Glazing bead security upgrades

What do glazing bead security upgrades involve?

A glazing bead security upgrade makes the glass much harder to remove from the outside of a window or door. On frames with external beads, a burglar can sometimes prise off the beads and lift the whole unit out quietly, and bonding the glass with security tape or fitting bead clips makes that route much harder.

Glazing beads are the strips that hold the glass in the frame. Most modern windows have them on the inside, but many older uPVC and aluminium windows and doors were made with beads on the outside. With the right tool those beads can be eased off and the sealed unit slid out without breaking anything, which makes no noise and leaves no broken glass.

The usual fix is double-sided security glazing tape, which bonds the edge of the unit to the frame so it stays put even with the beads removed, along with clips or fixings that make the beads themselves hard to remove. It is done from inside or outside without replacing the glass or frames, and it can be combined with laminated units if those are being fitted too. We confirm the price before we visit, based on the number and type of windows.

How much do glazing bead security upgrades cost?

Bead security upgrades typically cost £54 to £114 including VAT (£45 to £95 plus VAT) per window, with a minimum charge of £174 including VAT (£145 plus VAT) per visit. The price is confirmed before the visit. See all glass prices.

Minimum charge £145 + VAT (£174 inc VAT) per visit.

What the work covers

Double-sided security glazing tape between unit and frame
Bead clips and bead locks for uPVC frames
Concealed fixings for aluminium beads
Beads replaced where cracked or brittle
Checks for missing or loose beads and packers
Can be combined with laminated units
Suitable for windows and glazed doors
No change to how the window looks

When you need it

Older uPVC windows with beads on the outside
Aluminium windows and doors with external beads
Ground-floor and back windows
Glazed doors with external beads
Rented homes where frames are staying

What to decide before you order

Tape, clips or both

Tape stops the unit being lifted out; clips make the beads harder to remove. Both together give the best result.

Glass at the same time

If units are misted or due for replacement, it is cheaper to fit laminated units and tape in one visit.

Brittle beads

Old beads can crack when removed. We bring replacements so they can be renewed rather than refitted damaged.

Which windows

Ground-floor and hidden windows come first; upstairs windows that cannot be reached are a lower priority.

Rules across the UK

Safety glazing, building regulations, planning and listed building rules differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. These are the points most relevant to glazing bead security upgrades; local pages show the version for your nation.

England (similar principles apply in Wales, Scotland and NI)

Replacing glass in an existing frame

Replacing only the glass or sealed unit in an existing frame is generally treated as a repair in England rather than notifiable building work. Replacing a whole window or door is notifiable and is normally certified through a competent person scheme or approved by building control. Either way, new glass in a critical location should still be safety glass.

Security rules for new homes

Approved Document Q has applied to new homes in England since 1 October 2015. Easily accessible doors and windows, meaning any part within 2 m vertically of the ground or another accessible surface, should meet PAS 24 or an equivalent, and glazing in doors and in windows within 400 mm of a door should be laminated to at least BS EN 356 P1A. It does not apply when you change the glass in an existing home, although it is a sensible benchmark.

Safety glass in critical locations

In England, section 5 of Approved Document K treats glazing in doors and in side panels within 300 mm of a door edge, from floor level up to 1,500 mm, and any other glazing below 800 mm, as a critical location. Glass there should break safely, be robust, or be guarded. Laminated or toughened glass meeting BS EN 12600 class 3 is the usual answer, rising to class 2 for door and side-panel panes wider than 900 mm.

How it works

Tell us about the windows

Say how many windows and send a photo of the outside beads if you can.

Price before we visit

We confirm the price per window and the minimum visit charge before we attend.

Beads secured

Security clips, glazing tape or internal beads are fitted so the glass cannot simply be lifted out.

Checked and explained

Each window is checked and you get a note of anything else that needs attention.

Glazing bead security upgrades: questions

How much does a glazing bead security upgrade cost?

Glazing bead security upgrades usually cost from £45 to £95 plus VAT (£54 to £114 inc VAT) per window, with a minimum charge of £145 plus VAT (£174 inc VAT) per visit. The price is confirmed before we visit, based on the number of windows and the frame type.

How do I know if my beads are on the outside?

Look at the glass from outside. If you can see a separate clip-in strip around the edge of the glass, and the frame inside is plain, the beads are external.

Can burglars really remove the glass from outside?

On some externally beaded windows, yes. The beads can be eased off and the unit lifted out quietly. Security tape and clips make that much harder.

Does the glass have to come out to fit security tape?

Yes. Each unit is removed, the tape is applied to the frame and the unit is refitted, so it is a good moment to swap in laminated glass if wanted.

Will the upgrade change how my windows look?

No. The tape is hidden behind the beads and clips are discreet.

Can you do this on aluminium windows?

Often, depending on the bead design. We check the profile when we confirm the price.

Find glazing bead security upgrades near you

Choose your county or region for local information and the rules that apply where you are.

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