The fact is: A burglary is almost always starts through the window - because the culprit suspect that this is the weak point of the house. This may be wrong: Because if RC2, RC3 or RC4 windows are used, then uninvited guest must stay outside. We fend off more than 100 burglary attempts annually for almost 50 years. Even practiced culprits are without chances if the right window and the safest safety glass in the world are installed. Ax? Sledgehammer? Wrong, sit down.
Our longterm practice shows: You should not rely on the alarm system. Because only burglarproof RC2, RC3, RC4 windows provide real physical resistance against the culprit. Stay out. Go home.
RC2 windows present a solid basic protection for private residences with a resistance time of one to three minutes against unpracticed amateur culprits. The most installed resistance classes are RC3 windows with a resistance time of five minutes and RC4 windows with about ten minutes resistance time, even against practiced and experienced culprits. Sounds low? Just imagine: The burglar can be caught in the act at any time, and under these circumstances each minute feels like an eternity.
RC1 windows in contrast are not recommended - they do not offer any burglary protection. And RC5 or RC6 windows? They are normally over-dimensioned for private residences; they are rather qualified for military facilities or nuclear power plants.
do not offer any burglary protection, therefore no recommendation
Our basic recommendation for private residences with a resistance time of about one to three minutes against amateur culprits with SILATEC P6B glass.
Our recommendation for an effective burglary protection in private residences: about five minutes resistance against practiced culprits in connection with SILATEC P6B safety glass.
Our recommendation for the perfect burglary protection. About 10 minutes resistance against experienced burglars in connection with SILATEC P8B safety glass.
Normally over-dimensioned for private residences, also with respect to the economic viability. Approx. 15 minutes resistance time in connection with SILATEC P8B glass.
Clearly over-dimensioned for private residences, rather for extremely exposed risks such as nuclear power plants. Approx. 20 minutes resistance time in connection with SILATEC P8B glass, also against experienced culprits with powerful electrical tools.
Massive safety windows do not look like massive safety windows. Only you know that your house is a fortress. Because our safety windows can be integrated as easily into the architecture as any “normal” window.
We deliver up to a width of eight meter, in all colors, forms and materials: made of wood, metal covered with wood, with a modern or historic design, fine and filigree as sliding doors, as turning, swivel-tilt, swing-casement, exit, roof lattice or two-leaf French-casement window.
| Wood | Aluminum | Steel | |
| Service life | about 40-50 years | about 60 years | about 70 years |
| Care | Glazing every 2 years, Glazing every 5 years | not required | not required (stainless steel) |
| Ecology | Renewable raw material | energy-intense production, but good service life and recyclability | longest service life, also available as a recycling version |
| Insulation values | good | requires supplementary equipment | requires supplementary equipment |
| Other benefits | breathable | very weather-resistant | very thin profiles are possible, very robust also for public traffic |
Wood is sustainable, breathable and in addition it provides a view of natural warmth. Within the interaction of design elements, grain and texture can be integrated very restrained but they can also set succinct signs. However, wood requires relatively much care (see table below). As all burglarproof windows, your wood windows can also be customized, in all forms and colors and with a width of up to eight meters.
If you want to combine the naturalness and the living comfort of wood with the clearness and geometrical look-and-feel of aluminum, then a combination of wood and aluminum is recommended. Also if you appreciate the natural insulation characteristics of wood as well as the ease of care of aluminum - especially for difficult to access windows, because repainting is too laborious, for example, on a higher floor.
Most important, aluminum is light weight and this is a welcome relief especially in case of large format windows and in case of frequent opening and closing of the windows. The material has a longer service life than wood and does not need care. We deliver customized forms, colors and formats also for this version - also for a length of up to eight meters. However, aluminum requires a lot of energy during production - that is why we ensure good recyclability.
Large format windows and filigree sliding elements open limits, and they also open the head. The rooms expand based on a light and air flooded inside and due to the integration of the inside and the outside. The threshold practically disappears because it gets integrated totally flush with the adjacent areas, and the sliding elements can also be electrically actuated. Safety can be beautiful.
For a variety of reasons, the official bodies cannot give a recommendation for RC2, RC3 or RC4 windows. However, the principle advice is clear: The mechanical burglary protection is preferred over the electronic protection. Because only the mechanical protection - which means burglarproof windows and burglarproof glass - hinder the burglar against entering.
“Electronic burglary protection”, for example the alarm system or the security cameras, can only supplement in a meaningful manner - not more and not less. A visible alarm system may attract the culprit because it signal that valuables can be stolen here. Absolutely recommended are trained watchdogs, preferably one for the outside, one for the inside.
