Hardware & Security
Why tilt & turn could have a bigger role to play in apartment living
The continued development of higher-density housing across the UK and Ireland is bringing greater attention to the practical considerations that come with apartment living, including how windows are operated and secured.
While tilt & turn windows remain a relatively niche solution in the UK, they are well established across European markets and offer a combination of controlled ventilation and flexible opening that can be particularly suited to apartment developments.
The potential opportunity is particularly evident in Ireland, where 12,047 apartments were completed in 2025 – an increase of 38.7 % compared with the previous year. Apartments accounted for 33.2 % of all new dwelling completions, highlighting the continuing importance of higher-density housing.
As more people live in multi-storey and higher-density developments, window hardware needs to do more than simply provide a means of opening and closing a window. Controlled ventilation, occupant safety, durability and ease of operation all need to be considered, particularly where windows are installed at height.
Here, Andy Matthews – Head of Sales and Marketing( UK & Ireland), explains why the changing nature of residential development could create new opportunities for tilt & turn window hardware.
Tilt & turn windows have been an established part of the European market for many years, but in the UK they remain a relatively niche solution. As the housing market continues to change, however, there is an opportunity to look again at where this type of window system can provide benefits, particularly within apartment developments.
One of the main advantages of tilt & turn is the level of control it gives the occupant. The window can be tilted inwards from the top to provide ventilation, while the turn function allows it to be opened further when full access is required.
That combination can be particularly useful in an apartment environment. Ventilation is an important consideration in any home, but when windows are located several storeys above ground level, being able to control how far they can be opened becomes an additional consideration for specifiers and developers.
The tilt position provides a practical way of ventilating a room without immediately creating a fully open window. This can be particularly relevant where occupant safety is a priority, including buildings where children or vulnerable people may be present.
This is where Tilt Before Turn, or TBT, can provide an additional level of control.
With TBT, the handle can be locked in the 90-degree tilted position using a key. The handle cannot then be moved through to the 180-degree fully open position until it has been unlocked. This means that the window can still be tilted for ventilation, but the full opening position is controlled.
We already see this type of functionality being used in environments such as schools, nurseries, hospitals, care homes and offices, where controlling window opening can be an important part of the building’ s overall safety requirements. There is no reason why the same principles cannot be considered within residential developments. As apartment buildings become more common, particularly in higher-density urban environments, the ability to provide ventilation while maintaining control over the full opening position can be an important consideration.
Another factor is durability. Hardware in an apartment development can be
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