9 tips for choosing a child's castle on the window

At the sight of his child on the windowsill, any parent has panic, and the higher the floor, the greater the panic. Even a 2-year-old baby can open the sash of a modern double-glazed window, so the windows must be modernized with the help of special locks and locks. Most of them allow you to freely open the sashes for ventilation, but do not allow the kids to open them. You don’t have to change windows, and the duration of the castle installation procedure ranges from several minutes to half an hour, depending on the design. We figure out how to choose the right child lock for windows and which type will be preferable in a particular situation.

No. 1. Types of locks on windows

Locks on windows are sufficient simple and inexpensive designs that can be installed on all types of windowsat least plasticat least wooden. They allow you to make the window safe for the baby, bring peace to parents, and at the same time increase burglar resistance of the window – the thieves outside they will not be able to open the lock. Often locking structures are also installed by owners pets.

According to the principle of operation and the installation site, the locks are divided into several types:

• handles with a lock or button;
• overhead locks;
• mortise locks;
• blockers;
• cable locks.

Is there some more socket lock or cap, in which there is no locking mechanism, but the design has the same function - to prevent the child from opening the window on his own. Some also refer to locking mechanisms and comb-type window stop, but its use is doubtful - almost any baby will be able to fold such a limiter and open the sash.

No. 2. Handle with lock

Some parents use the most budgetary and at the same time the most inconvenient way to protect windows - they just unscrew the handle. No handle - no way to open a window. Cheap and cheerful. After a couple of weeks of using this method, all its disadvantages and inconveniences, which you can guess about, will come out. It’s better to spend a little money, but get a really convenient design to operate.

A handle with a lock is one of the most popular and effective ways to secure a window structure. The usual handle is changed to a special one with a built-in lock, and it can be activated only with a key. The sash can be fixed in the open, closed and tilted position - the window functionality does not disappear anywhere, the sash can be opened and closed only after the key is inserted into the lock. The only negative - you have to carry the keys with you and use them even when you need to open the window for ventilation.

Some manufacturers make the keys bright enough, because at first, according to the collected statistics, many parents forget the keys in the window handle.

A kind of handle with a lock - pen with button. The principle of operation is the same: to turn the knob, you must press the button. It is pressed hard enough, so the child, even the strongest, will not succeed. Plus for adults - no need to look for keys and carry them with you.

Install a new pen instead of an old one is easy - almost everyone can handle it.You will need to turn the plug, unscrew the bolts hidden under it, remove the old handle, insert a new one, tighten the bolts and close it all with a plug. The new handle is inserted in the same position as the old one. Nothing complicated. With minimal experience, this is 10 minutes.

No. 3. Padlock

A child’s window lock built into the handle complicates the ventilation process, and if this is critical for you, it’s best to install an overhead lock. Its main advantage is that even without a key, the sash can be folded overletting fresh air into the apartment.

The padlock consists of two elements: the main part with the locking mechanism is attached to the bottom of the leaf, the second block with the tongue is mounted on the frame. The key is needed only to fully open the window.

Installation this design should not cause any problems for those who know how to handle drill. First, the places where the elements of the lock will be fixed are marked on the sash and frame, and then holes are made for them, after which they are fastened with bolts. All necessary elements and parts are usually supplied complete with a lock.

Number 4. Mortise lock

As the name of the construction suggests, a mortise lock differs from an invoice only in that it elements are hidden in the sash and frame. It is impossible to guess its presence, the aesthetics of the window do not deteriorate, and the functionality completely coincides with the functionality of the padlock, i.e. You can also fold the sash without a key. True, for this it will be necessary to install the structure at the bottom of the window.

Mounting mortise window locks are somewhat more complicated than all the others. The contractor will need training and the availability of professional tools. Milling in the sash is performed under one part of the lock. To do this, use a special milling machine, which must be very accurately and accurately cut a niche of the same size as the locking mechanism. The frame is perforated with the subsequent installation of the keyhole. In order not to spoil the appearance of the window and provide the required functionality to the lock, it is better to turn to a professional for help.

No. 5. Lock

Usually locks-locks (or locks) are called ordinary mortise, overhead or handle-mounted locks or buttons. Some manufacturers mean completely different designs by blockers. This is not even a lock, but rather a latch, and it is recommended that they be placed several at once on the sides and on top of the window. The design is attached to the sash, and when the “tongue” is lowered, it does not interfere with opening and folding the window. If you turn the movable elements of the latch, the window can be tightly closed. The child will not be able to open all the elements - they are fixed very tightly and high. There are also locks, where the fixation is due to the button or key.

In terms of convenience and functionality, such latches are inferior to other children's locks on windows, but they are very cheap and easy to install. Another nuance is the appearance of the window with the locks: not everyone may like the visibility of these elements.

No. 6. Plug or socket lock

The name of the castle-sockets is somehow not very safe. The design was named in a similar way, since they saw a resemblance to the operation of any electrical device. It is enough to insert a special removable handle into the laid hole so that the window “works”. This hole on the frame is aesthetically covered by a special plug. The child will have no chance to open the window, since the handle will be hidden by the parents. The sash can be fixed in any position. The main minus is that the pen must be carried with you or hidden in the most unpredictable place so that the baby does not find it. Such a solution will cost minimal waste, but is suitable mainly for plastic windows.

Installation is easy to do on your own.Instead of the old handle and plug, a new decorative plug is mounted, moreover, on one bolt so that it can be rotated and a removable hand is inserted.

Number 7. Cable lock

A cable lock resembles typical bicycle locks. One part of the structure with a locking mechanism is attached to the sash, the second to the frame, between them is a cable. The cable length is chosen so that it is possible to open the window for ventilation, but at the same time it would be impossible to open it. It is better to choose removable locks that allow you to get rid of the cable and fully open the window if you have a key.

Cable locks are the most popular installation option on sliding window structures. It simply does not allow the sash to open wider than provided.

Number 8. Additional room protection

The castle not only eliminates the risk of falling from the window, but also is an additional protection against illegal access to the room. Even if there are no children at home, it is better to install the castle to the owners of apartments located on the first and last floors, as well as near trees, common balconies and roofs of other buildings, from where it is easy to get to the window.

No. 9. Window lock manufacturers

When it comes to the safety of children and an apartment, it’s better not to save money, since the small amount saved does not compensate for the sad consequences of installing low-quality locking hardware. Locks on windows are made by many companies, but it is better to give preference the largest and most established:

• MACO - A large Austrian company that produces handles with a lock and buttons. All metal elements pass anticorrosion treatment, therefore, the manufacturer gives a long guarantee on the mechanism;
• Baby safe lock It produces mainly overhead locks, which are simply mounted and provide opening of the window in ventilation mode. The block can have white or brown color, and the key differs in the holder of red color - you cannot forget it in the lock. The lock can be installed on any type of profile;
• Roto - A German company that develops window locks of various designs, but most of all in the range of special handles with locks. It is possible to manufacture castle elements on an individual order;
• Jackloc produces cable locks and handle locks, all of them have a high margin of safety;
• Penkid - Turkish locks for sliding windows, have an excellent price / quality ratio.

In conclusion

The desire to save money leads craftsmen to invent home-made window locks. Usually these are metal chains. Sometimes used for protection Mosquito nets and combs: these elements have completely different tasks, so they won’t be able to provide the baby with the necessary safety. Special locks with an elaborate design are not so expensive to risk the life and health of the baby.