Window Locks

Window locks are an important feature of any home security. High quality window locks are an essential part of keeping a home safe and secure as well as deterring thieves from attempting a break in. Here at ERA, we have a wide range of dependable casement window locks to choose from that come complete with a 10 year mechanical guarantee. From a basic espagnolette, to the strong double cam lock, right through to the exceptionally flexible non croppable shootbolt system.

We have a comprehensive selection of window locks to suit customer needs and any application. Many of our systems meet the requirements of PAS 24 and alongside our casement window handles and security hinges are backed by the Total Security Guarantee for a complete secure window system.

The window lock is the primary security component on any casement window — the mechanism that keeps the sash closed against the frame when the window is not in use.

The Range

Selecting the right lock type for the window, the system and the security requirement is one of the most important specification decisions a fabricator or installer will make, and getting it wrong creates either a performance shortfall or an unnecessary cost.

ERA's casement window lock range is designed to make that selection straightforward, covering every lock type from standard espagnolette locks for everyday residential applications through to high-security non-croppable shootbolt locks for PAS 24 compliant installations on new build and commercial projects.

There is a meaningful difference in security performance between lock types, and understanding that difference matters for anyone advising a client or specifying for a project.

A cam lock — whether double cam or offset twin cam — provides a secure, reliable closure for most residential windows by engaging a hardened cam into a keep on the opposite frame section.

This is a well-established and proven approach that suits the majority of standard installations.

A shootbolt lock goes significantly further, driving locking bolts into keeps at both the top and bottom of the frame simultaneously when the handle is operated — securing the sash at multiple points along its full height rather than at a single point.

The difference in forced entry resistance between the two approaches is substantial, and for any installation where enhanced security is a specification requirement, the shootbolt is the appropriate choice.

ERA's Extreme shootbolt range is the flagship of the window lock collection, and represents the most advanced casement window security solution ERA offers.

The Extreme, Extreme2 and Extreme3 variants provide a graduated range of shootbolt options to suit different frame profiles, backset dimensions and installation requirements — giving fabricators and installers the flexibility to specify the most appropriate shootbolt for the specific window system they are working with.

The Extreme range is non-croppable, meaning the shootbolt mechanism cannot be defeated by cropping the bolt — a known attack method on less robust locking systems — providing an additional layer of security assurance beyond the bolt engagement itself.

For applications where a shootbolt is not required but a more secure alternative to a basic espagnolette lock is appropriate, ERA's double cam lock and flush double cam lock provide an effective middle ground.

The double cam mechanism engages two cam points rather than one, increasing the contact area between lock and keep and providing greater resistance to forced opening than a single-cam system.

The flush double cam variant is specifically designed for windows where a low-profile lock installation is required — sitting flush with the window sash for a neater appearance and reduced projection into the window reveal.

The offset twin cam lock extends ERA's cam lock offering to cover window systems where the lock and keep cannot be aligned in the standard configuration, providing a practical solution for profile combinations where a standard double cam would not correctly engage.

Espagnolette locks complete the range, providing the basic locking function for windows where the espagnolette system handles the primary closure and a separate lock body is required to complete the installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of casement window lock does ERA stock?

ERA stocks four main types of casement window lock: double cam locks, including a standard and flush double cam version; offset twin cam locks; espagnolette locks; and shootbolt locks across the Extreme, Extreme2, Extreme3, FM/Valiant and deadlock ranges.

What is a double cam window lock and how does it work?

A double cam window lock engages two hardened cam points into a keep on the opposite section of the window frame when the window handle is operated, securing the sash at a central point.

The dual cam design provides greater locking engagement than a single cam, increasing resistance to the sash being forced open.

ERA's double cam locks are available in a standard format and a flush format — the flush double cam sits flat against the sash face for a lower-profile installation suited to windows where projection into the window reveal is a concern.

What is an offset twin cam lock and when is it needed?

An offset twin cam lock is a cam lock variant designed for window profiles where the standard alignment between lock body and keep is not achievable — typically where the sash and frame profiles create an offset relationship at the meeting point.

Rather than the cams projecting directly forward, the offset twin cam is configured to engage at an angle that accommodates this offset geometry, allowing the lock to function correctly in profile combinations where a standard double cam would not align or engage properly.

ERA stocks offset twin cam locks to ensure installers have the right solution for the full range of PVCu and timber window profiles they encounter.

What is a shootbolt window lock and why does it provide higher security than a cam lock?

A shootbolt window lock drives steel bolts into keeps at the top and bottom of the window frame simultaneously when the handle is operated, securing the sash at multiple points along its full height.

This multi-point engagement distributes the locking force across the height of the frame rather than concentrating it at a single central point, making the window significantly more resistant to forced entry than a cam lock — which secures the sash at one point only.

The difference in resistance is substantial: a sash secured at top, centre and bottom requires a much greater and more complex attack than one secured only at the centre.

For any installation where enhanced window security is required — including PAS 24 compliant new build windows — a shootbolt is the appropriate specification.

What is ERA's Extreme shootbolt range and what are the differences between Extreme, Extreme2 and Extreme3?

ERA's Extreme shootbolt range is the company's flagship casement window lock collection, designed to provide the highest level of security performance in a shootbolt format.

The Extreme, Extreme2 and Extreme3 variants are optimised for different backset dimensions and frame profiles, allowing fabricators to select the most appropriate version for the specific window system being manufactured or installed.

All three variants are non-croppable — engineered to resist cropping attacks where an intruder attempts to cut or snap the exposed bolt — and all meet the requirements for PAS 24 compliant installations when combined with compatible ERA handles and hinges.

The Extreme range carries ERA's Total Security Guarantee as part of a complete window security system.

What does non-croppable mean for a window shootbolt lock?

A non-croppable shootbolt is a lock whose bolt mechanism has been specifically engineered to resist being cropped — a method of attack where an intruder uses heavy-duty cutters to sever the exposed bolt and defeat the lock without needing to manipulate the locking mechanism itself.

Standard shootbolt bolts, if sufficiently exposed at the frame perimeter, can be vulnerable to this attack.

ERA's Extreme shootbolt range incorporates a non-croppable design that prevents this attack method from succeeding, providing an additional assurance of security performance beyond the multi-point locking engagement that all shootbolt locks provide.

What is an espagnolette lock for casement windows?

An espagnolette lock is a locking mechanism integrated into the window's espagnolette gearbox — the rod-driven system that runs along the sash and is operated by the window handle.

In some window systems, the espagnolette gearbox alone provides the locking function; in others, a separate espagnolette lock body is required to complete the installation.

ERA's espagnolette lock range provides the lock bodies needed for these configurations, ensuring the espagnolette system delivers reliable, secure closure in the window systems where this lock format is the correct specification.