How much should I budget for glazing bead security upgrades in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles?
Allow £54 to £114 including VAT (£45 to £95 plus VAT) per window for glazing bead security upgrades in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles, with a minimum charge of £174 including VAT (£145 plus VAT) per visit. The price is confirmed before we attend.
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.
Work we can carry out
- Beads replaced where cracked or brittle
- Suitable for windows and glazed doors
- Concealed fixings for aluminium beads
- Can be combined with laminated units
- Double-sided security glazing tape between unit and frame
- No change to how the window looks
Covering Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles
Work in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles is arranged individually because of travel, including in Kirkwall, Lerwick and Stornoway. Send your postcode and we will confirm what is possible.
The island groups have small stone-built towns such as Kirkwall, Lerwick and Stornoway and scattered rural properties, with exposed weather and ferry freight for every glass delivery.
Typical reasons to book:
- Aluminium windows and doors with external beads
- Glazed doors with external beads
- Ground-floor and back windows
- Rented homes where frames are staying
Towns in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles
Things to think about
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
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.
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.
How it works
- Send a photo of the bead side
- Visit price agreed
- Clips, tape or internal beads fitted
- Record of anything else we noticed
Glazing bead security upgrades in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles: questions
Which towns in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles do you cover?
Work across Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles is arranged individually because of travel and glass delivery, including in Kirkwall, Lerwick and Stornoway. Send your postcode and we will confirm what is possible.
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.
Can you do this on aluminium windows?
Often, depending on the bead design. We check the profile when we confirm the price.
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.
Other glazing in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles
- Toughened safety glass
- Anti-bandit glass
- Security window film
- Display case security glass
- Anti-ram-raid glazing
- Security glazed doors and screens
Use the form or call 0800 088 6248 to book.