How to secure your windows from burglars

There are many models on the market, and not all of them are the same quality. As usual, the price goes up with the level of protection. Choose according to your needs. Often, all you need is to make your windows harder to penetrate than average and most burglars will simply give up and look for an easier target. You should know that though security films will effectively deter or delay break-ins, no security film will completely protect your windows from all kind of attacks.

Any security system can be broken by using the right tools for the right amount of time. Window security films may not seem to offer strong protection at first sight but a large portion of the burglaries can be prevented by using them in combination with a reliable locking system. Another way to burglar-proof your windows without using bars is to replace the standard glass pane with a more durable one. So what are the most popular solutions if you decide on replacing your old window glass pane to a more secure one?

Another of its feature is that when it breaks it shatters into small granular pieces. Even at best it will delay the entry. Laminated glass is another type of safety glass you can use to secure your windows. It consists of mixed layers of glass and vinyl that hold the glass together and prevent shattering.

Comparing to tempered glass, laminated glass will give you better protection against criminals. One major disadvantage of laminated glass is its price that goes up with thickness and durability. Installing window security bars and grilles are, without doubt, one of the most effective ways you can burglar-proof your windows. However, many people have ambivalent feelings towards them. If you think security window bars are ugly, I have to agree with you. However, not all of them are created equal: you can choose from plenty of models, and there are many that are pretty decorative.

You can also have a totally custom one made of course, that would be a more expensive choice according to your own taste. That allows you to quickly swing the bar out of the way in case of emergency.

Windows with a fixed bar can also be used as an emergency exit with the help of a quick release kit. It converts a stationary bar into a pivoting unit that you can release fast and easily from the inside simply by kicking the foot pedal. Note that not all window security bars will give you the same protection against burglars: quality materials and careful installation can significantly increase the level of security they provide.

Security screens are way less obtrusive than security bars and still provide real protection against intruders and natural disasters as well. At first glance, a security screen may look similar to a mosquito net, but at a closer look, the differences become obvious.

Security screens are usually made of stainless steel and can withstand many kinds of attacks, even heavy ones. I recommend that you choose a model that has an exit latch on the inside so that you can continue to use the window as an escape route in an emergency.

They not only make your windows much more secure but they also serve as effective visual deterrents. You can add security to any window by putting up security bars , grates or wire mesh. Caution note: Before you put up bars, grates or wire mesh over your windows consult your fire code!

Putting bars, grates, or wire mesh may cause a serious, life threatening situation in the event of a fire. Putting bars on the outside where they are more visible can act as a deterrent to the burglar and discourage them from attempting to break-in. If you are going to protect your windows with bars or grates, many recommend putting them on the inside.

A broken window is a small price to pay to keep burglars out. If you are installing bars, they should be installed in such a way that with one simple motion, like pushing a quick-release lever, the whole assembly falls out or swings out of the way, allowing you to easily escape during a fire.

Below are some guidelines to help you determine whether or not the bars you have or are planning to install are will provide you with a safe method of escape in case of an emergency. When burglar bars are installed on exit doors or windows of sleeping rooms they must be equipped with an approved quick release device which allows them to be opened from the inside without the use of a key, separate tool or any special knowledge or effort.

Note: There may be laws requiring quick release devices to be approved in writing by your local building or fire officials.

There may also be laws requiring your home to be equipped with an approved smoke detector if burglar bars are installed. Another problem homeowners often face when protecting their windows is how to let light and ventilation into a room while keeping burglars out. Adding an additional layer on your windows helps make them more resistant to impacts, further delaying the burglar.

A more long-term but expensive solution is to install panes of glass specifically designed for security and safety purposes. Ordinary glass can be shattered relatively easily on contact. Tempered glass is treated to resist breakage and so can be utilized for both safety and security purposes. It is not as tough, however, as some other types of glass discussed below. Thermally-tempered glass is made by placing a piece of regular glass in an oven, bringing it almost to the melting point and then chilling it rapidly.

When shattered, the glass breaks into relatively harmless chunks resembling rock salt, free of sharp edges. Fully tempered glass is three to five times stronger than glass that has not been tempered and is five times as resistant to heat.

Once the glass has been tempered, it cannot be cut or processed further. Tempered glass can be any thickness, and almost any type or color glass may be tempered except wired glass or glass with a deep patterned surface. Tempered glass is a logical choice for installation along passageways, in entrance doors and adjacent panels. Building codes in many jurisdictions now require this type of glass in areas or locations where individuals are likely to bump into it.

Laminated glass is well-suited for installation in street-level windows or displays, doorways, and other access areas where security is necessary. It is composed of two sheets of ordinary glass bonded to an intervening layer or layers of resilient plastic material, typically PVB polyvinylbutyral.

When laminated glass is broken, it may crack and break, but the pieces of glass tend to adhere to the plastic material. If a hole is produced, the edges are likely to be jagged, as with ordinary glass. Laminated glass helps protect against the "smash and grab" criminal. A criminal who encounters this type of glass cannot simply hammer his way through it within a few seconds and will be inclined to move to an easier target. However, given enough time, a burglar will be able to defeat laminated glass.

For extreme situations where you need serious protection, you can install bullet-resistant glass. On the other hand, you want to avoid using the name or copy the material of an existing brand because that could lead to copyright infringement issues.

Pro tip: Create your own, unique security system sticker or sign. Criminals love dark spots. Those are the places where they can hide and remain unnoticed. While most of the burglaries in the U. So, how can you spook them? That will most likely discourage invaders in the safest way possible without having to confront them.

Quick Tip: The bedroom is the first place where burglars start searching, so make sure you never hide a safe or any valuable item there. Instead, try these secret hiding places. Your property is the most vulnerable to intruders when there is nobody at home. You can also leave the vacuum or the mop bucket in the middle of the room.

Your goal is to make your home look lived in so that invaders choose another, less risky target. Burglars can easily spot if mail is not delivered to your house for several days.

Never post the exact date of your absence and your vacation photos on social media until you return home. A simple cylinder lock is not enough to stop criminals. You can be sure that most intruders will spot if your lock is an easy target. Your best choice is a Grade 1 deadbolt which is the most secure category. Burglars will notice if your door is equipped with that kind of lock and many times it will spook them.

You can replace your old deadbolt or you can also add one to your existing cylinder lock to reinforce your door. Make sure you use a secure and durable deadbolt strike plate installed with long anchor screws. That will prevent kick-ins and keep the crooks out. While it may seem obvious that you should lock your windows to keep burglars out, what you might not realize is that the locks that many windows come with are less than ideal and fairly easy for thieves to bypass.

There are numerous options available for secondary locks that can be installed to increase security on your windows. Pin locks are pins that slide into the window frame to keep it closed and track locks clip on the track of sliding windows and doors to keep them from opening. These types of installations often have the added benefit of preventing children from opening windows from the inside as well, so kids stay in and burglars stay out. One of the best ways to burglar-proof windows is to install polycarbonate safety shields, like DefenseLite , over your existing windows.

Polycarbonate is times stronger than glass and nearly impenetrable by would-be thieves. This option combines the low-profile appearance of security films with the performance of window bars to keep burglars at bay. Unlike glass, when these polycarbonate panels are hit with blunt objects like crowbars or rocks, they flex with the impact and deflect energy away.

Unable to break through these shields, most criminals give up and flee the scene leaving your windows intact and your valuables safe inside your home. If the exterior of your home is well-lit, burglars are less likely to see your home as a prime target.