Best Window Bars

Home security is not to be taken lightly – it’s up to you to make sure that all possible points of entry to your home are properly secured, especially if you live in a neighborhood where break-ins and burglaries are not uncommon. Some of the weakest points in the house are ground-level or basement windows: easy to reach and pry open, they can allow an intruder to get inside your home without much hassle.

This is why window bars are a great choice if you want to burglar-proof your home. Available as outside mounting window bar guards or as an indoor-only alternative, window bars come in a range of designs adapted to the various needs and security levels. Additionally, window bars can also be used to childproof or pet-proof your home- they ensure safety in all aspects imaginable.

Best Window Bars

Designed to be installed on the interior side of the window, this reliable window protection is suited for child safety measures and as a burglar-deterring addition to the home. The only potential downside is if you are worried about emergencies- this non-egress fixed guard cannot be opened or quickly removed in case of emergency.

How to Properly Secure Windows

The first entrance points a potential thief will go for are the doors and ground-level windows. In most cases, people have solidly secured doors with locks, alarms, and even with cameras installed, but windows are not as burglar-proofed, leaving a weak spot that can easily be exploited. In case you live in an area where burglaries are a fairly common occurrence or if you simply have ground-level windows, additional security for windows is an absolute must.

The first and most basic way to secure ground-level windows is by installing window locks. Some windows already have locks preinstalled, but they are not always that reliable so an additional lock might be required even in this case. There are many types of window locks to choose from- sliding window locks, window locks with a key, window latch locks, and so on.

In other cases, window bars are a more suitable option- or a necessary addition to another security measure. These can be either steel bars that are mounted outside of the window (which are not allowed in all places), indoor alternatives for easier and less obtrusive installation, as well as security bars for sliding windows that act as a sort of a lock, preventing entry through sliding windows and doors.

Glass reinforcement is another great way to up your home’s security measures. There is a range of different protective films you can get for your windows, whether those that “just” reinforce the glass, making it more difficult to break, or those that also tint the windows, effectively preventing burglars from scouting out the inside of your home and spotting valuables worth the effort of a break-in. Some people opt for using shatterproof glass for their windows to ensure that the glass is all but impossible to break, but this can be both expensive and complex to do.

Of course, whichever window security method you end up choosing, it doesn’t hurt to pair it with an alarm system. The way these systems work is by placing sensors on each of the windows in the home- any tinkering with the window would activate the alarm, scaring off the intruder and notifying you that something is amiss.

In the end, the best way to secure windows in your home is not to rely on a single method: combining multiple protections, especially if you are at a greater risk for burglaries, is the most reliable course of action.

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Types of Window Bars

Not all window bars are made alike- and that’s not just speaking in terms of the quality, but in terms of the design as well. There are various types of window bars, as well as different choices of materials and installation options- so it’s important to do your research if you want to find a perfect match for your needs.

The first thing to consider is what type of window bars you are looking for in the first place. The most common choice is permanent outdoor window bars, which are screwed in the house itself and are usually made from heavy-duty, weather-resistant materials such as steel. However, permanent outdoor bars for windows are not a good choice for renters and for people that live in areas where outdoor window bars are not permitted. Another thing to have in mind is the cost and the complexity of installation: unless you’re handy with the toolbox, you’ll have to hire someone to install them for you.

An alternative that is much less obtrusive but still effective is indoor window bars. Easier to mount and easier to remove when needed, they come in a variety of designs, including a swing-away that lets you open the windows without any hassle whatsoever. Additionally, some of the removable indoor window bars are a common choice for new parents looking to babyproof their apartment: these can prevent a curious toddler from finding trouble where there’s trouble to be found.

Another common window bar option is a type of window lock for sliding windows: this is a security bar that is jammed in the window track and prevents an intruder from opening the sliding window – or a kid from going outside when not under supervision.

Your choice will depend on your budget and needs – after all, it’s not the same if all you want is to keep a nosy toddler safe from harm or if you need some heavy-duty protection from burglars.

Bottom Line

Window bars make sure that your windows are not a weak security spot in your home and possible entry point for intruders and burglars. Designed to prevent unwanted access to windows, window bars can be permanently fixed on the outside of the window, mounted on the inside, or serve as a lock for sliding doors.

In addition to being useful against burglars, window bars are also quite convenient for parents looking to baby-proof their home as well as homeowners with pets that don’t want their precious four-legged companion falling out of the window.