Are Window Locks as Important as Door Locks?
August 11, 2026
Yes. Windows are involved in a significant proportion of residential break-ins, and most homes have far more windows than doors, creating more potential entry points. Standard window latches provide privacy rather than security and can often be defeated in seconds. Keyed window locks, restrictor stays, and secondary locking devices bring window security closer to the standard of a properly locked door. Ground floor and rear-facing windows deserve the most attention.
Home security spending overwhelmingly goes to front doors. Deadbolts, high-security cylinders, reinforced strike plates, and security screens all get fitted to the door that faces the street. Meanwhile, the same house may have eight or ten windows secured only by the latch that came with them, several of which are at ground level, out of sight from the street, and openable in under thirty seconds by anyone who tries.
The imbalance is understandable. The front door feels like the entrance, and therefore the thing to protect. But a burglar is not looking for the entrance. They are looking for the easiest way in, and in many homes the windows are considerably easier than the door.
Why Standard Window Latches Are Not Security Devices
The latch fitted to most residential windows — a cam lock on an aluminium sliding window, or a cockspur handle on a casement window — is designed to hold the window closed and provide a degree of weather sealing. Security is not its primary design function.
Sliding window cam locks.
These engage a small hook into a keeper on the fixed frame. The engagement depth is minimal, and the components are typically light-gauge alloy. A sliding window can often be forced open by applying upward and lateral pressure simultaneously, disengaging the cam without breaking anything.
Cockspur handles on casement windows.
The handle rotates a small wedge into a keeper on the frame. On older aluminium windows the keeper is fixed with short screws into thin frame material. Levering the window frame outward at the handle point can pull the keeper free.
Sash window latches.
The traditional fitch fastener on a double-hung sash window can be released by slipping a thin blade between the meeting rails and rotating the catch. This is one of the oldest and simplest window entry methods and remains effective on unmodified sash windows.
Which Windows Matter Most
Not every window in a house carries the same risk, and security spending should be prioritised accordingly.
Ground floor windows out of public view.
Windows at the rear or side of a property, screened from the street by fencing or planting, are the highest priority. A burglar can work on these without being observed.
Windows adjacent to doors.
A window within arm's reach of a door's internal thumb turn or handle allows the door to be opened from inside once the window is breached, bypassing the door lock entirely.
Windows accessible from garden structures.
First floor windows reachable from a garage roof, a pergola, a wheelie bin, or a garden wall should be treated as ground floor windows for security purposes.
Bathroom and utility windows.
Often smaller and therefore assumed to be too small for entry, these are frequently left unlocked or fitted with the lightest hardware. Small windows are entry points for smaller people and for reaching through to open a larger adjacent window.
What Actually Improves Window Security
A keyed lock fitted to the window frame prevents the window being opened even if the standard latch is defeated. On sliding windows these fit to the track or frame. On casement windows they lock the opening sash to the fixed frame independently of the handle.
Restrictor stays.
These allow a window to open a limited distance for ventilation while preventing it opening fully. They are particularly useful for windows that need to be left open in warm weather, converting an open window from an entry point into a ventilation gap too small to pass through.
Secondary sliding window locks.
For aluminium sliding windows, a simple pin or bar in the track prevents the sash sliding even if the cam lock is defeated. Inexpensive and highly effective.
Laminated or security glazing.
Where the glass itself is the concern rather than the latch, laminated glass or security film holds the pane together when broken, preventing quick access through the opening.
The Fire Egress Consideration
Any window designated as an emergency escape route — typically bedroom windows in many building codes — must remain openable from inside without a key. Keyed window locks on bedroom windows create a risk in a fire if the key is not immediately available.
Where keyed window locks are fitted to bedroom windows, the key should be kept in a consistent, accessible location known to all occupants, close to the window but not visible or reachable from outside. This balances security against egress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do window locks actually deter burglars?
Visible secondary locking hardware signals that a property has been considered from a security perspective, which itself has deterrent value. More practically, a window with a secondary lock takes longer and requires more force to open, and noise and time are the two things most opportunistic burglars are least willing to accept.
Can window locks be fitted to any window type?
Locking solutions exist for aluminium sliding windows, timber and aluminium casement windows, double-hung sash windows, awning windows, and louvre windows. The hardware differs by type. A locksmith can assess which products suit the window styles in your property.
Are window locks expensive to fit across a whole house?
Per-window costs for keyed window locks are modest, and fitting is generally quick. Securing every window in an average home is typically a half-day job. Prioritising ground floor and accessible windows first spreads the cost while addressing the highest-risk points immediately.
What about windows with security screens already fitted?
A properly installed security screen to an appropriate Australian Standard provides substantial protection and reduces the need for additional window locking on that opening. The screen must be correctly fixed to the frame with tamper-resistant fasteners to provide this protection.
Should windows be locked when the house is occupied?
Ground floor windows out of view should be locked or restricted when not in use, including when the house is occupied. A significant proportion of residential burglaries occur while occupants are home, often through a window at the opposite end of the property from where people are.
Contact True Locksmith
on 0421-767-767
for window lock supply and installation across Bayside Melbourne. Neale can assess every opening in your property and recommend appropriate locking for each window type, balancing security against fire egress requirements. Over 30
years of experience. MLAA member and VIC Police registered. Serving Sandringham, Brighton, Brighton East, North Brighton, Beaumaris, Bentleigh, Black Rock, Caulfield, Cheltenham, Hampton, Highett, McKinnon, Mentone, Moorabbin, Mordialloc, and Parkdale.