What Is Secured by Design (SBD)? UK Windows and Doors Installer Guide

Secured by Design (SBD) is the UK police-led security accreditation scheme for windows, doors, locks and other building products. For homeowners specifying premium glazing, SBD comes up in two contexts: insurance policies that recognise or require it, and product spec sheets that list it as an upgrade. This guide explains what SBD is, how it differs from PAS 24, which brands we install carry it, and when it actually matters for your project.

What Secured by Design Is

Secured by Design is administered by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) through the SBD wing of the police. It is a product-level accreditation scheme: the SBD team tests and certifies door and window systems against police-led break-in test protocols, and the certification covers a specific configuration (door slab + frame + locks + hinges + glass type, all together as a system).

Unlike PAS 24, which is a Publicly Available Specification published by BSI, SBD is a scheme, meaning the certification covers ongoing manufacturer compliance and includes audit visits, not just a one-off product test.

The SBD logo on a product means the police-recognised independent testing body has tested that exact configuration and confirmed it meets a higher security threshold than the PAS 24 baseline.

SBD vs PAS 24:2022 — What's the Difference

The two certifications are often confused. Here is the practical difference:

| Aspect | PAS 24:2022 | Secured by Design | |---|---|---| | Source | BSI (British Standards Institution) | National Police Chiefs' Council | | Scope | Performance specification for opening profiles | Product accreditation scheme | | Test approach | Lab attack test against defined tool sets | Police-led test plus configuration audit | | Certification holds | Per opening profile / system | Per specific configuration | | Required by | Approved Document Q for new-build dwellings | Some insurance underwriters; some local authority spec | | Required hardware | 3-star TS007 anti-snap cylinder typical | PAS 24 plus additional configuration requirements | | Mandatory for | New-build dwellings (England/Wales) | Voluntary; required only where specified |

The simple version: PAS 24 is the legal minimum for new-build dwellings. SBD is a higher voluntary tier that covers the same ground plus additional configuration requirements verified by police-recognised testing.

For more on PAS 24 specifically see What Is FENSA and Why It Matters.

Which Brands We Install Carry SBD as Standard or Upgrade

SBD certification is configuration-specific. Most premium aluminium and composite door brands offer SBD as an upgrade rather than as standard, because the SBD configuration locks down hardware, locks and glass to a tighter specification than PAS 24 alone.

Cortizo (aluminium bifolds, sliders, casements)

Cortizo opening profiles are PAS 24:2022 certified across the range. Secured by Design configurations are available on the Cortizo Bi-Fold, Bi-fold Plus Door, Cor Vision Sliding, Cor Vision Plus Sliding and Cor 70 Hidden Sash systems as an upgrade. The SBD configuration typically requires a specific hardware set, glass spec (laminated inner pane on the door) and lock tier; we confirm at survey.

For Cortizo coverage see our Cortizo brand hub.

Schuco (aluminium bifolds, sliders, lift-and-slide, casements)

Schuco opening profiles are PAS 24:2022 certified. Secured by Design configurations are available across the AS FD 75, AS FD 90.HI, ASS 70.HI Bifold, Cornerless Bifold, ASE 60, ASE 80, ASS 70.HI Slimline, ASS 77 PD Panorama, AWS 70.HI, AWS 70 SC Slimline and AWS 70 Tilt-and-Turn ranges.

The Schuco ASS 77 PD Panorama additionally carries DIN EN 1627 RC2 burglar resistance: the German standard that overlaps with SBD on the burglar-resistance dimension but covers different test sets. Where insurance underwriters recognise both, ASS 77 PD with SBD configuration is the strongest spec.

For Schuco coverage see our Schuco brand hub.

Palladio (composite doors)

Palladio carries Secured by Design accreditation on qualifying door configurations. The SBD configuration locks down the cylinder spec, hinge spec, multi-point lock (5-point hook bolt), reinforced strike plates and laminated inner glass pane.

For Palladio coverage see our Palladio brand hub.

