Window and door security: what PAS 24 and Secured by Design actually mean
The two accreditations that separate serious security hardware from marketing spec. What insurers look for, and where to spend and where not to.
PAS 24: the baseline
PAS 24:2022 is the standard every replacement window and door in England should meet as a minimum. It certifies the finished unit — frame, glass, hardware, locking mechanism — has been tested against a defined attack: manipulation of the locks, glass impact, and forced entry using tools from a specified kit. Approved Document Q of the Building Regulations requires PAS 24 on new-build ground-floor and accessible openings, but it is now the reasonable minimum on any replacement project.
Secured by Design
Secured by Design (SBD) is a police-backed scheme that goes further. An SBD-accredited product has passed PAS 24 and is also independently verified by police design advisors, with additional attention to laminated glass, anti-snap cylinders, anti-lift hinges, and hook-bolt locking. Many insurers will discount a home insurance premium modestly for an SBD-accredited installation.
Security details that matter most
Prioritise cylinders. An anti-snap, anti-pick, anti-drill 3-star cylinder (TS 007) on every external door is one of the highest-impact security upgrades you can make. Specify laminated glass on any door sidelight or accessible ground-floor window because it resists sustained attack for far longer than toughened glass.
Do not choose smart locks unless you genuinely need the app features. A traditional 3-star cylinder is more secure than most smart products and needs no batteries.
Sometimes marginally. Secured by Design accreditation is more likely to trigger a discount — ask your insurer before you specify.
No. Toughened glass shatters into small pebbles when broken; laminated glass has a plastic interlayer that holds the pane together even when cracked, which is what deters forced entry.
