Do You Need Both Glass Break and Window Sensors?

When it comes to home security systems, there are many different sensors and types of technology that work together to protect your home and its entry points.

Nationwide statistics show that 34% of intruders enter through the front door, and the next most common entry point is first-floor windows, at 23%.

But in some studies, windows are actually the most common way to break in; one survey of convicted burglars in New York and New Jersey found that 42% entered through an unlocked window, and 38% entered through an unlocked door.

Either way, it’s safe to say that your security system will need to include protection for your windows.

Both window sensors and glass break sensors alert you to unauthorized entry in your home. But what’s the difference between these sensors, and do you really need both? Read on to learn more about each type of sensor and what you need to best protect against home invasions.

Home security entry sensors

All smart home security systems are equipped with security sensors. These sensors work by alerting homeowners and professional monitoring centers of unauthorized entry.

There are different types of sensors, but most home security systems typically include all or some of the following:

• Door sensors for front and back doors, as well as doors leading to the house from the garage
• Window sensors, usually placed on first floor windows
• Glass break sensors for windows and sliding glass doors
• Motion sensors for inside of the home. Motion detectors are also frequently placed in devices like home security cameras or security lighting, activating the device when a person is detected.

When the alarm system is armed, these sensors will trigger the burglar alarm whenever entry is attempted by opening or breaking a door or window.

Window sensors vs glass break sensors

When it comes to protecting your windows, you have two options, depending on your home security company and what they offer.

Vivint offers both glass break sensors and window sensors for complete protection of your home’s windows. Let’s take a look at how they work and some of the main differences:

How window sensors work

Window sensors are a type of contact sensor. Window contact sensors are small sensors that consist of two pieces, one of which contains a magnet and the other a sensor. One piece is placed on the window sill and the other is placed on the window frame. When closed, the pieces fit together, but once they are opened and the magnetic contact breaks, it triggers the sensor to sound the alarm.

Window sensors can also be set to play a chime when a window is opened, which is helpful when you don’t have your alarm set but still want to be notified if someone opens a window.

Some of the use cases where window sensors come in handy include:

• First-floor windows. Most break-ins occur on the first floor, and many burglars simply open unlocked windows and crawl right in.
• Large windows. If you have large windows in your home, you’ll want to secure those as well; after all, no one is going to try and get through a window they can’t fit through.
• Children’s rooms or playrooms. It’s not only break-ins you’ll want to be careful of. Window sensors can also play chimes when a window opens, so placing them in kids’ rooms can help prevent accidents from open windows by notifying you if a window is opened.

How glass break sensors work

Glass break sensors are activated by the sound or vibrations of breaking glass. There are two main types of glass break sensors. One type of sensor works by measuring the decibel level in the sound of breaking glass via an audio microphone inside the sensor. If the microphone picks up the level of glass breaking, it triggers the alarm.

The other type is a shock sensor. Rather than monitoring for the sound of glass breaking, this alarm detects the vibrations or movements from the actual shatter of glass. It is placed directly on the glass and triggers an alarm when the sensor is physically disrupted.

Glass break sensors also work for glass doors. If an intruder breaks a sliding glass door, or breaks out a window pane in a door to try and enter that way, it will also trigger the alarm.

Glass break sensors are useful in homes that include:

• Basements. If your basement has an egress window (and most do, by law)rel=”nofollow” and target=”blank” , a glass break sensor can be helpful in alerting you to a broken window in other floors of your home.
• Glass doors. As mentioned, you can also place sensors near glass doors. If your home has decorative glass on the front doors, french patio doors, or sliding glass doors, a glass break sensor can provide additional security.
• Heavy sleepers. If you can sleep through anything, a glass break detector that sounds a loud window alarm will alert you to breaking glass you may not have heard otherwise.
• Deactivated motion sensors. Some people turn off their indoor motion detectors at night, especially if they have kids who tend to get out of bed and don’t want them to set off the alarm in the middle of the night. Without glass break sensors, intruders who gain entry by breaking windows would go undetected if your indoor motion detectors were off.

Although they both work differently, both window sensors and glass break sensors are excellent options for securing the windows in your home.

Which type of window sensor do you need?

Now that you know the differences between the two sensors, which one is best for your home? Most security experts agree that in order to provide the most protection, both glass break sensors and window sensors are recommended.

Here are a few reasons why having both types of sensors in your home can provide safety and peace of mind:

• Protection against both forms of entry. There are two ways intruders can enter your home via windows—by opening them or by breaking them. Without both, you’ll only be partially protected.
• Earlier detection. With both sensors in place, you have the advantage of earlier detection, which means quick action from the professional monitoring company as well. If you only have glass break sensors, for example, an intruder who enters by opening the window won’t be detected as quickly as they would if a window sensor was also in place.
• More comprehensive protection. Both types of window sensors are important for not only detecting break-ins, but activity around your windows in general. If a window is accidentally broken by a stray ball while you’re at work or out of town, for example, you’ll get notified immediately so you can quickly have it taken care of.

Bottom line? With both window sensors and glass break sensors in place, you’ll have peace of mind that your home’s entry points are protected no matter what comes their way.

Secure your windows with Vivint

If you want to provide better protection for your home against break-ins, or you want to add window sensors to your existing Vivint system, getting started is easy. Visit us online or contact our Smart Home Pros at 855.822.1220 today to learn more.