The test standards and resistance classes help to differentiate and classify. Only: The reality and the criminal practice is completely different. Example RC2 windows. The test standard promises a resistance of three minutes, however, in practice they are broken after three minutes. Because the culprit who does not make progress at the window frame will attack the glass. And this can be broken within ten seconds! Because the standard only specifies P4A glass. And the standard does not even test the glass.
And: For RC2 windows only unpracticed amateur culprits are assumed; this means that the test engineer can only use small tools for the test. However, the RC2 window is immediately broken in reality and with slightly larger tools. And how is it for RC3 and RC4 windows? The standard assumes practiced culprits with significantly better tools. However: The glass is also not tested here! Only a simple P5A glass is specified. It is broken after only 15 seconds. What good do the five minutes resistance do, which are provided by the RC3 frame? And what do the ten minutes do for the RC4 window if the specified glass (traditional P6B) only withstands for 30 seconds?
| SAFE glass | Glass NOT tested | |
SILATEC | RC2 windows: Resistance time per standard only three minutes Specified P4A glass: only about 10 seconds! | |
SILATEC | RC3 windows: Resistance time per standard only five minutes Specified P5A glass: only about 15 seconds! | |
SILATEC | RC4 windows: Resistance time per standard only about ten minutes Specified: P6B glass - only about 15 seconds! | |
Many options exists. As a matter of principle, fixed glazing can be retrofitted without problems. For pivot-tilt windows normally after construction year 1980. Normally we exchange glass and fittings and equip these with a mushroom head lock. Burglarproof attachment windows can be integrated in case of older or even landmarked objects: This is where we install RC2, RC3 or RC4 windows in front or behind the existing windows, namely: in the interior space or at the outside facade.
While RC2 windows deliver a solid basic protection, we mostly recommend RC3 or RC4 windows for the effective burglary protection in private residences. RC5 and RC6 windows are rather recommended for extremely exposed risk such as nuclear power plants, however, RC1 windows do not offer any burglary protection. What fits your needs perfectly? Public authorities may provide information based on the local features and the individual risks, or contact us directly.
| Safety window | Burglary protection | Burglary protection | Applications |
| RC1 windows | no burglary protection | no recommendation | no recommendation |
| RC2 windows | approx. 3 minutes against unpracticed amateur culprits | SILATEC P6B | Basic protection against private residences |
| RC3 windows | approx. 5 minutes against practiced burglars | SILATEC P6B | effective burglary protection for private residences |
| RC4 windows | approx. 10 minutes in case of experienced burglars | min SILATEC P6B, better SILATEC P8B | perfect burglary protection for private residences |
| RC5 windows | approx. 15 minutes in case of practiced burglar | min. SILATEC P8B | normally over-dimensioned for private residences |
| RC6 windows | approx. 20 minutes in case of experienced burglar | min. SILATEC P8B | for extremely endangered objects, for example, nuclear power plants |
We mostly install RC3 and RC4 windows in private residences, however, only in combination with SILATEC P6B or P8B glass. Safe window, safe glass: This is the only way to enjoy the effective up to the perfect burglary protection.
Namely by the burglars themselves. The more than 100 attacks that we experience annually are frequently and reliably reduced to burglary attempts. Depending on the requirements, our solutions include to highest resistance classes. An example for more clarification: Our safety glass SILATEC P8B offers a resistance time of more than 20 minutes, even against an ax or a sledgehammer. 20 long minutes and the culprit runs the risk every second to be caught in the act. Incidentally: to hit a pane for only one single minute with an ax requires an extraordinary physical condition.
Important factors include the discovery risk, the tool and the methodology which with the burglar proceeds, the escape options or the question of how quickly the action forces are at the location in case of an alarm. A frequent misunderstanding are vacation homes. Because the burglary attempts happen here if the residents are present. Because the promise of booty is significantly larger.
The test standard DIN EN 1627/30 tests the window frame - but not the glass. The glass that the standard specifies is quickly broken. Would you enter a boat that has sails that rip apart when on the high seas? RC2, RC3 or RC4 window frames are only burglarproof when using the glass, type SILATEC safety glass as the following table details: Safe frame, safe glass.
