Introduction

When choosing new locks or upgrading the security of a uPVC or composite door, you may come across the term Secured by Design (SBD). It's often seen on locking mechanisms, door handles and complete door systems, but many homeowners are unsure what it actually means.

Secured by Design is a police-backed initiative that encourages the use of products independently tested to resist common methods of forced entry. While no lock can make a home completely burglar-proof, SBD-approved hardware provides an additional level of confidence that the products have been assessed against recognised security standards.

What Is Secured by Design?

Secured by Design (SBD) is the official police security initiative that works with manufacturers to encourage the production of products that help reduce crime.

To achieve Secured by Design accreditation, products must undergo independent testing to demonstrate they meet enhanced security standards for their intended use.

SBD is not a manufacturer or a lock brand. Instead, it is an approval scheme recognising products that have successfully passed rigorous security testing.

SBD Multipoint Locking Mechanisms

Many manufacturers produce Secured by Design approved multipoint locking mechanisms for uPVC and composite doors.

These mechanisms are often designed with:

• Stronger internal components.
• Enhanced locking point designs.
• Improved resistance to forced entry.
• Higher durability under repeated use.

When fitted correctly and operating as intended, they provide excellent protection while maintaining smooth day-to-day operation.

Security Handles

Secured by Design approved handles are designed to protect one of the most vulnerable parts of a door—the euro cylinder.

Many feature:

• Reinforced backplates.
• Integrated cylinder protection.
• Anti-grip designs.
• High-strength construction.

Their purpose is to make it much more difficult for an intruder to attack or remove the cylinder.

Many TS007 2 Star security handles are also Secured by Design approved.

Working with 1 Star Cylinders

One of the most popular security upgrades is combining:

• A TS007 2 Star Secured by Design security handle.
• A TS007 1 Star anti-snap euro cylinder.

Together these achieve an overall TS007 3 Star security rating.

This provides protection against common methods of attack including:

• Lock snapping.
• Lock drilling.
• Lock picking.
• Lock bumping.

It also allows homeowners to achieve a high level of security without necessarily replacing the entire locking mechanism.

Door Alignment Still Matters

Even the highest security hardware relies on the door operating correctly.

If a door has dropped or become misaligned:

• Locking points may not engage fully.
• Excessive strain is placed on the gearbox.
• Handles become harder to lift.
• Keys become difficult to turn.
• Components wear more quickly.

Whenever security hardware is replaced, the overall operation of the door should also be checked.

Correct door alignment allows the locking mechanism to work with minimal resistance and helps maximise the lifespan of the new components.

Durability as Well as Security

Many quality Secured by Design handles are fitted with sprung mechanisms.

These offer several advantages:

• Return the handles to their correct resting position.
• Support the gearbox during operation.
• Reduce stress on internal components.
• Improve the feel of the door.
• Help extend the life of the locking mechanism.

The result is not only improved security but also smoother everyday operation.

Does Secured by Design Guarantee Security?

No security product can completely prevent burglary.

However, Secured by Design approved products have been independently tested to resist common methods of attack and are generally built to a higher specification than standard hardware.

Like any security product, they perform best when:

• The door is correctly installed.
• The hinges are secure.
• The keeps are correctly positioned.
• The locking mechanism is properly aligned.
• The hardware is maintained.

Is It Worth Upgrading?

For many homeowners, the answer is yes.

If your door still has older handles or a standard euro cylinder, upgrading to Secured by Design approved hardware can provide:

• Improved resistance to forced entry.
• Better protection for the euro cylinder.
• Smoother day-to-day operation.
• Reduced strain on the locking mechanism.
• Longer service life for the door furniture.
• Increased peace of mind.

In many cases, upgrading the handles and cylinder provides a significant improvement in security without replacing the entire door.

Conclusion

Secured by Design approved hardware offers homeowners an effective way to enhance the security of uPVC and composite doors. By combining an SBD-approved multipoint locking mechanism, quality TS007 2 Star security handles, and a 1 Star anti-snap euro cylinder, you can achieve a TS007 3 Star security rating that provides excellent protection against common methods of forced entry. When installed correctly and supported by proper door alignment and regular maintenance, these components deliver not only improved security but also smoother operation, reduced wear on the locking mechanism and greater long-term reliability.