Home security is one of the highest priorities for homeowners because the safety of their family and belongings is above anything else.
Crime rates are on the rise and theft and burglary attempts are quite common in numerous neighborhoods.
Even if you have state-of-the-art security doors, it’s not enough to thwart invaders.
This is why securing your windows and investing in hybrid types that are designed for security is worth the cost.
Read on to learn more about the different types of security windows and the importance of installing them in your home.
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Casement Windows
Installing casement windows can be a good option for extra security because they’re designed to be hinged at the side of the frame.
One of the advantages of casement windows is the hand-operated lock that can only be controlled from the inside.
The hook-shaped locks provide extra security, and they’re extremely difficult and quite impossible to unlock from the outside.
The locks are also part of the entire frame, making it difficult to break. The downside of casement design is that they may not fit the type of home you own.
If your windows have obstructions, shrubbery, or dense foliage, then the casement design will not open fully.
Make sure you install it in areas that open to enough space outdoors like the upstairs floor of your house.
This type is fairly easy to install because the components are all attached to the frame. Calculate the space and you will need to wrap the bottom of the frame with plastic flashing.
Draw pilot holes on the top, middle, and bottom sides of the frame before you drill them.
Carry the body and install it into the opening and then fix it into position. Use a leveling device on all sides to make sure it’s secured properly then drill the holes with nails or bolts.
Diamond Security Grille Windows
The diamond security grille design is much more appealing and aesthetically decorative than the average straight vertical bars design.
The diamond-shaped bars provide extra security and they protect your home from burglary attempts.
Australia has its fair share of breaking-and-entering cases, but having security windows with this diamond design can lower the crime rates significantly.
The manufacturers at www.customscreens.com.au/security-windows suggest that securing your home is possible even with affordable options for security windows.
The diamond security grille design is manufactured from high-quality aluminum and it’s quite economical compared to other alternatives because they don’t require too much maintenance.
Another appealing perk is that you can powder-coat the frame and bars to any color that matches your home’s décor and layout.
The diamond bars are extra screens attached to the frame, and they can be fixed, hinged, or lifted out depending on your needs.
The grille is lockable with bolts on each side, and they can be fixed in three different ways.
You can choose to bolt them directly with the reveal-fixing, having no space between it and the window frame.
A face-fixing for extra space between the window frame and the bars. Or the stand-off fixing that gives more space, and they’re attached with long lugs on the sides that hold the security grille in place.
Reinforced Glass Windows
Windows with reinforced glass are worth the cost because even with strong locks, there is a possibility of a thief breaking the glass to enter your home.
The reinforced design is made out of safety glass which is tempered and toughened with controlled chemical and thermal treatments.
The tempering process puts the interior body of the glass into tension and the outer surface of the glass into compression.
This special treatment gives the glass the extra strength and makes it extremely difficult to break. It looks like normal glass but it’s durable and thick enough to prevent any break-ins.
Most frames can come with tempered glass or you can buy the glass yourself and replace the one you have.
You can remove the old glass while the frame is still attached to the opening, but it will be easier if you detach the entire frame and work on a working bench.
You can slide the glass out depending on the design or remove the slider from the tracks.
Use a pry bar to remove the vinyl stop on the frame and then remove the glass entirely from the side openings by using a pry bar or putty knife.
Do it gently to avoid breaking the glass. Place the new tempered glass and position it carefully then use sealing tape to hold it in place in the vinyl stop openings.
Keyed Gate Windows
Keyed gate windows have a sliding design, but they have an extra handle for the keyed gate lock.
They’re very popular and they give you the extra security you need because they can’t be opened from the outside if it’s locked tightly with the keyed gate handle.
The handle comes with the frame and you can install it normally like any sliding window.
When the opening is ready, attach plastic flashing on each side of the frame and secure it properly.
Pre-drill the sides of the frame for the fixing screws and then carry the body into the opening.
Position it tightly and use a leveling device to position the seals properly. Drill the bolts into the frame and the opening until it’s secure, ensuring that the level is plumb and square.
Drill in the remaining screws and nails to hold the body in place and then test the sliding mechanism and the keyed gate lock to make sure it’s working properly.
Locking your windows isn’t enough because burglars have developed several ways to unlock them from the outside.
Even if you have a home security system with motion detectors and cameras, it won’t hurt to secure your home even more with burglary-proof windows.
The safety and wellbeing of your family are worth the extra cost of installing these convenient and durable windows.
Consider hiring a contractor to get their opinion on the matter and ask them if any permits are needed to follow the building code of your house.
They may recommend specific designs that suit your needs and home décor as well.