This is a locksmith fremantle guide on how tosecure sliding window locks and the tools you will need.Approximate costs (both DIY and locksmith fees) are given inAustralian dollars. I will also provide some extra security tipsand advice on double checking your insurance policy fineprint.Many new sliding windows have key locking latches alreadyinstalled. Some allow the window to be locked slightly open forventilation. If your home has these window locks they are usuallysecure enough to keep your insurance company happy. If your homehas only a simple non-locking latch, you should secure them with akey-locking sliding window lock or a window grill.Installing window locks yourself will cost AUD$15-$20 per window.Having these locks supplied and installed by a locksmith will cost$40-$50 per window.Window grills vary greatly in price depending on the size of thewindow and the style of the grill but probably the average is$150-$200 per window.Most insurance policies require either a key-locking window lock orsecurity grill. This is sometimes in the fine print. If you don'thave one of these forms of security you may be giving yourinsurance company an easy way to deny your claim and you will bewasting the money you pay on your insurance premium.Sliding window locks are often called vent locks as they allow thewindow to be locked slightly open for ventilation. The recommendedgap is 100mm but never have more than 150mm. The theory is that ifa head can get through a window, a person can squeezethrough.The venting position is not as secure as when the window is shutand locked. Therefore you should only leave your windows lockedopen you are at home.To install sliding window locks, you need the followingtools:Cordless drillSharp 2mm drill bitSharp 8mm drill bitScrewdriverSliding windows can be lifted to varying degrees within theirtrack. If you are using the venting position it is a good idea tofit something in the track to stop the window from being lifted.Small blocks of wood or plastic or just a screw can be used. Iffitted correctly, this can make the window a lot more secureespecially when locking the window in the open position.Window grills provide very good security and ventilation. Windowscan be left open even if you are not home. Window grills arerelatively expensive so best fitted in bedrooms, bathrooms,kitchens or areas requiring good ventilation.If a window lock is correctly installed, the glass would need to bebroken or a considerable amount of force used to get the windowopen.Police estimates indicate that roughly 40% of home invasions andbreak-ins occur without actually having to break anything - thatare, no force is required to gain entry to the home.Does this surprise you?Think about your own home. How many exterior doors and windows doyour home have? Do you appropriately close all of them when youhead to work? How about at night before going to sleep?Home invasion has become a common crime these days. At best, a homeinvasion will leave you with a loss of valuable, or perhaps prizedand sentimental property. At worst, you may find yourself thevictim of the assault from an unwary burglar you have interrupted.You may find yourself seriously injured.To avoid home invasions, and to tighten the security of your home,you must therefore take proper care in locking doors and windowsaround your house. There are many points that should be considered,particularly when you are choosing locks or the type of windows.Some important things you might want to consider are -Sliding windows: A Burglar inviteMost old models of sliding windows are a cinch to remove - evenwhen they are locked. You could probably do it yourself - just takethe window off its frame. Burglars who do this professionally canget rid of a sliding window in a matter of mere minutes, not makingthe tiniest sound in the process.

