How much should I budget for glazing bead security upgrades in Edinburgh?
Guide prices in Edinburgh are £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, confirmed before we come.
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.
What we look at
- Can be combined with laminated units
- Bead clips and bead locks for uPVC frames
- Beads replaced where cracked or brittle
- Suitable for windows and glazed doors
- Checks for missing or loose beads and packers
- Double-sided security glazing tape between unit and frame
Visits in Edinburgh and nearby
We arrange glazing bead security upgrades visits across Edinburgh and the EH1 postcode district, and in nearby Musselburgh (6 miles), Dalkeith (6 miles) and Penicuik.
Windows and shopfronts in Edinburgh's World Heritage centre are closely controlled, while Livingston, Musselburgh and the other Lothian towns have newer estates, offices and retail parks.
This work suits:
- Ground-floor and back windows
- Glazed doors with external beads
- Rented homes where frames are staying
- Aluminium windows and doors with external beads
Before the visit
Brittle beads
Old beads can crack when removed. We bring replacements so they can be renewed rather than refitted damaged.
Tape, clips or both
Tape stops the unit being lifted out; clips make the beads harder to remove. Both together give the best result.
Consents and safety: Scotland
Security rules for new homes
Standard 4.13 asks for doors and windows in new homes that are vulnerable to unlawful entry to be secure. Glazing that would let someone reach a lock from outside should be laminated or similarly robust, and easily accessible openable windows need a keyed lock or a keyless lock with laminated glass. It applies through the building warrant for new homes and conversions.
Replacing glass in an existing frame
In Scotland, replacing glass in an existing frame is normally treated as a repair rather than work needing a building warrant. Whether replacing whole windows or doors needs a warrant depends on the building, and the work should still meet the building standards. The council's building standards service can confirm what applies.
How it works
- Tell us how many windows
- Price confirmed before the visit
- Beads secured or replaced
- Windows checked and explained
Glazing bead security upgrades in Edinburgh: questions
Which areas near Edinburgh do you cover?
Yes. As well as Edinburgh, we can arrange visits in nearby Musselburgh, Dalkeith and Penicuik. Dates depend on installer availability.
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.
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.
Can you do this on aluminium windows?
Often, depending on the bead design. We check the profile when we confirm the price.
Glazing bead security upgrades in nearby towns
- Musselburgh6 miles
- Dalkeith6 miles
- Penicuik8 miles
- Kirkcaldy11 miles
- Dunfermline13 miles
- Livingston13 miles
Other glazing in Edinburgh
- Commercial reglazing
- Blast-resistant glazing
- Laminated security glass
- Security secondary glazing
- Bullet-resistant glass
- Shopfront security glass
Tell us what you need and we will confirm the price before we attend.