Gerda (steel security doors)

Gerda's BS EN 1627:2011 certification covers different ground from SBD. Gerda doors are tested to RC2 standard with RC3 upgrade on Optima and Thermo Premium. Per the BS EN 1627:2011 test set, RC3 exceeds SBD on the deliberate-attack dimension because RC3 includes crowbars, hammers and drills that SBD residential testing does not use.

In practice on a Gerda door, the BS EN 1627 RC2 / RC3 certification is the relevant spec; SBD is not the typical certification path because the underlying steel construction is already above the SBD residential threshold.

For Gerda coverage see Gerda RC2 vs RC3 Steel Doors and the Gerda brand hub.

SteelR (RC4 steel security doors)

SteelR is BS EN 1627:2011 RC4 in the single-leaf unglazed configuration. RC4 is materially above the SBD residential threshold because RC4 includes battery-operated power tools (drills, jigsaws, oscillating saws) in the test set. Where the property risk profile justifies RC4, SBD is not the lead spec.

For SteelR coverage see the SteelR brand hub.

Rehau (uPVC)

Rehau TOTAL70, Slinova and Rio are PAS 24:2022 certified. Secured by Design configurations are available on qualifying Rehau profiles where the underwriter requires it. uPVC SBD configurations are common on local authority or insurance-driven new-build specifications.

For Rehau coverage see our Rehau brand hub.

Korniche (roof lanterns)

Roof lanterns sit outside the typical SBD scope because they are roof-glazing rather than vertical opening profiles. Korniche's security position is built around the laminated glass option and the structural aluminium frame, not SBD certification.

For Korniche coverage see our Korniche brand hub.

Which UK Insurers Actually Recognise SBD

The pattern varies by underwriter:

• High-net-worth specialists (Hiscox, Chubb, AIG Private Client and others) recognise SBD on entrance doors and windows, typically with premium adjustments rather than as a hard requirement.
• Mainstream home insurers rarely require SBD but will recognise it. Most mainstream policies require PAS 24 minimum on opening profiles.
• Specific high-risk policies (rural properties, properties with valuable contents, properties in higher-crime postcodes) may require SBD or BS EN 1627 RC2 minimum on the front entrance.
• Local authority new-build specifications sometimes require SBD on opening profiles as a planning condition.

Always check with your specific insurer or local authority before specifying. We supply the SBD certification documentation needed for the policy file or planning condition.

When SBD Is Worth Specifying

SBD is the right upgrade in three scenarios:

• Insurance underwriter requires or discounts for it — high-net-worth policies often justify the upgrade
• Local authority new-build specification requires it — particularly common on London borough planning conditions
• Property risk profile — rural or isolated properties, properties with valuable contents, properties in higher-crime postcodes

For most standard suburban properties without one of these triggers, PAS 24:2022 (which is the legal minimum for new-build dwellings anyway) is sufficient. SBD is a configuration-specific certification with specific commercial use cases, used where insurance, planning or risk profile justifies the upgrade.

What the SBD Configuration Actually Includes

When we quote an SBD configuration on a Cortizo, Schuco, Palladio or Rehau system, the spec typically locks down:

• Cylinder: 3-star TS007 anti-snap, anti-drill, anti-bump (above the PAS 24 minimum)
• Multi-point lock: Specific lock tier and engagement-point count for the system
• Hinges: Reinforced anti-removal hinges with security pins
• Strike plates: Reinforced steel strike plates at all locking points
• Glass: Laminated inner pane on the door (resists removal under attack)
• Frame fixings: Tested attack-resistant fixings into the structural opening
• Threshold: Specific threshold detail for the system

The SBD configuration is not modular. You cannot choose the cylinder upgrade and skip the laminated glass. The certification covers the configuration as a unit.

Pricing

Vitrum Solutions is a quote-driven business. SBD configurations typically carry a modest premium over the PAS 24 standard configuration on the same system, varying with the brand, the door tier and the hardware set required for SBD compliance. We confirm the SBD upgrade price at quote stage based on the system specified and the configuration the underwriter requires.

