7 Tips To Make Your Windows Burglar-Proof and Enhance Home Security

Have you ever wondered how secure your home windows are from potential intruders? Windows are often seen as one of the weakest points in home security, so burglars frequently target them for quick and silent entry. Reinforcing your windows is a great way to deter burglars and increase your overall sense of safety and protection.

In this guide to burglar-proofing your windows, we’ll show you how to turn your home into a fortress by enhancing your window security to prevent break-ins. From selecting the right type of glass to incorporating the most advanced surveillance technology, we’ll cover practical steps every homeowner can take to safeguard their windows against intruders. We’ll also offer some helpful tips for renters.

1. Identify and address window vulnerabilities

Enhancing home security starts with spotting and fixing any weak spots in your existing windows that burglars could take advantage of.

Understanding how burglars typically break in through windows can inform your approach to securing them. Intruders often look for the easiest access point, meaning unlocked, poorly secured, or hidden windows are prime targets. They might use tools to force open locks or break the glass quietly to avoid drawing attention.

That’s why the first-floor windows are the most common risk, particularly those out of plain sight—like those on the sides or back of your house. These are easy targets for break-ins due to their accessibility.

Another area often missed involves the effectiveness of standard window locks and latches on opening windows, which may not hold up against a determined intruder with a pry bar. This calls for an upgrade to sturdier locks or adding reinforcements to strengthen these vulnerable points.

By tackling these vulnerabilities as soon as possible, you can arrange the right security upgrades and targeted actions to beef up your windows against potential break-ins, boosting the safety of your entire home.

How to do a window security check

Here’s a simple plan for thoroughly checking your windows for vulnerabilities:

1. Take a close look at all your windows, focusing especially on those at ground level or hidden from view.
2. Test how strong your current locks and latches are by seeing if you can open them with a bit of force.
3. Make sure there are no unlocked or unsecured easy-to-reach windows that could let uninvited guests enter your home.
4. Check the overall condition of your windows, including the durability of the glass and frames.

Next, we’ll tell you what to do if these steps reveal any areas for improvement.

2. Upgrade to high-security window locks

Upgrading your window locks is one of the best moves you can make to boost your home’s security. There are a variety of locks on the market, each designed to meet different security needs and window types.

Here’s a quick overview of the most common options to consider:

• Handle locks. These locks are integrated right into the window handle to offer a fundamental level of security.
• Folding locks. Perfect for casement or awning windows, these locks, also known as vent locks, provide an added layer of security.
• Keyed locks. These locks require a key to operate, which helps prevent unauthorized access and boosts your window’s security.
• Window pin locks. Ideal for keeping windows partially open, these small, removable locks allow for ventilation while still protecting against full opening.

When choosing window locks, consider their security rating. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) rates locks with Grade 1 being the most secure, offering robust protection for residential properties, while Grade 3 locks only provide the most basic security.

Whether you need security locks, keyed locks, latches, or wedge locks, make sure they align with your security requirements and window types to ensure the best protection.

3. Install shatter-resistant window glazing

Installing shatter-resistant glazing is a smart upgrade to boost the security of your glass windows and doors. Both laminated and tempered glass options are designed to be tough against break-ins, significantly improving your home’s defense mechanisms.

For instance, laminated glass features two glass panes bonded with a strong plastic layer in between. This makes it resistant to shattering and ensures that, if broken, the pieces stay in place, reducing the risk of injury.

Polycarbonate windows offer another level of security. These sturdy windows can withstand aggressive forced entry attempts and are even tough enough to handle ballistic impacts. Whether you’re dealing with potential glass-break scenarios or other types of forced entry attempts, upgrading to shatter-resistant glazing provides an effective barrier that keeps intruders out and gives you peace of mind.

4. Add physical reinforcements

Adding physical reinforcements like security films, grilles (aka “grills”), and shutters to your windows can beef up your home’s defenses. These options can further protect your existing windows and serve as a strong deterrent to would-be intruders. Security window films help fortify the glass against break-ins, maintaining the integrity of your window frames and making it harder for glass to shatter upon impact.

Window grilles and security shutters are excellent choices for those looking for more robust solutions. Often made from durable materials like stainless steel, these barriers are visible deterrents that make it tough for anyone to consider forcing their way in through a window. The sturdy construction of window security bars and the solid presence of shutters on your property clearly show potential criminals that your home is well-protected.

Combining these physical reinforcements with good locks and shatter-resistant glazing creates a comprehensive security solution that reduces the chances of an intruder successfully gaining entry.