There are numerous types of front door designavailable depending on a home's needs. These can be customizedaccording to one's personal preferences and style. A few criteriafor these selections includes size, style, and material of thefront door.For example, materials which make up a front door can range fromwood to fiberglass to steel to vinyl. Depending on your needs,different considerations for the material can be taken intoaccount. Wood doors will need additional maintenance but providemore in terms of appearance and style. Steel and vinyl doors on theother hand are good for security and cost-efficiency, but theydon't look as good.One important thing to consider when picking a front door design isthe style of your house. If you have a country-themed or moremodern style of house, choosing a door that is steel or vinyl mightlook out of place. So in these cases, it makes more sense to pick awood style door.On the other hand, if you live in an area where security orneighborhood safety is a concern, such as a big city or a less thandesirable part of the city, steel doors are an excellent front doorto pick. These provide great security and protection at anaffordable rate, provided you pick a reputable door provider.Another consideration when selecting a door for the entrance toyour house is whether or not you want to let light in. If your doorfaces the sun and you don't want your house to get really hotduring the day, it's best to pick a door that blocks out the lightand doesn't have front glass paneling. By contrast, if your door isin a shady area, glass doors look good and let in a little bit oflight for the front parlor area of the home, making it moreattractive.Of course size is always a consideration when selecting a frontdoor design. Your door must fit in the entry corridor depending onthe measurements the house has been built with. Before purchasingany door, make sure it will fit in the selected area.If you have questions about what type of door you should pick, ithelps to do some research online. Usually search results will yieldcompanies that can not only provide you with a door, but can alsoadvise you in what type of door will work best for your entryway.In fact, they may even have someone come out to look at your houseand see what type of door might work and provide an attractive,affordable selection.Ultimately what should be taken into account when picking a door isthe cost, the size of your house, the position in which the housefaces, and what security and durability concerns you have. To makean educated and cost-efficient decision, you should make a list ofall these criteria and then go over it carefully with your spouseor whoever owns the house with you.The front door of a house assumes tremendous significance as itreflects the tastes and preferences of those dwelling within thehouse. While building your home, it would be nice to pay attentionto the look and appeal factor of your front door. These days youcan choose from a range of front door designs for your home. Hereare some tips on how to select the front door designs.The basic thing to bear in mind when you are searching for doordesigns is that your door should be in harmony with the overallstyle and form of your entire house. If the blend is improper, thenhowever attractive you try and make your door, it will still standout in an inappropriate manner in relation to the rest of yourhome. Take a simple example. If your entire house has a classicallook to it and you go in for a door design which is morecontemporary in look, then however beautiful the door may be initself, it would look odd in relation to your home. Similar casesof non-blending of the door with the overall house could be use ofcontrasting colors or materials. Hence, your objective should be toensure that your door complements the overall aesthetic look ofyour home and uplifts it in a positive manner.

If you've been thinking of treating your hometo some new wooden front doors, you've probably already given somethought to the major details.The shape of your doors, the color, and the type of wood all needto be decided on early.However, once you have a general idea of how your new wooden frontdoors will look, you can begin to think about the smaller detailsand design elements that will truly make them your own.Depending on the style of your home exterior, rustic and vintagedesign elements can make wonderful additions.Such adornments usually bring iron or steel features that bothcontrast with and complement the already attractive natural woodfinish. They also bring a real, tactile taste of the past to your21st century home.From gothic to farmhouse, and Victorian to Prohibition era, therustic or vintage design elements you might install are limitedonly by your imagination.Vintage doorknockers and handlesUnless you're happy for anyone to enter your home whenever theylike, your wooden front doors are going to need handles.However, the style is completely up to you. Modern vintage orVictorian style door handles are available, and provide thesecurity of state-of-the-art locking mechanisms with the classiclook of the period.Made of solid metal, they'll enhance the look of your solid woodenfront doors without compromising the security they give.For those who wish to make a real statement, matching door knockersare also available. Although perhaps more of an ornamental featurethan your handles, their unnecessary nature just adds to thedecorative effect.Speakeasy, hard as nailsBecause wood has long been the best material to use for exteriordoors, it's on wooden front doors that many of the most iconicvintage design elements work best.The mere mention of the word 'speakeasy' brings up images of a timelong since past, and the inclusion of metal speakeasies on woodenfront doors brings those images to life.A forged iron grill hidden behind a small flap, speakeasies areseldom needed in the modern era. However, as a vintage designelement, they bring a taste of the past that few other ornamentaladditions can.Clavos are another purely decorative rustic metal addition to yourexternal doors. Heavy duty nails, made from iron or steel, clavoscan be round, square, or diamond-shaped. Whichever style youchoose, the effect will be of a tough, rustic door with morecharacter than most.Gothic glass and vintage metalShould you decide to add windows to your wooden front doors,vintage metal can again be used for a rustic or even gothiclook.Leaded glass windows can be made in almost any design to suit anyhome exterior or personal taste, and the windows themselves can besmall and subtle, or the main feature of the door.Black wooden front doors have an inherent vintage look, and it'sthe smaller details that can direct this towards the Victorian orthe gothic. Colors and shapes in the glass play a part in this;especially when combined with the right metal door handles andknockers.However you decide to add rustic or vintage design elements to yourwooden front doors, the right balance should be always found.Combining a few of the elements here will have a bigger impact thanusing just one, but incorporating too many will be overkill.Which to include is up to you, but choosing the right ones willgive your wooden front doors a real touch of rustic, Victorian,gothic, or simply timeless vintage class.The very first impression that other people will acquire from yourhome comes from your very own front door. For this reason, it isimportant that your door shows appeal and is of sound structure.There is a rich supply in the varieties of designs and materialsfrom which you can choose the door which perfectly suits yourdesired needs and purposes.

