Supplying PAS 24 Windows for Trade: Stay Compliant, Win More Work
Understanding PAS 24: What Trade Installers Need to Know
PAS 24 is the UK’s recognised benchmark for enhanced security performance in windows and doors. Developed by the British Standards Institution (BSI), the specification outlines rigorous testing methods to assess a product’s resistance to physical attacks – from forced entry to manipulation of hardware.
For trade customers, understanding PAS 24 is not optional. As explained in the UK government’s Building Regulations Part Q, PAS 24 compliance is a legal requirement for new-build homes and many change-of-use properties. It is also becoming a de facto standard in renovations and social housing upgrades, where insurers and developers increasingly demand proof of certified performance.
Unlike general security claims, PAS 24 certification provides third-party validation of the complete window unit – frame, hardware and glazing – not just individual components. For trade partners, this offers a tangible selling point: reliable security backed by nationally recognised compliance.
Why PAS 24 Certified Windows Give You a Commercial Edge
For trade installers and fabricators, offering PAS 24 certified aluminium windows isn’t just a regulatory necessity – it’s a way to stand out in a crowded market. These windows meet the security requirements set out in Approved Document Q of the UK Building Regulations, ensuring they’re suitable for use in new builds and change-of-use refurbishments where enhanced resistance to burglary is required.
What sets PAS 24 apart is the level of independent testing involved. Windows must withstand a series of simulated break-in attempts, including impact, manipulation, and forced entry tests. By supplying windows that meet this standard, you’re not just complying with regulations – you’re providing real peace of mind to developers, contractors, and ultimately, homeowners.
Mercury’s aluminium window range, including our heritage window system, is designed to meet PAS 24 performance requirements while retaining the slim sightlines and architectural integrity often demanded by planning officers in conservation zones.
PAS 24 certification also plays a role in insurance and resale value. When windows are demonstrably secure, they contribute to lower home insurance premiums and add assurance to property purchasers. In a compliance-driven market, PAS 24 windows help you deliver both quality and reassurance.
What PAS 24 Testing Really Involves
PAS 24 testing is far more than a box-ticking exercise. Windows and doors must undergo a sequence of rigorous physical challenges designed to simulate forced entry using real-world burglary methods. The process includes:
- Manual attack testing: Attempting entry using screwdrivers, crowbars and pliers
- Mechanical loading: Applying force to locks, hinges and fixings to check structural integrity
- Impact testing: Striking key areas with a weighted ram to test resistance
- Glazing security assessment: Checking how easily glass or beading can be removed
- Hardware manipulation: Trying to force locks or open sashes from outside
Products must pass as a complete unit, not as standalone components. This means any changes – to the frame, the handle or the locks – can invalidate the certification if not retested.
As noted in recent security guidance from the NPSA, consistency and whole-system performance are what matter. For trade professionals, working with manufacturers like Mercury Glazing ensures peace of mind – every unit is fabricated and assembled with compliance in mind, so you’re not left guessing if your order meets spec.
Built for Regulation: Understanding PAS 24
PAS 24 is a security performance standard created by the British Standards Institution (BSI) to assess how well windows and doors withstand forced entry. While often referred to in the trade simply as “PAS 24,” it’s formally linked to the requirements in Approved Document Q of the Building Regulations, which states that all accessible doors and windows in new dwellings must resist physical attack by a burglar.
PAS 24 testing is rigorous. It includes impact testing, manual intervention with tools, and mechanical load tests, ensuring that products can withstand real-world burglary attempts. Installers and developers working on compliant new builds or permitted refurbishments need certainty that what they install is fully tested – not just part-compliant on paper.
This is where Mercury Glazing stands apart. Our aluminium window systems, including slimline and heritage ranges, are designed with PAS 24 certification in mind. Not only does this keep you compliant, it makes specification easier for M&E consultants, site managers, and architects alike.
For full details, you can view the official government guidance in Approved Document Q.
