Posted: 10/21/2009 7:07:42 PM EDT
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Has anyone here installed window bars? I'm looking for a way to harden my home's exterior but stay within fire code and keep the Mrs happy. She doesn't want the prison look. I've found a couple websites but only one even comes close to what I want (http://www.micronsecurityproducts.com/)
Also, any suggestions about a sliding glass door? It seems to be the weakest link in my home. |
| Storm shutters MIGHT be another option, but only when you are not home. The only way to secure that sliding door is to replace it with a more conventional hinged door. Never underestimate the will of the bad guys, if they want in all that glass is a very inviting target. |
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what about one of those big ass sliding gates they have in convenience stores for your sliding glass door? they collapse pretty small. if you had a curtain pulled to the same side it could be easily hidden when not in use.
also i saw an article in a handyman magazine about window bars for your garage made out of lengths of 3/4" pipe and 2 tees lag bolted to the studs around the window. cheap and effective alternative i think.. |
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I am not sure of the cost, but these are nice. Once rolled up you barely see them.
Rolling Shutters Toad |
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About window bars:
http://www.locksmithcharley.com/firesafety.html About security screen doors sold by the big boxes: http://www.locksmithcharley.com/leslielockegates.html |
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Quoted:
Storm shutters MIGHT be another option, but only when you are not home. The only way to secure that sliding door is to replace it with a more conventional hinged door. Never underestimate the will of the bad guys, if they want in all that glass is a very inviting target. We've actually come to the same conclusion about the sliding door. I think we will be replacing the door with a 4 foot steel door and using that thick glass block next to it to allow light in but still be relatively strong. I looked at the gates but my wife hated them. The same problem with the goodbar, looked to much like institutional or prison bars I guess. Women can be hard to please sometimes... The rolling shutters look interesting. I'll see what they cost. Do you know how secure they are? They are made of aluminum so I'm not confident that they would be as good as steel bars. They would still be quite a bit better than jus the glass window though. |
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I put up "tuffstuff" polycabonate corigated panels on all of my non bedroom windows, it will stop bricks and hammers and helps keep it warm.
The bedroom windows are 5' from the ground and not impossible to get into but would be very hard to get in without waking us up. |
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I came across this doing some research: http://www.shattergard.com/
The demonstration they have looks impressive, but they are trying to sell their product. Has anyone here had experience with or heard of this type of safety film? Sounds too good to be true so I'm skeptical. |
| 3m makes a similar product. i have no personal experience with the stuff, but i do know that alot of commercial storefronts use it. you may be able to call around to some of the glass companies in your area and ask if they install, then ask for a client list. you may be able to contact some of their clients to ask first hand questions. just a thought. |
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Well, I've done quite a bit of research since my last post. I was lucky and got an honest salesman for the window film I posted about. As far as I can tell it works quite well except it is only as strong as your window. Since I have vinyl windows, it will offer me little added protection.
I looked into the rolling shutters and simply cannot afford them. Which brings me back to bars. I have only found 1 security bar with a keyless quick release (the Goodbar) but I cannot use it at my home because it requires 3 feet of open space below the window (we have a little under 2 feet). Does anyone here know where I can get security bars with the necessary keyless quick releases to make them fire safe? |
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Quoted:
You simply can't live here without burglar bars on windows. It's as a big "Please rob me, I'm the most trusting fool on the block " sign. No burglar bars = you 'll keep getting robbed until you install them. FerFAL I have question. What happens if you boobytrap your bldg. and mame the thieving bastards? Or are you permitted to shoot them? ETA Not trying to be a smartass, just wondering what the laws are down there. 
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| I saw a small demo on that "it takes a thief" show a while back of the window film. They didn't give a brand, just that the home owner put it on the window. The guy kicked the shit out of it, but after it broke on the initial impact, it just cushioned the rest of the blows and didn't cave in. Was rather impressive. Not sure how effective it would be on a sliding glass door. |
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When I lived in Florida, I saw a lot of places with the roller shutters. They are first rate. You do not have to do your whole house with them, I would keep them in mind for you sliding glass door. If you replace the slider with a steel door and glass blocks, it will most likely cost as much if not more than having the roller shutter installed. At least this way you could still enjoy the views and added light while you are home, and then lock it down at night or when you are away.
Just a thought... BTW: The ones I have seen feature a vent mode, that is the connecting panels between the main panels are vented. So on hot days, you can lower the shutter almost all the way and it will darken the room, but still allow air to pass through the vent holes. In a hot climate, it is a nice feature, great for the siesta. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
You simply can't live here without burglar bars on windows. It's as a big "Please rob me, I'm the most trusting fool on the block " sign. No burglar bars = you 'll keep getting robbed until you install them. FerFAL I have question. What happens if you boobytrap your bldg. and mame the thieving bastards? Or are you permitted to shoot them? ETA Not trying to be a smartass, just wondering what the laws are down there.
In Indiana I think it would fall under the criminal recklessness statute. I don't recall any specific statutes or cases about booby traps, but I doubt it would fly. Especially if the booby trap hurt someone other than an intruder. |
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My store has very big windows in the front, as anyone who has been here knows. The windows now is not a real concern, as I am right on main street and we have a very, very good PD and alarm, but should things go bad I wanted an option.
After pricing many options, I ended up buying the materals- angle iron, rebar and anchors, to make and install them. I can attach the angle iron and weld the raber in place and do the whole job in a little over an hours. It is a little bit of a gamble not having them up already, but it is a risk I can take. |
| We had rolling shutters in my apartment in Germany. they were great and built into the wall I have no idea where to get them or who made them. Use extra and longer screws on burglar bars . I drilled extra mount holes it helped a lot. I installed some on my shed by my shop after a break in I can swing off of them now. |