Studies have shown that natural light improvesmoods, reduces eyestrain and even creates the illusion ofspaciousness. A home filled with natural light not only appearsbigger but is more pleasant to live in. Short of building a glasshouse, how do homeowners facilitate as much natural light in theirhomes as possible?Windows are a fantastic way of allowing sunlight to in but thewindow design you select is key. Some window designs are bettersuited to the facilitation of natural light than others so it isimportant that you keep this in mind when discussing your plans forthe inclusion of new windows in your home.Window Design StylesThere are several styles of windows from which to choose here are afew of the most popular:Bay - These large windows are traditionally made of three windows,one large window flanked by smaller windows. A window seat under abay window is heavenly.Double-hung - This classic window design style has an outside sashthat slides up and down and an inside sash that slides up. Thisstyle of window allows a lovely breeze in as well as facilitatesnatural light.Casement - Casement windows are usually hung in pairs and mountedon hinges that allow the sash to swing in or out (depending on whatyou prefer).Bow - These windows are similar to bay windows but have more thanthree panels which join to form a gentle curve.Tilt-turn - This window design is popular in Europe, these unusualwindows tilt in towards the room at the top and also turn a full180 degrees - excellent for easy cleaning.Jalousies - This window design is comprised of many slats of glassthat open and close. Jalousies windows are extremely similar toVenetian blinds.Skylight - This window design is perfect for small rooms wherenormal windows would be overwhelming. Skylights are essentiallywindows which are fitted at an angle rather than vertically,usually through the ceiling or roof.Fixed - As these windows can not be opened their sole purpose is toallow light in.Stained glass - This window design is popular in Victorian inspiredhomes around the world. Patterns are made from different pieces ofcoloured glass and the sparkle of different coloured beams of lighthas a wonderful effect.Window Design ConsiderationsBefore finalising your window design ideas you need to take a fewthings into consideration.The design of your home - you'll want the design of your windows tofit into the overall design of your home. Rounded windows may looka little obscure when fitted into a really tall wall just as overlylarge windows may be inappropriate in a small home. Select a windowdesign that can be used through your home to achieve a consistentdesign theme. Incorporating a large variety of window designs maybe overpowering. Window design should be complimentary neveroverwhelming.The climate you live in also has to be taken into consideration -if you live in a cold or noisy area you may want to fitdouble-glazed windows but not all window designs are well suited tothis type of treatment. Make sure you get all the informationyou'll need to make wise window design choices from your windowsupplier.Letting the Sun InFilling your home with natural light is easy with the correctwindow design selection. Another way of facilitating natural lightis to always keep your windows clean. For homeowners who don'tfancy spending weekends balanced Self-Cleaning Glass is a definitemust. Self-cleaning glass is making life far easier and is givinghome owners many reasons to use glass in the construction of theirhomes. What could be better than bright, open rooms with excellentoutdoor views facilitated by huge glass sheets, without having tospend your days cleaning the glass?

