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As professionals in the Windows & Doors business, we are only too familiar with the concept that they may be considered as “weak points” in your home, easiest to attack by burglars. Obviously an unlocked door or window is an open invitation to a thief so it is important to ensure that all your windows and doors close and lock correctly. We also stress to all our customers that they should also carry out this inspection for elderly parents and neighbours.

Another aspect of door and window security is how they are constructed. Wooden Doors and windows are always susceptible to being forced open and windows can be prised open with the correct tools

Athlone Windows supply UPVC or Aluminium windows and doors. Advanced manufacturing techniques ensure that all our frames are mechanically strong, tough and durable, backed by a 15 year product performance guarantee.

With dual opening facilities, safety and security is paramount; therefore all Tilt & Turn windows are fitted with high-performance locking and innovative gearing mechanisms as standard.

Casement windows are fitted with multi-point locking mechanisms as standard, ensuring only the highest levels of safety and security for your home. All window components and hardware are specifically selected and fitted to ensure ease of use and long term performance.

French windows are fitted with high-security locking mechanisms, ensuring that both openings remain safely and securely fixed when in their locked positions.

Locking Systems

Safety and security is of utmost importance, that is why only the highest performance multi-point locking systems are fitted as standard to our windows and doors. Our products are also fitted with strong hinges and quality handles as standard. Our hardware components are salt spray tested to 600 hours (up to 3 times more than the industry standard) thereby ensuring longer term performance

Shootbolts

Fitted to windows for enhanced security. Bolts shoot out from the top and bottom of the locking system and slot securely into keeps located on the outerframe.

Hook Locks

Fitted to doors for enhanced security. Hooks situated at the top and bottom of the locking system slot securely into keeps located on the outerframe.

Trojan Hinge

Fitted to casement windows, these heavy-duty hinges are designed to offer extra strength and security. Ideal for triple glazed applications.

Restrictor Hinge

Fitted to windows for enhanced safety and security. Restrictors activate when the sash is opened and can be released manually from the inside.

Changing Windows & Doors – Can I apply the Home Renovation HRI-Scheme-banner Scheme

Athlone Windows have registered many customers with the HRI scheme if the customer was keen to take advantage of the tax credits available.
The following Text is taken from the revenue.ie website – Full details are here….

The Home Renovation Incentive (HRI) Scheme provides for tax relief for Homeowners and Landlords by way of an Income Tax credit at 13.5% of qualifying expenditure on repair, renovation or improvement works carried out on a main home or rental property by qualifying Contractors.

The amount of the HRI tax credit depends on the amount spent on qualifying works. Tax relief can be claimed on qualifying expenditure over €4,405 (before VAT at 13.5%) per property. This €4,405 (before VAT) can be the total from any number of jobs carried out and paid for from 25 October 2013 to 31 December 2015 for Homeowners claiming on their main home and on or after 15 October 2014 and up to 31 December 2015 for Landlords claiming on their rental property. While there is no upper limit on expenditure on qualifying works, the tax credit will only be given in relation to a maximum of €30,000 (before VAT at 13.5%) per property.

If a Homeowner or Landlord is having qualifying work done but isn’t spending over €4,405 (before VAT) on the property, it’s still worth choosing a HRI qualifying Contractor and having the work details entered on HRI online. The Homeowner or Landlord may have more qualifying work carried out on the property between now and 31 December 2015. All the spending on the property, added up, could reach the €4,405 (before VAT). It will be very difficult to go back to a Contractor, to try to get him or her to enter details to HRI online, for a job from a year or more ago.

In addition, if a Homeowner or Landlord is using a HRI qualifying Contractor, the Homeowner or Landlord can at least be sure that the Contractor is tax compliant.

If there are no grants or insurance claims, the lowest tax credit amount is €595 (€4,405 at 13.5%) per property and the highest tax credit is €4,050 (€30,000 at 13.5%) per property.

For example –

If a Homeowner or Landlord paid €3,800 (before VAT) to a HRI qualifying electrician for rewiring his or her main home or rental property and €800 (before VAT) to a HRI qualifying painter for painting work on his or her main home or rental property, the tax credit is €4,600 x 13.5% =€621.

2015 will be the first year for HRI tax credits for Homeowners and 2016 for Landlords. In general, the HRI tax credit will be included in tax credits over two years, starting the year after the work is carried out and paid for.

Qualifying works carried out between 25 October 2013 and 31 December 2013 and paid for by Homeowners during that period will be treated as if they were paid for in 2014 for tax credit purposes.

Qualifying works carried out between 15 October 2014 and 31 December 2014 and paid for by Landlords during that period will be treated as if they were paid for in 2015 for tax credit purposes.

Secure Windows and Doors for Elderly Parents and Neighbours this winter

Home Renovation Scheme (HRI) for Windows & Doors