Clearview National June 2016 - Issue 175 | Page 71

HARDWARE& SECURITY Offering security & peace of mind for wooden stable doors Security is obviously an important issue in every home. Insurers usually insist upon the main exterior doors of a property being fitted with a mortice deadlock with at least five levers that conforms to BS3621:2007 or equivalent. But where a homeowner or architect has chosen a wooden double-leaf or stable exterior door, the issue is complicated by the need for additional key operated security bolts top and bottom, positioned vertically, not against the opposing leaf. »»WOODEN STABLE DOORS are a popular and practical design feature, particularly in rural properties. The top half can be left open allowing plenty of fresh air into the home while the bottom half remains closed. Stable doors lend themselves readily to barn conversions and can finish the country look and feel of a property. However, joinery companies are left with the challenge of producing an attractive product which is also secure. In the past, stable doors have been considered to be a weak point in home security by insurers because a two leaf door with a horizontal division is not as resistant to external force as a single solid door. Although additio nal vertical key-operated security bolts can remedy this, a multipoint lock running the length of both leaves would be a more secure and convenient choice. WINKHAUS’S MPL MEANS SECURE STABLE DOORS Until now, multipoint locks have not been a viable choice for joiners looking to deliver high-quality and secure stable doors owing to the limitations of the product and difficulty in sourcing them. But German lock manufacturer Winkhaus has developed a multipoint lock designed specifically for stable doors which removes the need for additional security bolts and locks. The top and bottom halves of the door can be locked independently or together to ensure security of the home, using hooks, deadlock and rack bolts. The system enables joiners and builders to deliver secure stable doors for their customers, providing quality joinery with the peace of mind offered by secure multipoint locks. The purpose-made locking system specifically for timber stable doors incorporates two matched locking systems, rather than a mismatched combination of locks. A high-strength centre gearbox reduces the risk of abusive malicious loads and 25 mm throw-plated steel hooks deliver optimum security, ease of operation and weather proofing. A rack bolt secures the upper and lower leaves of the door while the lower lock also features a roller latch. With the rack bolt engaged and all hooks retracted the door operates as a conventional door. Releasing the rack bolt separates the upper and lower leaves to open the top portion only. There is a great range of levers to suit the system to suit every taste. Additional door bolts are offered as an optional extra. Anthony Burt of Toolfix said: “Stable doors are great for homes with children and animals because the top half can be opened to let in plenty of light and fresh air while the bottom half remains shut to provide security and peace of mind. They give a great rustic look and feel to rural properties. “In the past there have been concerns about the security of stable doors and it was necessary to use different mismatched locks to make them secure enough to meet the requirements of most home insurers. That has now been changed with the introduction of the Winkhaus multipoint locking system for stable doors. “At Toolfix we stock the full range of Winkhaus products including its stable door system. We can supply locks for heritage projects, traditional designs or ultra-modern interiors.” www.toolfixservices.com www.clearview-uk.com C L E A RV I E W-U K . C O M » J U N 2016 » 71