Want to give a room a beautiful look withoutchanging much of it interior? Then how about using decorativewindow glass? Decorative window glasses are available in manystyles, designs and colors.The best thing about these glasses is that they are extremely easyto install and maintain. They can be installed in any room,including kitchen, bathrooms and lobby to create a sense of privacyas well as ambience. Hotels and restaurants also use themextensively as well as stores and shops.However, the most extensive use of decorative window glass is inhomes. They create partition between two parts of the house withoutmaking it too congested and dark. Transparent and translucent glasscreates a sense of space, provides ample light, while creatingpartition. Hence, these are great for kitchens and bathroom.However, decorative window glasses are not just for cosmeticpurposes. Frosted and tinted glass can also keep you healthy. Mostpeople think that while indoors, they don't have to worry abouttheir skin. But experts tell us that the sunlight coming from ourwindows and glass doors is enough to harm us. These days, specialglass is available that can stop harmful UV rays from entering yourhome. This can not only keep you and your family's skin young, butalso reduce the risk of various skin diseases, including skincancer.In addition, this type of glass also helps to keep your home cooland clean. It stops the sunlight from entering your home and hencereduces the affect of outer heat. You can save a lot of money onair conditioning during those scorching summer months and also helpthe environment by reducing your energy consumption. They keep yourhouse clean by ensuring that you get a good view of the outerworld, while stopping bugs and dirt from entering your home.Therefore, if you are want to create a healthy atmosphere in yourhome without making the space look small and closed, and thenchoose designer window glass. You can choose the color and designof the glass according to the interior of the house. For example,if you have an earthy and informal feel to a room, you can usefrosted colorless color to compliment the room.Decorative window glasses have become a rage in interior designing.The sheer number of designs and versatility that they provide hasmade them a favorite of people who want a classy, beautifulhome.While designing your windows, you should give special care andattention to the window glass. With the right kind of window glass,you can give a new and fashionable look to any room in your house.The most important thing about your windows design is that theyshould add to the beauty of your room and not over power it.Here are some common mistakes made while choosing window glass forhomes:1. Too dark: The window glass should not be too dark in colorbecause it might make your room look very dark and gloomy. If youwant to reduce the excess sunlight, then you should try to use thereflective glass that keeps the sun's heat and harmful rays out,while allowing the light to go inside the room.2. Wrong color: The color of the window glass should match theentire room. You can use different combination and mix-match theshades, but the make sure that the color doesn't clash with or overpowers the furniture and upholstery in the room.3. Bad pattern: When you will go to the window glass store, thesalesperson may try to sell you many "unique" and "latest" designs.Always remember that salesperson try to push on the designs whichgive them the greatest profit. But you should always choose apattern that suits your house and looks beautiful. Don't go by thelatest trend or what the salesperson says.4. Fragile built: This is really important, especially if you havesmall children at home. The glass should be strong enough to takeimpact and not shatter easily. A fragile window mirrors cannot onlybe a waste of money, but can also prove to be dangerous for you andyour family.

