It is true that most burglars enter through doors, especially in apartments. Even in homes, about 65% of them will enter through the front door, back door or garage. But the second favorite way to get into your home is to climb through one of your windows.

That’s why it’s essential to know how to secure your windows to keep your home safe. This is a practical guide to securing and reinforcing the security of your windows.

By the end, you will understand how secure your window is currently and what you need to do to make it an intruder-proof window.

Sash windows

This is the most common type of window in older homes and apartments. And they are also the most vulnerable to break-ins. A sash window has two panes of glass, one on top of the other, and they are often secured with a crescent-shaped latch.

The latch is generally not designed to be extremely secure; it only holds the window closed. A knife or other flat tool, inserted from the outside, is all it takes to release the window.

Securing these types of windows is quite problematic. If you can’t replace them, we recommend securing them in a closed position. This can be done with nails in wooden frames, or with drill and screws in any other case.

Tilt-and-turn windows

There are basically two types of tilt-and-turn windows. Those of Type A, with hinges on the side and a vertical pivot axis. And Type B casement windows, which are hinged at the top and tilt out. Both are usually secured with a crank handle.

In both, it is possible for the intruder to break the window near the crank area releasing the window. But the reality is that breaking window glass is not as common a thing for an intruder to do as you might think, mainly to avoid loud noises.

These windows should be carefully inspected. Both the crank and push bar should be in good condition, without excessive looseness. The looseness will allow a slit to be created that an intruder can use to open the window.

Tilt-and-turn windows with excessively thin aluminum frames are not recommended under any circumstances. You may need to replace them if that is the case.

Bars, bars, and grilles on windows

While we are on the subject of bars and grilles, there is the question of whether to put them on the inside or outside of the window. Putting bars on the outside, where they are more visible, can act as a deterrent to a burglar and prevent a break-in attempt.

But many recommend putting them on the inside. While they may not be as visible to the burglar, and he may break a window before he realizes it has bars on it, he certainly won’t be able to get in. 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 a simple movement, such as pushing a quick-release lever, the entire assembly can leave a clear path to escape a fire.

This quick-release mechanism should be far enough away from the window so that a burglar cannot break the glass and reach in to activate it.

Glazing for safety and security

Another problem homeowners face when protecting their windows is how to let light and air into a room while keeping burglars out.

The simplest method of reinforcing window panes is by using a shatterproof safety film. These are adhered to the inside of the glass, adding an extra layer that helps make them more resistant to impact, further slowing down the burglar or intruder.

A more long-term, but more expensive, the solution is to install glass designed specifically for security and safety purposes.

Plastics

These can be divided into two general categories: acrylic and polycarbonate. Acrylic (Plexiglas) is more transparent than polycarbonate, while polycarbonate has exceptional impact resistance.

Because of the way acrylic and polycarbonate expand and contract at changing temperatures, both should be installed by a professional. Both are prone to scratching, so great care must be taken when cleaning these surfaces.

One advantage of this type of glazing is that they are less than half the weight of glass for the same thickness. While they are 10 to 15 times more resistant to impact.