Door and window security standards (PAS 24)

New doors and windows are not just about warmth and looks — they are your home's first line of defence. The main benchmark to know is PAS 24, and when people talk about PAS 24 doors and windows they mean units that have been tested to resist a determined intruder. This guide explains what the standard is, how products are tested, and the locking and cylinder details worth checking before you buy.

What PAS 24 actually means

PAS 24 is a Publicly Available Specification that sets out enhanced security requirements for doors and windows. To pass, a door or window has to survive a series of tests that mimic the tools and techniques a burglar might use — manipulation of the locking, mechanical loading, and cutting or levering at vulnerable points — without giving way within the test's limits. A product that meets it is described as PAS 24 tested, and the same standard underpins the security requirement in the building regulations for new and replacement doors and windows in many situations. It is a meaningful, independent benchmark rather than a marketing phrase.

How doors and windows are tested

Testing is carried out on a complete assembly — the door or window leaf, its frame, the glazing and the hardware together — because security is only ever as strong as the weakest part. Assessors apply timed manual attacks and mechanical loads to the corners, the locking points and the glazing, checking that the unit stays secure and that the glass does not simply pop out of its beading. That whole-assembly approach is why a genuine PAS 24 door has to be manufactured and glazed as specified; swapping in a cheaper cylinder or a different glass unit can undo the rating.

Cylinders, hinges and locking

Beyond the headline standard, a few components make a real difference:

• Multi-point locks throw hooks or bolts at several points up the frame, spreading the load far better than a single deadbolt.
• High-security cylinders resist snapping, bumping, picking and drilling — look for an anti-snap cylinder that meets the TS007 3-star rating or an equivalent Sold Secure Diamond grade.
• Reinforced hinges and hinge bolts stop the leaf being levered off on the hinge side.
• Laminated or toughened glazing in vision panels and side lights resists being broken through quickly.

You will also see the Secured by Design mark — a police-backed accreditation given to products that meet these enhanced standards. When you are choosing between materials, our uPVC vs composite doors comparison notes that both can be specified to these levels, and our composite front doors guide covers hardware choices in more depth.

What to ask your installer

Ask whether the door and window units are PAS 24 tested, what cylinder rating is included, and whether the glazing is laminated or toughened. A reputable fitter will answer clearly and put it in writing — our notes on choosing a trustworthy installer explain the accreditations to look for. Security and efficiency go hand in hand when you upgrade, and it is worth understanding how much energy new windows can save at the same time. If the specification you want feels out of reach on cost, there are window and door funding and contribution options, subject to eligibility and a home survey, and funded glazing options to compare.