UP THE WALL ART

The humble radiator today comes in all shapes and sizes and is a designer item rather than a prosaic necessity for the home interior. Hidden valves and ultra-thin steel have revolutionised the design of Sfere, available in 80 colours, (pictured), while the minimalist I-Ching parallel bars can be hung horizontally to hold towels or vertically for bath robes. Both designs from The Radiator Centre.

The most vulnerable part of your property is the front door. Modern timber doors are thicker than original Victorian or later period doors (64mm) - adding more timber increases the strength of the door dramatically. Use Banham mortice locks and always two deadlocks, making sure these are engaged overnight, and always locked when the property is empty. Replace intercoms and your old spyhole with wi-fi video cameras, such as Ring, that can alert you to motion straight to your mobile.

Double glazing is far more difficult to break and avoided by burglars as there is a higher chance of DNA being caught on the glazing materials. Toughened glass is essential for front door glazed panels and consider laminated glass for more vulnerable locations, such as the rear and side of a property. Like a car windscreen, it also has the advantage of not shattering.

Source: Ayrton Bespoke