Window and Door Security and Safety Features

Windows and doors are among the most vulnerable points in a home’s safety and security. When building a new home, it is essential to consider the right window and door styles and options to help protect against forced entry, severe storms and accidental breakage. These features can boost a home’s value and make it more attractive to potential buyers. Ply Gem windows and doors offer numerous solutions to reassure homeowners and enhance home protection. Below are key features and options that can be implemented in new builds to contribute to a safer home and greater homeowner peace of mind.

Forced Entry Resistance

All Ply Gem windows and doors undergo rigorous testing to ensure compliance with AAMA’s standards for forced-entry resistance (FER), providing homeowners with reliable security. Engineered for exceptional strength and long-lasting durability, reinforced frames can further increase structural integrity. Safety and security glass, innovative locks and locking systems can also be configured for enhanced protection.

Most Secure Window Styles

Because of their operation and locking mechanisms, different window styles can provide added protection.

• Casement & Awning Windows
  Hinged window styles feature multi-point locking systems that are embedded in the frame, making it very difficult for would-be intruders to access. The casement and awning sash is tightly secure with an easy-to-use lever that engages the lock in multiple places.
• Fixed Windows
  Non-operable picture windows and specialty-shaped windows limit access for potential threats. They are an ideal choice to install where light is needed, but no venting or egress is required.
• Double Hung, Single Hung and Sliding Windows
  While traditional sliding windows may seem less secure, they offer strong protection with FER sash hardware along with optional WOCD (Window Opening Control Devices) that are designed for anti-fall protection but can enhance security. Select Ply Gem series, like the Pro 200, features Autolock sash locks that automatically secure the sliding windows when the sash is closed.

Most Secure Patio Door Styles

Ply Gem offers sliding, multi-slide and hinged patio doors in a variety of materials. All doors are tested to meet forced entry requirements, with the hinged door edging out sliding styles when it comes to security.

Hinged Patio Doors
Hinged patio doors like the Ply Gem MIRA® French Patio Door are generally considered more secure than sliding patio doors because they typically feature multi-point locking systems that engage the frame at several locations. Unlike sliding doors that operate on rollers and tracks, hinged doors feature heavy-duty hinges that increase the door’s integrity. Their design also eliminates the risk of the door panel being lifted out of a track, while providing greater resistance to prying and forced-entry attempts when properly installed.

Sliding and Multi-Slide Patio Doors
For enhanced protection in a sliding patio door, look for a multi-point locking system and anti-lift blocks for enhanced security. The Ply Gem Perspective Multi-Slide Patio Door provides both features for added confidence.

• Multi-Point Locking Systems – Dual- or triple-point locking systems on sliding patio doors engage at several points across the door frame for a strong barrier against forced entry
• Anti-Lift Technology – Sliding doors that feature anti-lift blocks help prevent someone from physically lifting the door panel out of its frame from the outside.
• Self-Centering Interlock – Many sliding patio doors, including the Ply Gem 1500 Patio Door, feature a self-centering interlock that enhances patio door security by establishing a more stable connection between door panels and reducing flex. The interlock is designed to resist panel separation and maintain the door’s integrity even under significant force. Additionally, it distributes applied force more evenly along the height of the door instead of just the lock, improving overall forced-entry resistance and meeting FER standards.

Glass Options Improve Window Security

Glass plays a major role in window and door safety and security. With today’s glass technology, builders have more options than ever to improve a home’s overall protection.

Laminated Glass
Laminated glass is the preferred choice for increasing the security and safety of windows and doors. It features a strong interlayer bonded between two panes of glass. Even when broken, the glass remains bonded to the interlayer, helping keep the opening intact. The PVB interlayer is extremely difficult to break through even with repeated blows, making it a superior barrier against forced entry.

Laminated glass is also incorporated into impact-resistant products to guard against hurricane-strength winds and airborne debris. Its ability to remain intact during severe weather helps preserve the building envelope and shields homes from catastrophic damage.

Tempered Glass
Tempered glass is four times stronger than standard glass and is commonly used in areas where building codes require safety glazing. When broken, it is designed to break into small, less dangerous pieces rather than larger, sharp shards.

Privacy Glass
Limiting visibility into a home can improve both safety and security. Patterned and obscure glass offers increased privacy while still allowing natural light to enter.

Additional Window and Door Security Tips for Homeowners

Always point new homeowners to optional security features that can further help protect their home. Homeowners can increase the security of their windows and doors by integrating sensors with their home security systems for real-time alerts, installing motion-sensor lighting that activates when movement is detected near entry points, and ensuring that all windows and doors are securely closed and locked when leaving home or at night.

For builders looking to distinguish their homes for potential buyers, safety and security should be a top priority. Whether you’re building in a coastal community, a residential area or a custom-built home market, Ply Gem Windows & Doors provides solutions designed to help protect what matters most.

Discover Ply Gem windows and doors, and explore the safety and security features and options available.