Sash Jammers: useful extra security or not?

[SVS]

How much extra security do sash jammers add to a uPVC door? Are they a useful bit of extra security or a waste of time? Do any locksmiths, builders, police, etc have a view?

[Little Lofty]

Their pretty sturdy little things, the problem is no matter how much you secure the door with sash jammers or better locks the panel in the centre is the weak point.

[Defcon5]

I have two on my back door, they are solid. (Combined with protective film over the glass, snap resistant cylinders and solid metal handles)

Whilst it won't prevent entry being made, it will make it difficult and time consuming to do so - you need to increase the risk:reward ratio so someone else gets burgled instead

[SVS]

Defcon5 said:

I have two on my back door, they are solid.

Thanks. I'd wondered how many sash jammers to use. I've read anything from 1 to 4 jammers per door

How did you decide on 2 being the right number of jammers for your door?

Little Lofty said:

Their pretty sturdy little things, the problem is no matter how much you secure the door with sash jammers or better locks the panel in the centre is the weak point.

I agree about the panel, but hoped that the right locks and jammers would stop quiet methods of entry. Surely it's a good idea to increase the noise or time required to break in?

[Spare tyre]

i made my own door jammer for the back door out of wood and painted it white, its only in place when we go out but it may just slow em down that extra second or two

[Defcon5]

I have one at the top and one at the bottom in line with the door handle

They protect against a leverage attack when the door is locked (spade/jemmy etc) and offer additional security should the lock/handle be compromised and removed.

[TheAllSeeingPie]

Just make sure that they are both screwed and araldited on. We got burgled and the entry point was through a pair of french doors that had sash jammers top and bottom (installed by the previous owners) that had only been screwed on. It was a suggestion by the police to araldite them on as apparently it stops them wiggling the screws loose. Since our doors were fecked anyway I tested this by installing them on the fecked doors and testing with a crowbar before the window guys replaced the doors. They were a damned sight more effective when glued!

[SVS]

Many thanks - very useful info!

[tenohfive]

Well worth doing, especially for the price of them. You're always going to have weak spots but if they can't just pop the door open with no noise and effort then there's a fair chance that a burglar will move on somewhere else.

I like the tip above about screws and araldite though.

[TheAllSeeingPie]

The other tip for Araldite was for security chains. Since it's a bad idea to screw them into uPVC doors the alternative is to glue them on, seems to work quite well on our front door.

[SVS]

Resurrected for an update. As I've now fitted a few sash jammers for family and friends, I thought it could help others to read a bit more info. I found that Fab & Fix sash jammers felt sturdy and tough. Do they work? West Yorkshire Police say they do.

West Yorkshire Police said:

You may also be able to fit sash jammers to your doors, which have also proven to prevent burglaries.

• UPVC screws felt insecure. Whereas jack nuts felt pretty strong. I reckon you'd need to use jack nuts for a secure fit to most UPVC doors, unless they have a metal inner. I liked the Fab & Fix kit, because you get jack nuts and everything else you need in one pack.
• I found that a 9mm drill bit made the best size holes for fitting jack nuts.
• Even using jack nuts, there could be a bit of play. Someone could exploit that to try and wiggle the sash jammer loose. TheAllSeeingPie's advice to use Araldite was spot on:

TheAllSeeingPie said:

Just make sure that they are both screwed and araldited on. We got burgled and the entry point was through a pair of french doors that had sash jammers top and bottom (installed by the previous owners) that had only been screwed on. It was a suggestion by the police to araldite them on as apparently it stops them wiggling the screws loose. Since our doors were fecked anyway I tested this by installing them on the fecked doors and testing with a crowbar before the window guys replaced the doors. They were a damned sight more effective when glued!

• When I fixed sash jammers with both Araldite and jack nuts, the jammer felt rock solid I followed the advice to use four jammers per UPVC door.
• Standard Araldite, sometimes called Araldite Precision, worked best because it takes a long time to set. This made it easier to fix the sash jammer without rushing, compared to the rapidly setting versions of Araldite. I think the slow setting Araldite is stronger too.
• I found sash jammers easy to fix. There are a couple of videos on YouTube about how to fix them, which anyone with basic DIY skills could follow. Here are some fitting instructions too.

I hope this info might help others.

[TheAllSeeingPie]

Top result! Glad I could be of help

[Pheo]

Just ordered some for the only downstairs windows without multipoint locking, with the locking option obviously.

[carollesley67]

Hi. Does anyone know if its legal for my landlord to use sash jammers on my windows as the only security. The widows don't lock and will just push open. The windows downstairs have been fitted with the jammers but my children's room have still to be fixed and will still push open. Hope someone can give me some advise on where I stand about this matter

[Tom_C76]

carollesley67 said:

Hi. Does anyone know if its legal for my landlord to use sash jammers on my windows as the only security. The widows don't lock and will just push open. The windows downstairs have been fitted with the jammers but my children's room have still to be fixed and will still push open. Hope someone can give me some advise on where I stand about this matter

First floor windows don't generally lock on modern houses, to save hunting for a key in the event of fire. However they should have restrictors to stop kids falling out unless the hidden button is pressed to turn them into an escape, also prevents burglars coming in through them.