot bolts, security hinges) is NOT sufficient. Only a certified test confirms compliance.

comparison of window security grades

The eligibility rule for PAS 24 grants and insurance discounts certification must be from a UKAS-accredited body

Government schemes such as the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) and the Great British Insulation Scheme do NOT directly fund security upgrades. PAS 24 windows are only eligible if part of a wider energy-efficiency installation (Ofgem ECO4 guidance, 2026).

Insurance discounts require written proof from the installer that the windows meet PAS 24:2022. A verbal assurance is not accepted by insurers.

Local authority home improvement grants, such as the Disabled Facilities Grant, may fund PAS 24 windows if they improve home security for vulnerable occupants (GOV.UK Disabled Facilities Grant eligibility, 2026).

Landlord licensing schemes in some areas, particularly London boroughs, mandate PAS 24 windows for rental properties. Check your local council’s selective licensing conditions.

How to verify an installer’s PAS 24 certification, the only three registers that matter

MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) covers energy-efficiency installers. It does NOT certify PAS 24, though some MCS-registered firms also hold relevant security accreditations.

TrustMark is the government-endorsed quality scheme. Installers must be TrustMark-registered to carry out work under many grant schemes, but TrustMark itself does not verify PAS 24 (TrustMark, 2026).

The correct verification route is to ask for the installer’s UKAS-accredited test certificate for the specific window model. Check the certificate number on the UKAS website or the manufacturer’s product register.

Gas Safe Register and FENSA are irrelevant to PAS 24. Gas Safe covers gas appliances. FENSA covers building regulations for replacement windows but not security performance (FENSA, 2026).

how to choose a certified window installer

If you are unsure whether PAS 24 applies to your home, ask your local authority building control department or your insurer directly. They will tell you the specific requirements for your property and postcode.