When looking at the vast range of doorsavailable on the market from all the various suppliers, one can'thelp being amazed at the popularity attached to oak. As a timberoption in home design, oak crops up everywhere in doors, floors,kitchens, furniture and staircases. All of them are dominated byoptions in oak.Oak does a clever marketing job for the timber industry of today.Like the well-known toothpaste, oak has that ring of confidence inrespect of its quality, its durability and its tradition. Is thatwhy it is so popular when it comes to our choice of wooden items?Add all of the permutations of oak that the publicity machines havegenerated and you're obviously on a winner. Light oak, dark oak,golden oak, antique oak, blond oak, brushed oak, and distressedoak. The list goes on.Whilst there are a number of oak species that are used in thecommercial world, most of the oak finishes described above havebeen achieved using stains to change the base colour into somethingthat does not grow naturally.We are sometimes asked, "Can you show us the colour of your oak?"That's a toughie! Oak is one of the most beautiful naturallygrained timbers in appearance, but it's not a single colour, it's asubtle combination of browns, tans, golds and dark yellows thatcreate a unique natural vision. Each piece of oak has its ownindividual characteristics.Have you noticed how oak doors have become more affordable now thanthey used to be? Oak has not suddenly become much cheaper as a rawmaterial. Developments in manufacturing techniques mean that doorsare being constructed more and more using composite cores such asMDF or particle board made of re-constituted wooden material madefrom lower cost species, which are then faced with oak veneers andlipped with solid oak around the perimeter. The doors are stillsolid and weighty in nature, but their actual oak content mightonly represent 15% of the total mass of the door depending on thedesign.Whilst that might sound as if you have been short changed whenmaking your purchase, remember that by using these composite cores,the manufacturer has radically improved the performance of the doorin use by producing a stable product that is less likely to deformby way of warping and twisting, and they may have made a widervariety of options available to you by removing much of the costattached to using the solid oak throughout. Additionally thereduction in the amount of oak used in the door means that avaluable resource is being used conserved. Oak used in most doorsis harvested from managed forests to ensure that it will beavailable for generations to come.You might come across 'oak effect' products. Sometimes, these aremanufactured using timbers that are similar in appearance to oak.Chinese ash and the delightfully named Kembang Semangkok, knownmore commonly as KSK, are sometimes substituted for real oak tofurther reduce costs.When choosing a door, check the specification of the product beingoffered to you to see how it is constructed and what species areinvolved. It is all a matter of judgement as a cheaper door mayappear more attractive from a cost saving point of view, but itwill not probably last as long as a more expensive door, nor retainits appearance over time.Changing a door is not something undertaken lightly and it is notto be done too often, so go for the best quality, and down theyears oak doors have proven their value by retaining theirappearance over time and adding a comforting feature to any roomsetting.In recent times, interior oak doors have increasingly gainedpopularity amongst homeowners. This is partly due to the fact thatthey are durable and tend to last a long time, not forgetting theirexquisite ornate designs which make these doors a style statementin whichever home they are used in.

If you are renovating your home andconsidering new replacement windows, you have several great stylesto choose from these days, including beautiful casement windows.You know these windows: they're attached to their frames by hinges(usually on the side) and open by way of a crank or a lever(usually at the bottom) that also serves as the window'slock.Casement windows have been around a long time-as long as poets havebeen writing about them you could say. But modern casement windowsare more than just a thing of beauty. They're a smart choice. Infact, I see a number of terrific benefits to choosing casementwindows over other styles:If You Want an Unobstructed View: Casements make a fabulous choicefor rooms that look out over the ocean, lakes, woods, meadows ormountains. Unlike sash windows, all you see is the glass-and yourbeautiful vista. (Now you know why the poets love them!) You'llwant to just sit back and enjoy the view for hours.If You Like to Fully Open Your Windows: Like the open air? Yes,this window is for you, nature lovers! No other window design opensas wide. As an added bonus, casement windows catch side breezes.Because casement windows sport an open sash that acts as a flap, itcan funnel the air into your house. This is a real godsend if yourhome is close to another house or a building, with very littlespace between for air to enter directly. And they can be hinged oneither the left or the right side to open out, further maximizingon the amount of air you can capture.Let the Sunshine In but Keep the Thieves Out: Casements let a lotof light in, creating a bright and positive interior atmosphere. Atthe same time, they keep unwanted intruders out, because casementsare very difficult to break into. This is because the locks oncasement windows are hook-shaped and these hooks are embeddedwithin the frame- which makes them virtually untouchable. I shouldadd, while on the topic of safety, that casement windows tend to bediscouraged in homes with children. But there is no need to worry,because today's casement windows are available with childproofsafety handles.So Very Versatile: These windows hold their own beautifully, butthey can be easily installed on either side of a picture window orin bay or bow window to add extra charm and character to your room.And with a full range of colors, veneers, grilles, screens andhardware to suit every taste, modern casement windows let youreally enhance your home's unique style.Here's another thought: if you are remodeling your kitchen, don'tdismiss the idea of a casement window over a sink or cabinets,where opening and closing traditional sash windows can be a realchore. Casements, with their crank handle, are just easier toopen.It's Easy Being Green: These windows are weather tight, and that'sgreat news for today's energy-conscious homeowner. When you close acasement window, it pulls snug against your home. And becausethey're solid pieces of Low-E glass outfitted with argon, they areincredibly energy-efficient. Once you have replacement casementwindows installed, just sit back and watch your energy savings addup.The Sounds of Silence: That airtight "snugness" has anotherbenefit: silence. Casements can really keep the noise out, and thisis especially true of Andersen's FIBREX windows, a unique patentedcomposite that has the added feature of durability. FIBREX won'trot, even in those salty ocean breezes! So many reasons to take asecond look at replacement casement windows for your next homerenovation project! Gerry Rogers is the founder and president ofMr. Rogers Windows. He has been selling and installing homeimprovement products for over 20 years. After introducing hisWorry-Free, Lifetime Performance Guarantee, Gerry has earned thetrust of thousands of clients by "doing the right thing" to ensurecomplete satisfaction when it comes to quality products andinstallation.

