Clearview National October 2019 - Issue 215 | Page 73

HOMESECURITY
Future
Forecast
for Home
Security
» » UK DOOR AND WINDOW
hardware innovators Winlock Security are
renowned for providing dynamic, forward-
thinking solutions; constantly challenging the
conventional aesthetics, functionality and
performance of hardware. So who better
to ask about the future of hardware this
Home Security Month than Winlock Security
Limited’s Managing Director Alan Parker?
Alan talks about emerging trends and the
potential industry-wide impact:
MOBILE TECHNOLOGY
Mobile technology will continue to drive
innovation in the home security sector. We’re
already seeing more apps and electronic
products with mobile interfaces for the tech
savvy; with development being done in order
to provide mobile-ready door and window
locking systems.
Whether the majority of homeowners
adopt mobile technology is however still up
for debate. According to YouGov’s 2018 report
23% of UK homes have at least one smart
device – only 3% of those are smart security
devices - but 76% of those who don’t currently
have any form of smart home device, are not
interested in buying one.
The hardware industry also faces a number
of major obstacles, namely how the bulky
mechanical interface will work and fluid
functionality is achieved without sacrificing
the all-important aesthetic. The first company
to solve this conundrum will certainly win
big. Installers will also increasingly compete
with alarm and consumer security sectors as
the major alarm companies already have app
enabled systems, which tell you if a door or
window has been opened and will raise an
alarm if appropriate. How will this limit the
potential for door and window installers and
how can they compete with the ADT and
Chubbs of this world remains to be seen. Will
the alarm companies decide to move into door
and window installation?
THE LEGACY OF DOCUMENT Q
The introduction of Document Q guidelines
in 2016 has had a major effect on the new
build sector and the domestic refurbishment
sector is now under pressure to meet this same
specification (rumoured to be the government’s
long term objective!). Until recently, products
in the domestic refurbishment market were
generally better, or of higher quality security than
new-build, but the introduction of Document Q
has reversed this situation. Many products sold
into domestic refurbishment would now not be
allowed on new build homes and consumers
are currently being sold “high security” doors
and windows, which are nothing of the sort.
Developers are already reporting that their
customers are increasingly asking for “Doc Q” or
“PAS024” windows and doors and it is inevitable
that this demand will only increase. It should
become the norm to expect that replacement
windows and doors are built and installed to the
latest security standards. The overall impact of
this is that hopefully homes are better protected,
burglaries will be reduced, insurance premiums
will be lowered (but don’t hold your breath!),
security standards in the private sector will
be improved, and house buyers will get better
information as to the standard of security on the
house they purchase.
In the past the insurance sector has driven
minimum security standards in the residential
market, but they can’t monitor what is fitted
into private homes. Potentially the simplest
method of supervision is to have enhanced
FENSA registration that confirms compliance
with PAS024 – so that when a house is sold it
can only be sold with the appropriate FENSA
certification, either at the time of installation
or at the time the house is put up for sale.
The enforcement of this will probably happen
in due course, but with a pre-occupied
government it may not happen by 2020!
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN
FOR THE INDUSTRY?
Whilst these trends will mean more choice,
possibly more complex purchasing decisions
and greater cost for the end consumer,
ultimately security standards and effectiveness
will be hugely improved.
It will create new sales opportunities and
increase the average selling price, but those
companies not offering high security solutions
or who don’t have the skill sets required to
take advantage of them, will fall behind.
Specifically for Winlock these trends will
continue to drive our product development,
and we also expect significant take up of our
Stronghold Security Guarantee. Our aim with
this guarantee is to encourage our customers
to make their doors and windows PAS024
compliant.
www.winlock.co.uk
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