According to official FBI statistics, a burglary occurs every 18 seconds in the United States. The situation in Canada doesn't significantly differ from its southern neighbors. Again, officially released data, the maximum time a burglar needs to find his own way to come inside is about 10 minutes. So, the more powerful your home security, the less likely you'll get another victim on their list.
Again, statistics reveal nearly 30% of burglars gain entry through windows or front doors, highlighting the importance of securing these common access points and installing window security bars as a vital measure to prevent breaks-ins and protect properties.
House window security bars are metal bars that are installed to prevent your home from intruders, increasing your home safety. In this short discussion, we're going to walk through the advantages and disadvantages of window security bars as well as the requirements for security bars in spaces like the basement or bedrooms.
Advantages of Home Window Security Bars
- Window bars act as a deterrent to potential burglars. They're mostly installed in ground floor windows, which are most vulnerable to intruders.
- They increase the security of buildings.
- They prevent children and toddlers from falling out the windows.
- Window security bars provide homeowners with peace of mind to open windows freely without concerns of potential threats and vulnerabilities.
- They are cost-effective solutions compared to other security systems on the market, as they effectively shield your properties from break-ins and burglaries while providing a strong sense of security.
Disadvantages of House Window Security Bars
- They can block egress routes during an emergency, like a fire.
- While security bars offer protection and peace of mind, they also act as a barrier that obstructs our view and limits the feeling of openness and connection with the world outside.
Quick-Release Mechanism of Basement Security Bars
Based on the 2006 International Residential Code (IRC), sleeping rooms and the basement should have at least one emergency egress escape and rescue opening in case of emergency. Therefore, windows equipped with security bars need to have a quick-release mechanism installed. These mechanisms must follow these requirements:
- It needs to be accessible from inside.
- To ensure safety during emergencies, the design should allow for quick and easy access without the need for keys or combinations, as occupants may experience panic or confusion that could hinder their abilities to recall essential information.
- The mechanism should be designed for effortless operation, ensuring the minimal force is required to release the security bars.
Security bars are essential features for safety and security in residential buildings, but they need to be designed for easy and quick release with a minimal force—especially in the basement or bedrooms—to not cause trapped occupants inside when an emergency, like a fire, occurs.
Our Piece of Advice
- Security bars come in the vast majority of choices. Some perfectly match your windows, increasing your safety, while others might add an extra layer of vulnerability to your property. So, before any decision, call a professional contractor, like our team at EsnaGlass, to help you choose the perfect match.
- If you live in a dangerous neighborhood with lots of break-ins, or your home has been recently burglarized, our advice is to install solid, thick bars on your windows. These bars are extremely difficult to break without causing too much of a commotion.
FAQ
Definitely worth it. They are cost-effective solutions compared to highly expensive systems in the market, effectively preventing intruders from entering your property.
Installing security bars on exterior house windows involves attaching a pair of brackets to the framing components on both sides of the windows or above and below them. Since these structural elements are located behind the window frame, long screws are necessary to establish a secure connection to these vital components.
Security window bars serve as an effective and robust deterrent, enhancing the overall safety of your property. They are made of durable, heavy-duty metal materials, extremely difficult to break without causing too big of a commotion.
They add an additional layer of protection that not only deterrents intruders from forced entry but also prevents children and pets from falling out the windows. Security window bars, or burglar bars, are often made of iron, steel, or aluminum that can be installed inside or outside of windows.