It is really important to ensure your homeprotection as it has become a matter of concern these days becauseof its vigorous nature. One of the best ways to ensure your homesafety is by installing security door grilles. This is so far thebest way for providing adequate protection to your property as theyprevent outsiders or criminals to enter into your property withoutpermission. They act as a shield for your house as it is hardlyimpossible to tear them down.Types of security doors• Commercial Shutters - there are a wide range of shutters that canbe utilized for money-making, household and trade purposes, forexample in shopping complexes, counter tops, clubs, doorways,etc.• Commercial Grilles - they are one of the best safety precautionsyou can take to protect your house from thieves andhousebreakers.• Commercial doors - security doors are available in differentdesigns. They are used mainly in cases where grilles couldn't domuch to ensure the safety of your property.• Domestic Roller Shutters - you can get a wide range of stylishand attractive roller shutters these days that can take your homedecor to another level.How to choose the right security doors for your home• Choose the best material for giving your home an elegant look -these security shutters can be made from materials like aluminium,steel, or stainless steel.• Keep your budget in mind before buying the stuff - cost plays avital part in deciding which material to be used in theconstruction of roller shutters and grilles. You should take sometime and decide precisely. Also, you must ensure whether this willcomplement your home decor or not.• Take help from the professionals - you must take advice from anexpert, who knows enough about this process and who can guide youwell in making the correct choice.• Once you cover all the above written steps, then comes the nextbig step, i.e. Installation - this is the most important step ofany process as it involves plenty of minor and major tasks thatneeds to be taken care of. If you don't do it right, you're wastingyour time for sure!No doubt roller grilles and shutters can take care of your homesecurity but it is important to choose them carefully as they areavailable in different designs and sizes as per customer's demand.You should always choose the one that satisfy all yourrequirements.Security grilles can provide a real boost to the security - notonly of business premises, but of residential properties. Manybusinesses including shops and offices choose to install securitygrilles on doors and windows due the fact that their high valuegoods and equipment are so prominently on show. The grilles supplyan additional effective physical barrier, usually alongside alarmsystems and CCTV systems for protecting assets and property.Grilles can also be a useful additional security measure for homes- and the fact they can be easily customised in terms of colour andfunction makes them a more attractive proposition forhomeowners.Before deciding whether having security grilles installed is theright security measure for your property, it pays to discuss thevarious options open to you with a qualified locksmith, such asAlways Locksmith. They will be able to inform you about the varioustypes of window and security grilles on the market and will be ableto tell you about the numerous ways they can be adapted andcustomised to suit individual requirements.For instance, installing security grilles on a home's patio doorsis an excellent way of decreasing the risk of burglary - sincethese doors are one of most frequently targeted areas for abreak-in. However, whilst being an effective barrier to burglarswhen you are out of the house, you would no doubt prefer enjoyingfull vision from the windows when at home - rather than having thegrilles limiting your vista.