If you are weighing up new windows and wondering, are uPVC windows secure, the short answer is that modern ones are very secure indeed. The security comes from the locks, hinges and glass working together rather than the frame material alone. Here is what actually keeps a window safe, and what to look for when you buy.
The biggest jump in window security over the last couple of decades has been in the locks. A modern uPVC window uses a multipoint locking system, which drives several bolts or mushroom cams into the frame when you turn the handle. Because the window is held shut in several places at once, it cannot be levered open at a single weak point.
A few things to check on the locking:
If your existing handles are stiff, wobbly or no longer lock properly, that is worth putting right. We handle window and door repairs across York, including replacement handles and worn locking gear.
Hinges are the quiet heroes of window security. Good windows use restrictor hinges and, importantly, hinges designed to resist the sash being lifted or forced out of the frame. Some are fitted with anti-lift features so the opening part cannot simply be jemmied off its pivots. On older windows, tired hinges are a common weak point, and swapping them is usually a small job.
Two glazing details make a real difference:
Together, these mean the glass is rarely the easy route in that people assume.
You do not have to take a maker's word for it. Independent schemes test and rate window security, and seeing one of these is a good sign:
Treat these as helpful guidance rather than a cast-iron guarantee, and remember that standards get updated over time. If security is a priority, ask specifically whether a window meets a current recognised standard. You can see the specifications across our uPVC windows in York range, and our casement windows are a popular secure choice for local homes.
When comparing quotes, run through this:
Get most of those and you have a genuinely secure window rather than one that only looks the part.
Around York we see plenty of windows from the 1990s and early 2000s that were fine in their day but now have basic locks and worn hinges. If yours are of that vintage, either a security upgrade or replacement is worth considering, especially on ground floor and rear windows that are easier to reach. Newer builds around the ring road usually already have modern multipoint locking, but it is still worth checking the handles lock properly.
Prices vary with size, glazing and style, so treat these as broad 2026 guides. A supplied and fitted uPVC casement window often lands somewhere around 400 to 900 pounds each, with larger or specially glazed units costing more. Upgrading handles or hinges on an existing window is usually a modest job. For numbers based on your home, ask us for a quote.
Yes. Modern uPVC windows use multipoint locking, anti-lift hinges and tough glazing, which together make them very secure. The frame material matters less than the locks, hinges and glass fitted to it.
A multipoint locking system with a key-locking handle is the standard to aim for. It bolts the sash to the frame in several places, so the window cannot be forced open at one point.
Laminated glass is a strong choice, especially on ground floor windows, because it holds together when cracked and cannot be pushed out quietly. Toughened glass is also much stronger than ordinary glass.
It is a police-backed scheme that recognises products tested to a set security standard. Seeing it on a window is a good sign, though it is best treated as helpful guidance rather than an absolute guarantee.
They can be, if the locks are basic and the hinges are worn. Windows from the 1990s or early 2000s often benefit from upgraded locking, new hinges or replacement, particularly on accessible windows.
Want to compare secure styles side by side? Download our latest brochure, or request a free quote and we will pop out for a look.