Designed to Comply – Without Compromising Style
In many sensitive or conservation-led developments, there’s a tension between security compliance and planning constraints. Fortunately, Mercury’s PAS 24 certified aluminium products – especially those in our heritage window collection – bridge this gap.
Approved for use in a variety of conservation settings, our heritage windows preserve traditional aesthetics while incorporating hidden security features. Slim profiles, authentic sightlines, and heritage-style hardware mean that planners see historical continuity, while contractors get the certification they need.
One of the key benefits of partnering with a manufacturer like Mercury is that we don’t retrofit security features as an afterthought. Instead, PAS 24 is built into the design from the outset – ensuring you never have to sacrifice compliance for appearance.
As Steven Cross, Director at Mercury Glazing, explains:
“We work closely with trade clients to recommend the most cost-effective route to PAS 24 compliance, without adding unnecessary manufacturing complexity or delay. That’s the advantage of working with a true fabricator, not a drop-shipper.”
A Fabricator’s Edge: PAS 24 from a UK Manufacturer
One of the reasons Mercury Glazing has earned the trust of trade professionals is our ability to manufacture in-house. This means you’re not relying on third-party importers or systems companies – you’re working with a UK-based fabricator who can provide reliable, fully certified PAS 24 windows direct from source.
When dealing with time-sensitive projects, clarity matters. Mercury’s ability to advise on compliant specs, manufacture to order, and turn around bespoke aluminium windows within tight timeframes gives our partners a genuine edge.
The Smart Visofold 1000 aluminium bifold doors and our heritage-style window systems are both available with PAS 24 enhancements, giving installers flexibility across a wide range of projects. Whether your client needs secure access doors or discreet sash replacements, Mercury’s full control over the process ensures consistent standards across every opening.
Beyond security, all PAS 24 products must pass robustness and durability benchmarks, making them ideal for both residential and light commercial installations. And because we design and test our systems ourselves, our team can offer expert guidance to help you meet current NPSA guidance and emerging security standards.
Helping You Stay Ahead of Spec Updates
Trade professionals face constant changes in building regulations and security specifications, especially when working on large-scale residential projects. Staying on top of what’s required – and what’s coming next – isn’t always easy. That’s where Mercury Glazing steps in. We keep our trade partners informed of key updates, including revisions to Approved Document Q and emerging guidance from security authorities such as the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA).
Whether you’re responding to a client’s new-build brief or adapting to retrofit security standards, we can help you select the most appropriate PAS 24 compliant aluminium windows for the job. Our technical team understands not just product performance – but the pressure of getting it right first time. If you need guidance balancing compliance with cost, we’ll guide you through the most effective solution to meet spec and save time on site.
Meeting Client Demands Without Delay
No matter how secure or stylish a window is, it needs to arrive on time. That’s why Mercury has invested in our in-house manufacturing and dispatch systems – so you can rely on lead times, even when demand is high.
All our trade aluminium windows are built at our Gloucester facility, giving us total control over quality and production schedules. PAS 24 upgrades are available across a wide selection of product lines, including heritage windows and our Smart Visofold 1000 aluminium bifold doors, making it easier to specify a fully secure, regulation-compliant glazing package.
Unlike third-party resellers or drop shippers, we don’t depend on someone else’s timelines. You get accurate quotes, honest lead time forecasts, and a technical team who will make sure your delivery matches your install schedule.
As Steven Cross, Director, puts it:
“We’re not here to sell boxes. We’re here to make life easier for installers who care about performance and deadlines – and do it with products we actually manufacture ourselves.”
Let’s Talk Compliance and Competitive Advantage
Being able to supply PAS 24 windows isn’t just about meeting a standard – it’s about staying competitive, winning better work, and building long-term client trust. With Mercury Glazing as your manufacturing partner, you’ll have access to compliant products, trade-first lead times, and genuine support when you need it most.
We’ll help you specify, price and deliver the right PAS 24 solution for your next project. Whether you’re working with developers, housing associations, or homeowners who demand assurance, our team is here to support you.
Explore our trade aluminium windows or heritage PAS 24 options today – or get in touch to discuss your next installation.
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