Architects and specifiers looking to build-in increased levels of security on new and refurbished buildings now have the widest-ever choice, according to building envelope specialist, Schueco UK Limited, whose range of AWS windows and ADS doors – believed to be the most comprehensive on the market – has just been granted full certification under Secured by Design (SBD), the official police security initiative.

The certification, carried out for Schueco by BM TRADA, a UKAS-approved independent test house, means that Schueco's AWS range of aluminium casement and tilt & turn windows together with its ADS range of aluminium inward/outward opening, single and double doorsets, comply fully to the SBD Police Preferred Specification.

Schueco UK believes that its certified systems will not only make buildings more secure, but will also lessen the hidden environmental impact of crime, citing Jon Cole, SBD Operations Manager, who explains: „Crime's current carbon footprint is calculated at 11.6million tonnes a year – 6million directly attributable to crime and 5.6million attributable to the consequences of crime.“

By helping to reduce emissions connected with criminal activities, Schueco UK will be supporting the company's overarching Energy² – Saving Energy, Generating Energy concept which spans its range of windows, doors, facades and solar systems.

With the recent introduction of SBD into the commercial and public non-housing construction markets, there has been an increase in the number of products that need to show compliance and Schueco UK is rising to the challenge that this represents by investing even further in the development of its AWS and ADS window and door systems.

The company is also taking an active and sponsoring role within the Council for Aluminium in Building in the development of a new and more stringent window and door security standard.