Final price is set after a free no-obligation survey at your property.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Secured by Design mean?

Secured by Design (SBD) is the UK police-led security accreditation scheme for windows and doors, administered by the National Police Chiefs' Council. SBD-certified products have been tested and audited against police-led break-in protocols at a higher threshold than the PAS 24:2022 baseline. The certification covers a specific configuration of door slab, frame, locks, hinges and glass tested as a unit.

Is Secured by Design the same as PAS 24:2022?

No. PAS 24:2022 is a performance specification published by BSI, mandated by Approved Document Q for new-build dwellings. SBD is a voluntary product accreditation scheme administered by the police, requiring PAS 24 plus additional configuration requirements verified through police-recognised independent testing. SBD is a higher voluntary tier; PAS 24 is the legal new-build minimum.

Do I need Secured by Design for my home insurance?

For mainstream home insurance policies, no. PAS 24:2022 is typically sufficient. For high-net-worth policies with specialist underwriters (Hiscox, Chubb, AIG Private Client and others), SBD is commonly recognised with premium adjustments rather than as a hard requirement. For specific high-risk policies (rural properties, valuable contents, higher-crime postcodes), SBD may be required on the front entrance. Always check with your specific underwriter.

Which of the brands you install carry Secured by Design?

SBD configurations are available as an upgrade on Cortizo (bifolds, sliders, casements), Schuco (bifolds, sliders, lift-and-slide, casements), Palladio (composite doors) and Rehau (uPVC). Gerda (steel) carries the higher BS EN 1627:2011 RC2 or RC3 certification which overlaps with but is distinct from SBD. SteelR (steel) carries BS EN 1627 RC4, which is materially above the SBD residential threshold.

What does SBD certification actually cover?

SBD certifies a specific door or window configuration: the slab, frame, multi-point lock, cylinder, hinges, strike plates, glass spec and frame fixings tested as a single unit. The certification is not modular; you cannot mix-and-match individual components. SBD typically requires a 3-star TS007 anti-snap cylinder, reinforced anti-removal hinges, reinforced strike plates, a laminated inner glass pane on the door and tested attack-resistant frame fixings.

Is Secured by Design worth the upgrade premium?

It depends on the trigger. If your insurance underwriter requires or discounts for SBD, the upgrade typically pays back through the premium adjustment. If your local authority new-build specification requires it, it is mandatory. For most standard suburban properties without one of these triggers, PAS 24:2022 is sufficient. SBD is a configuration-specific certification used where insurance, planning or risk profile justifies the upgrade.

Can a property be SBD-certified, or just the windows and doors?

The full Secured by Design Homes scheme certifies an entire dwelling at the design and build stage, covering windows, doors, lighting, lock specs, fencing and other security elements together. The product-level SBD certification we cover here is the per-system component (door or window configuration). Many premium new-build developments target Secured by Design Homes certification, with SBD-certified opening profiles as one of the conditions.

Does Secured by Design help with UK Building Regulations?

Approved Document Q (security in dwellings) requires PAS 24:2022 minimum on opening profiles in new-build dwellings in England and Wales. SBD configurations exceed PAS 24 so they comfortably meet Approved Document Q. Approved Document L (thermal performance) and Approved Document Q are independent; SBD does not affect Approved Document L compliance. Vitrum Solutions handles FENSA registration on every installation, so all Building Regulations compliance is documented automatically.

Getting a Quote

Vitrum Solutions installs Secured by Design configurations across Cortizo, Schuco, Palladio and Rehau systems where the upgrade is required or recognised by your insurance underwriter or local authority specification. Request a free quote and we will confirm whether the SBD configuration is the right specification for your project and supply the certification documentation needed for the policy file.

For more on related security specifications see Gerda RC2 vs RC3 Steel Doors, What Is FENSA and Why It Matters, and Insurance-Backed Guarantees Explained.