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LPS2081 & Secured by Design Rooflight: Are They Worth It?

By April 14, 2025No Comments

Understanding LPS2081 & Secured by Design in Rooflights & Skylights

Secured by Design (SBD) accreditation is essential for rooflights due to the fact that, like windows and doors, rooflights are potential weaknesses for break-ins. There is often a lack of consideration for flat glass rooflights in security planning, which is why, in addition to certifying entrance doors, it is imperative to ensure that rooflights are SBD compliant.

The following points explain why SBD accreditation is important for roof windows. SBD-accredited rooflights are tested to:
✅ Withstand attack for 1-3 minutes, forcing burglars to take longer and attract attention.
✅ Glass remains intact even if the outer pane breaks, preventing easy access.
✅ Use reinforced fixings so the unit can’t simply be removed.

The Importance of SBD Accreditation for Flat Rooflights

  1. Prolong Break-ins

  2. Ensures Compliance with Building Regulations Section Q, which enforces that new builds to residential properties have secured windows and doors, including rooflights. This is important for homeowners and developers to manage compliance risk.

  3. Improved Glass Toughness

  4. Tougher Frames and Fixings – SBD-certified rooflights are much more secure than their frameless counterparts, which do not have adequate frames or mechanical fixings. (We suggest avoiding frameless rooflights, even though they can be very economical.)

  5. Reduced Insurance Premiums
    SBD-accredited rooflights will reduce the chances of forced entry, thus making the property more secure and may help to lower your insurance premiums.

Why Would a Burglar Attempt to Break a Rooflight?

  • Lack of Awareness
    • Some burglars may not realize the rooflight is security-rated (e.g., LPS2081 certified) and try to break in anyway.
    • They may assume the glass is standard and easier to break.

  • Targeted Burglary
    • Knowing that certain valuable items are inside could lead them to take the chance. It is reasonable to think the other entry points would be easier to break.
    • It could be assumed the property is not occupied, making it easier to get away without being caught.

  • Noise Isn’t Always a Deterrent
    • In cases where the property is isolated, noise is less worrying.
    • For busier places, the sound of glass shattering could go completely undetected.

  • Distraction Techniques
    • Some burglars may trigger some form of an alarm to test if there is a response or if they have freedom to enter. If nothing happens, they proceed to break in.
    • Some break off only one side of the glass pane in an effort to avoid being detected by completely shattering the whole pane.

  • Desperation or Opportunistic Crime
    • A burglar who goes in to knock off cash or is under some form of influence is likely to take undue risks.
    • Unskilled burglars or those who indulge in destroying property for fun may do so without rationally thinking.
    • Even though the chances of death from falling are low, falling on furniture or kitchen worktops can lead to life-changing injuries.

Would a Burglar Actually Enter a Building via a Rooflight?

Even though rooflights do have a potential weakness, they remain a less-than-favorable option for burglars due to the following reasons:

  1. Injury Risk – Dropping through a rooflight without knowing where they’ll land can cause sprains, fractures, or worse. A burglar landing on hard flooring or kitchen furniture is not a safe option.

  2. Escape Issue – While a burglar can break in, they’ll face difficulty escaping with the stolen items. Climbing back up through a rooflight is a lot more strenuous than escaping through a door.

  3. Time Factor – Unlike smashing a window or breaking down a door, shattering security or laminated glass takes time and makes excessive noise.

  4. Other Less Secure Entryways – Reinforced rooflights are harder to breach than many sliding or bifold doors that have little to no laminated glass.

Is Secured by Design Worth the Extra Cost?

Secured by Design comes with many benefits for certain projects and properties. When deciding on an SBD rooflight, you should consider:
• Does it need to comply with Part Q of the building regulation? (Best to check with an architect or council.)
• If security is a top priority, SBD-rated rooflights can provide extra peace of mind.

Conclusion:

We don’t think rooflights and skylights are the best options for an entry point when modern developments and renovation projects already have so many windows and doors.
The majority of certified SBD rooflights are supplied with high-performance laminated glass, which is framed and mechanically fixed.
If an SBD-certified rooflight is not an option for you, then we recommend purchasing a rooflight that is supplied with:

  • A frame that is mechanically fixed to the structure.

  • An outer pane of toughened heat-soaked glass.

  • A high-strength or toughened laminated inner pane. Depending on the size of the rooflight, the minimum thicknesses can be 9.5mm or 11.5mm, and may go up to 13.5mm, or even 17.5mm.

Frameless rooflights should be avoided, not only for security but also for the longevity of the product and design. These rooflights are typically offered as triple-glazed units without a frame.

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