Burglar proofing for wooden windows

Place close to your windows items that topple over or that make noise when touched or stepped upon. You will be alerted by the noise from those objects in case a burglar or robber tries to enter through your window. One mistake most people make is connecting only their doors to their security alarm systems.

The truth is, burglars are getting more skilled and would rather enter your home through your windows than through the doors. So, having your windows connected to the alarm system is a smart approach. Whenever a window is forced open, your alarm goes off, and the burglar runs away.

Most of the time, windows come with pre-installed locks. So, you should install new locks on your windows. This will discourage them. Caution: always keep a copy of your key close to the window in case you need to escape during an emergency. Before attempting to break into a home, most burglars would look through large windows to see if that home is worth robbing.

However, by having tinted or reflective glass on your windows, you will keep an intruder guessing, and this will lower the chance of him robbing your home. In conclusion, if you put the above measures in place, you will protect your home from burglars who may want to break in through your windows.

Sash jammers are simple and inexpensive devices that prevent forced entries through windows that open either inwards or outwards. Usually, you have to install them on the window jamb and rotate the arm to a locking position when you want to secure your windows. In the case of an outward opening window, the sash jammer should be mounted on the sash.

Sash jammers usually provide enough resistance to prevent criminals from opening your windows from the outside. Pin locks are pretty popular nowadays. Installing is quite simple and usually takes only a few minutes. The pin goes through a hole that you have to drill into both sashes to prevent sliding of the window.

There are keyed locks available for both sliding and double-hung windows. Using a dowel is probably the cheapest, yet effective solution out there to secure a sliding window.

Dowels can be made of metal, plastic or wood. Usually, a wood dowel is your best bet to burglar-proof your window. This is how it works: first, cut the dowel to size so that it fits between the window jamb and the sash, then place it on the track to prevent the window from sliding. A hinged wedge lock installed on a double-hung window will prevent the lower sash from being lifted. The lock has to be mounted on the upper sash and it can be deactivated by simply swinging the wedge part away.

Then you can fully open the window. Keep in mind that some hinged wedge locks available at stores are poor quality and will break easily when applying some force on them. Therefore, if you really want to improve window security, make sure you buy a good-quality wedge lock and try to avoid flimsy ones. If you have a sliding door, you should definitely secure it. We have an article on the most effective ways you can improve sliding patio door security here.

Reinforcing your windows with security bars seems to be an obvious solution, but what if you find them unsightly or worry about fire safety? In that case, window film can be one of your best choices. In brief, it prevents the glass from shattering and keep it in place. 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.

Not only that, but our burglar-proof glass products also help prevent damage to glass storefronts during riots, which can be important for buildings located in downtown areas. We can provide security glass for new commercial buildings or retrofit existing commercial facilities to upgrade their security, often without the need to remove and replace the glass that is already in place.

We can quickly and professionally install security window films right on top of your existing window and door glass to prevent easy entry by burglars. Our burglar-proof window films can be installed both inside and outside your glass windows and doors to provide two extra layers of protection against potential intruders.

The film holds the glass in place, even after repeated blows and attempts to break through it. We also offer tinted security window films if you want added privacy or solar heat resistance. All our window films have a Another option to make the existing glass on your windows and doors more secure against break-ins is to glaze it. We offer containment-grade laminate glazing shields that we can apply to your window and door glass to significantly strengthen it against impacts.

Because of its unique polycarbonate laminate composition, the glazing is highly resistant to cracking and shattering, making it very secure shield against prolonged attacks of all kinds.

Even being riddled with bullets will not cause our burglar-proof glazing to break and allow entry. When someone is trying to gain entry to your home or commercial facility while you or others are inside, the added time that burglar-proof glazing gives individuals inside to react is invaluable.

When you want the highest level of security, our burglar-proof glass sheets and panels might be the right option for you. We can either fortify your existing glass behind security sheets or install completely new burglar-proof glass panels into your windows and doors. We offer security glass in a full range of strength ratings for different levels of protection against break-ins and other types of attacks. This means that your new glass will not only keep out intruders but also resist impacts from bullets and even bomb blasts.

All our security glass has been thoroughly tested and rated in a lab and real-life scenarios, so you can be confident in the level of protection that we provide.

In addition to our burglar-proof glass products, we also offer other fittings to make your windows and doors even more secure. One of these solutions is our security frames for windows and doors that can be installed along with new glass or replace your existing frames.

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. However, the cost is high as this is one of the most expensive window protective measures available. The thicker the glass, the more protection. The various thicknesses can be certified under Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Plastic glazing material can be divided into two general categories - acrylic and polycarbonate.

Both are available in a variety of patterns and in a wide range of transparent, translucent, and opaque tints, as well as in clear form. Acrylic is more transparent than polycarbonate, while polycarbonate possesses outstanding strength against impact.

Due to the way acrylic and polycarbonate expand and contract in changing temperatures, both must be installed by a professional.

Both are prone to scratching , so exercise extreme care when cleaning these surfaces. It is available in varying thicknesses and it has much more impact resistance than double-strength window glass. It is not only safer than glass due to its breakage resistance but, when it is broken, it does not shatter into small slivers with sharp edges, but breaks into comparatively large, dull-edged pieces.

Polycarbonate is almost unbreakable. It has times the impact resistance of glass and 20 to 30 times the impact strength of acrylic. It is expensive -- about four times the price of standard glass. But if your property is repeatedly being vandalized or broken into, it may well be worth the additional cost. Source: wisegeek.

Polycarbonate is an ideal choice for small windows like those found in doors. Polycarbonate should be professionally installed. If you hit it with a sledge hammer it probably won't break, but if it's not installed properly, the whole window is likely to get knocked right out of the window frame. It has a slight blue or gray tint, and so it is less clear than other types of glazing and shows some distortion.

This type of material is reported to be less weather resistant than glass or acrylic, but can be expected to remain serviceable and attractive for seven years or more in outside installations. Check your local fire code before installing polycarbonate in your bedroom windows to be sure you are not in violation.

While there are many steps you can take to reinforce your windows and keep them well-protected from intruders, the methods above are primarily delay tactics to buy time for police to arrive. Self-installed home security is great when you're on a budget but you or a family member has a few spare minutes during the day to get it set up.

Alternatively, you can opt for a professional installation if you have a complex system with many components which will take longer to install. Contact a reputable alarm company for more information on what kind of security system is most suitable for your home and lifestyle.

To learn more about home security, check out our Ultimate Guide to Home Security. We are located about 10 minutes walk from Park St Station. We are open Monday — Friday am — pm. For additional questions you can call us at or you can find us on Trustpilot. Referral Program Billing Request Service.