5. Implement effective surveillance with cameras and lighting

Implementing a combination of security cameras and strategic lighting upgrades the security of your home. Security cameras act as your eyes and ears, allowing you to monitor your property remotely through live streams or recorded footage accessible from your mobile device or stored in the cloud.

Combine them with automated indoor and outdoor lights equipped with motion sensors to add another layer of deterrence. These will light up whenever they detect movement, likely startling potential intruders and alerting you to their presence. Opt for cameras with night vision capabilities to maintain visibility and security after dark.

Advanced surveillance cameras and effective lighting solutions create a robust home security system that keeps criminals out and helps you respond quickly to security incidents.

Where to put security lights and cameras

Don’t just DIY the placement of your security system components—be strategic for the best results. Here’s how to optimize your surveillance and lighting setup:

• Install motion-activated lights around windows and entry points to illuminate them and alert you to potential intruders.
• Position indoor and outdoor security cameras strategically to cover all critical areas, such as windows, doors, and other potential entry points. Make sure there are no blind spots in your surveillance.
• Adjust camera settings to capture clear, high-quality footage, particularly in low-light conditions.

Wherever you place your security lights and cameras around your home, integrate them with your smart home security system setup for easier control and monitoring.

6. Install window sensors

Installing window sensors adds a crucial layer of real-time monitoring and protection. When integrated with your security system, these sensors alert you immediately if any window is opened, tampered with, or broken, allowing you to respond quickly or contact the authorities. These immediate notifications transform your alarm system into an active security solution that helps safeguard your home around the clock.

Beyond just using cameras, consider upgrading to a smart home security system that includes 24/7 monitoring. These systems offer a more comprehensive security solution than standard indoor/outdoor cameras, so any unusual activity is detected instantly, and you can promptly address it.

7. Keep windows maintained and systems up to date

Beyond initial updates and installations, keeping your windows burglar-proof calls for regular maintenance. Remember to do regular checks and updates to adapt to new security challenges and address wear and tear.

Here’s how to maintain and update your window security:

• Regularly inspect security equipment. Check locks, sensors, and alarms to see that they function correctly and haven’t been damaged.
• Update security software. For smart home security systems, keeping your software up to date is vital to protect against vulnerabilities and ensure all security features are functioning at their best.
• Replace worn-out parts. Over time, window frames, locks, or security films might wear out and reduce your home’s security integrity. Replace these components as needed to maintain high security standards.

Staying proactive with these maintenance and update steps will help you make sure that your home remains a safe haven against potential intruders, keeping your security measures effective year-round.

Special considerations for renters

Like any homeowner, renters are equally at risk of break-ins through unsecured windows, making it essential to focus on window safety. However, renters face unique challenges when it comes to implementing window security measures, but that doesn’t mean they should compromise on safety.

Unlike homeowners who can make permanent changes, renters might need to consider temporary yet effective solutions to reinforce the security of their living spaces. Temporary solutions such as window security film and sliding window locks can improve security without permanently altering a rental property. Window security film, for instance, makes glass harder to break and holds shattered pieces together, while locks for sliding windows can prevent them from being opened from the outside.

These nonpermanent security measures are great ways for renters to upgrade their window security, providing peace of mind without breaching rental agreements or damaging the property. Even though renters don’t own their homes, they can still enjoy similar levels of protection as homeowners and safeguard their spaces against potential intrusions.

Temporary solutions

While permanent installations or modifications may not be permitted in rental units, there are several temporary and removable window security solutions that renters can consider:

• Window films. Security window films can be applied to existing windows to reinforce them and provide added protection against break-ins. You can easily remove these films when moving out, leaving no damage to the windows.
• Removable locks. Renters can install removable window locks, such as window pin locks or keyed locks, which can be easily removed when they move out.
• Portable reinforcements. Temporary options like tension-mounted window bars or screw-in security panels offer an extra layer of security without permanent damage. These can be easily installed and removed when needed.

Secure your home with Vivint

Effectively securing your windows is necessary to ensure peace of mind in the face of potential break-ins, vandalism, and even natural disasters. With Vivint’s comprehensive security solutions, you can safeguard the windows of your residence or storefront against these risks efficiently and effectively.

Focusing on window security, Vivint offers innovative window sensors that provide real-time alerts, ensuring you’re immediately aware of any suspicious activity. These state-of-the-art sensors integrate seamlessly with other security features, creating a robust defense system for your home.

Explore Vivint’s range of products to enhance your home’s security, keeping you one step ahead of any threats. Don’t wait until it’s too late—secure your home with Vivint today and protect your space from unexpected events and intrusions.

Call us at 800.646.1469 for a free consultation today.