(By the way: other standards for windows and door of course also test the glass, which means for burglary resisting windows or for burglary resisting escape doors or panic doors.)
| Safety glass/resistance time | Glass not tested as per standard/resistance time | Recommended glass/resistance time |
| RC2 window/3 minutes | P4A glass/only 10 seconds! | SILATEC P6B2/5 minutes |
| RC3 window/5 minutes | P5A glass/only 15 seconds! | SILATEC P6B2/5 minutes |
| RC4 window/ten minutes | Traditional P6B glass2/only 30 seconds! | SILATEC P8B/approx. 20 minutes |
| RC5 window/15 minutes | Traditional P7B glass/less than one minute!1 | SILATEC P8B/approx. 20 minutes |
| RC6 window/20 minutes | Traditional P8B glass/only approx. one minute!1 | SILATEC P8B/approx. 20 minutes |
Caution:
The standard does not test the glass - only the frame! The glass that the standard specifies is quickly broken! See table above
Safety questions are more and more central, especially for high value properties; this is supported by the trend that shows that hazard potential rather increase than decrease. Therefore, burglarproof RC2, RC3 or RC4 windows are an investment, which does not only give you a safe feeling in your residence, but which can save you a lot in case of a burglary attempt. It increases the value of your property.
“RC” is the abbreviation of “Resistance Class”. This was in the past called “Widerstandsklasse”, abbreviated “WK”, which is no longer used today.
The test standard DIN EN 1627/30 categorizes six resistance classes, from RC1 windows with the lowest and practical no burglary protection up to RC6 windows with the highest resistance time. RC2 windows offer a solid basic protection, but our most frequent recommendation are RC3 and RC4 windows.
“RC” is the abbreviation for “Resistance “Class”, in German: Widerstandsklasse, in which the window is tested. That is the reason for the abbreviation “WK”, which is no longer used. Solid basic protection starts with the resistance class 2, which means RC2 windows. We recommend in most cases RC3 and RC4 windows for an effective burglary protection in private residences. RC1 windows offer basically no burglary protection, RC5 and RC6 windows are in contrast rather over-dimensioned for private residences.
They offer a significantly lower burglary protection than RC2 windows, because they use simple window glass, which is already destroyed after a rock throw - the burglar would be in the house immediately.
Normally the burglars try the crank the window open. For example with screwdrivers, wedges, crowbars. They may also break the glass pane.
They are often recommended, however, based on our practical experience we assess them rather critical. Just imagine that you must lock all windows every time you leave the house and you must store the keys somewhere. And you must unlock everything when you return home. You can waive these activities if you use the right safety glass that is burglarproof.
Unfortunately, none at all. At least not for high value properties, which are targeted by a least somewhat practiced culprits - and they open roller blind quickly.
Of course, you can purchase RC2 to RC6 windows with an alarm system from us. But real, mechanical resistance provided by a safe window and safe glass is preferable, and this is also officially confirmed by the police. Because only mechanical resistance can actually prevent an intrusion into the building.
Even the safest resistance class - namely RC6 windows and doors - is not adequate for this application. Due to the extreme hazard potential, special products with special locks and a weight of several thousand kilogram are required here.
No burglary protection.
Solid basic protection. The standard specifies: a resistance of three minutes against an unpracticed amateur thief. However: a practiced culprit opens the window already within approx. one minute. The glass is already broken after approx. 10 seconds! The standard does not even test the glass, only P4A glass is specified. Recommendation: RC2 windows plus SILATEC P6B glass: Safe window, safe glass.
Effective burglary protection for your mansion. Based on the test standard: about five minutes resistance against practiced culprits, for example, with a massive crowbar.Again, the glass is not tested only P5A glass is specified: this is destroyed after about 15 seconds, even by culprits without practice. Recommendation: SILATEC P6B glass - with more than five minutes resistance time. Safe glass, safe window.
Perfect burglary protection for mansions. Based on test standard: about 10 minutes resistance against practiced burglars with chisel, crowbar, ax or power drill. However, the glass is not tested, only P6B glass is mentioned. Resistance time: only about 30 seconds!
Recommendation: at least SILATEC P6B glass - with more than five minutes resistance time,better SILATEC P8B glass with 10 to 20 minutes resistance time. The glass is now as safe as the window.
Rather over-dimensioned for private residences. The test standard requests: a total of 15 minutes resistance time even against experienced culprits with electrical tools as e.g. power drill, jigsaw or saber saw and angle grinder with a disk diameter of 125 mm. The glazing is tested for this application. The recommendation: SILATEC P8B with up to 20 minutes.
Normally over-dimensioned for private residences. What does the test standard request: more than 20 minutes protection even against experience culprits with powerful electrical tools as e. g. power drill, jigsaw or saber saw and angle grinder with a disk diameter of 250 mm. The glazing will also be tested for this application.Same recommendation: SILATEC P8B with up to 20 minutes resistance duration. RC6 windows are rather qualified for extreme hazard potentials, for examples nuclear power plants.
