Guide
Tilt windows of death: how to protect your cat
by Darina Schweizer
Cheap, ugly, but useful: the Gardinia window latch
28-7-2025
Translation: Katherine Martin
Pictures: Stefanie Lechthaler
My windows don’t tilt, so they slam shut every time there’s a breeze. Supposedly, these Gardinia window latches will finally nip this problem in the bud. I’m putting them to the test to see if they can keep that promise.
The windows in my flat don’t tilt, so any time there’s the slightest draught, I’m treated to a cacophony of slamming sounds. This gives me a fright every time it happens, and it’s starting to get on my nerves.
Gardinia’s budget-friendly window latches are designed to put a stop to this noisy issue. However, although they work reasonably well, I’m still not entirely satisfied with them.
Thankfully drill-free
The plastic components are pretty cheap-looking. I imagine they’d soon break or turn brittle when exposed to temperature fluctuations and sunlight.
However, since I live in a rented flat, latches that need to be drilled into the window frame aren’t an option for me. These Gardinia ones, on the other hand, can simply be stuck on and taken off again later.
Two-step installation
Installing the latches is child’s play. The only tool you need is a Phillips screwdriver, which you use to attach the bracket to the window you want to keep open.
I pop the bar into the self-adhesive panel and clean the spot on the window frame where I’m planning to attach it. The bar moves up and down fairly awkwardly, confirming my first impression that the latches were low quality. I let the bar snap into the bracket so that I know exactly where on the window I should place it. Finally, I take off the protective film and stick the panel to the window frame.
Without thinking, I tear the surprisingly sticky panel off the window frame and place it further to the left. Now it’s too far from the latch, so I move the panel again, placing it above the bracket this time. The window closes in this position, but now the latch can’t engage at every level. I readjust it several times until I find the best compromise between securely closing the window and allowing the latch to engage at as many levels as possible.
Good in the long run? Time will tell
Although the look of the window latch doesn’t appeal to me at all, I’m happy as long as it does its job. Since I’ve moved the panel several times, the adhesive probably won’t last quite as long as it’s supposed to. I’m particularly curious to find out whether the mechanism will be able to withstand wind, and if so, for how long.
Have you figured out a better solution to this problem? I’d love to read your tips in the comments.
In a nutshell
They’re cheap, ugly, but do the job
Gardinia window latches are an inexpensive, drill-free solution, suitable for rental flats. Attaching them to your windows is quick and easy, even if the plastic parts look slightly cheap. Unfortunately, positioning the adhesive panel is tricky. If you don’t get the position exactly right, the latch won’t engage properly or your window won’t close. The latches don’t win any beauty contests either.
Pro
- Straightforward, drill-free installation
- Ideal for rental flats
Contra
- Material doesn’t look that robust
- Difficult to position precisely
Header image: Stefanie Lechthaler
Painting the walls just before handing over the flat? Making your own kimchi? Soldering a broken raclette oven? There's nothing you can't do yourself. Well, perhaps sometimes, but I'll definitely give it a try.
