Windows, patio doors and entrance doors are not just "openings in the wall". They are every home's critical security points. Today, concealed magnetic contacts (reed switches) embedded invisibly inside aluminium profiles during manufacture transform every window and door into a "security sensor".
Combined with automatic locks (motor locks) and biometric systems (fingerprint scanner, keypad lock), your windows and doors become an integral part of a complete Smart Home ecosystem, delivering security, energy savings and total daily convenience.
A magnetic contact (reed contact) consists of two elements: a small magnet in the moving sash and a glass reed switch in the fixed frame. When the sash closes, the magnet activates the reed and the circuit closes - signal "closed". The moment it opens, the circuit breaks - signal "open".
In modern aluminium windows, the contact is milled invisibly inside the profile. Nothing is visible - no cable, no plastic box stuck to the frame. The aesthetics remain pristine, unlike the exposed sensors of traditional alarm systems that leave loose cables running down walls.
The primary use of magnetic contacts is connecting them to the central alarm panel. When the alarm is armed (Away or Night mode) and a window opens, the reed breaks the circuit and the panel reacts:
Modern panels (Ajax, Paradox, DSC) send a push notification even if you are in another country. You see exactly which zone triggered - "Zone 4: living room patio door". You know instantly whether to call security or whether you simply forgot to close it.
Simultaneously, the indoor siren sounds (before or together with the outdoor one) and the signal is relayed to the CMS (Central Monitoring Station) of your security company. The response happens in seconds - long before the intruders realise what is happening.
Even when the alarm is disarmed, the system can send you a reminder: "The kitchen window has been open for 2 hours". Perfect in winter: you save on heating outdoor air and avoid mould from forgotten open windows.
The magnetic contact tells you whether the door is latched. But who does the latching? That is where Motor Locks come in - motorised multipoint locks that turn the cylinders automatically the moment you close the sash.
Imagine: you close the entrance door, hear a calm "click" - three locking points engage automatically (hooks + cylinder). No key, no handle, no manual action. You unlock only with a fingerprint, PIN code or RFID card. No physical key required.
The fingerprint scanner stores up to 100 fingerprints. Grandma has a key? The cleaner gets a 4-digit code. A one-time technician receives a temporary code that expires after 18:00. Full control, zero key duplication.
Every entry/exit is logged: time, date, method (fingerprint, code, RFID). You know exactly when the cleaner arrived and left. For hotels or Airbnb rentals, this feature equals a digital 24/7 reception desk.
Motor locks have an internal battery or an emergency cylinder. In case of complete discharge, you open with a physical key from the side. Zero risk of being "locked in". Life safety always takes precedence.
When magnetic contacts and motor locks are integrated into a central system (KNX, Z-Wave, Zigbee or a simple Smart Home app), the full power of automation is unlocked.
Opened the patio door? The air conditioners / radiators in that room shut off automatically. Closed again? They restart. This alone can reduce heating/cooling bills by 10–20% on an annual basis.
"Goodnight": All openings are checked - any left open? You get a notification. All closed? Motor locks engage, lights go off, alarm arms automatically. One scene, zero thought.
In offices, hotels and retail spaces, centrally monitoring all openings is not a luxury - it is an insurance company requirement. Integrating concealed contacts dramatically reduces insurance costs and significantly increases site security.
💡 Tip: Request integrated magnetic contacts when ordering your windows. Retrofitting is possible but more expensive. Plan the cabling from the start in collaboration with the electrician and the alarm technician.
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