Securing basement windows.

JHZR2 · May 30, 2011

Our main drag has some section 8 type residents, and we've gotten some less than savory new ones recently. Got news of some apparent open-air crack use by some teenagers not far from us. A bit worried for sure.

Big concern is smash and grab teenager type thieves looking for drug money and sellable stuff. Not really concerned with professional thieves, though of course always vigilant. Mainly worried about kids cutting school and taking opportunity to break into peoples' homes.

Seems to me that the basement windows are a main weakpoint... Particularly given that doors and windows are always locked. Seems some teenager kicking in a basement window around back is a more viable scenario then breaking in a locked door or windows that can't be reached from the ground.

So what's best? Bars? Storm windows over locked windows? Glass bricks (are they really secure if not installed initially with the concrete?)?

Any advice would be most appreciated.

FirstNissan · May 30, 2011

Bars on the windows, ive got them on my house, and my parents have them on theirs. They may not look all that great, but they definetaly give a lot of piece of mind.

The_Jeff · May 30, 2011

+1 on the bars.

I would see about getting them "weathered" looking, like maybe you bought the house from some rich guy, have nothing, but haven't bothered removing the bars. Urban camo.

Keep a tidy lot, with no hiding spaces like shrubs up against the house.

crazyoildude · May 30, 2011

bars installed on the inside that are custom made from a good licensed locksmith and a doberman pincher is a big help also

dparm · May 30, 2011

My father went the route of unbreakable plastic covers that were bolted down with security bolts. They're also sturdy enough to support over 100lb so even if kids play on them they won't fall through.

Volvo_ST1 · May 31, 2011

Get armored glass basement windows from Armor Glass Block out of Jersey.

expat · May 31, 2011

Move your windows to a better neighborhood.

chubbs1 · May 31, 2011

You need you a choppa main! Bars and an AK, that is what we had in N. Miami (everybody has bars...everybody). No problems. Bars keep 'em out while you're gone, the AK keeps 'em out while you are home. Dogs help too, they don't have to be big, just medium sized and will alert you.

JHZR2 · May 31, 2011

Originally Posted By: expat
Move your windows to a better neighborhood.

Kind of ridiculous to move from a great neighborhood with nice neighbors and good homes because some stupid laws try to push inner city folks into available housing in every town in the state...

The_Jeff · May 31, 2011

Hide your valuables. Set up some religious and military displays. Maybe the South will rise again. Get a couple body builder toughs to pretend to be your roommates. Invite the hood rats over for pot luck supper.

Al · May 31, 2011

I would go with bars.

JHZR2 · May 31, 2011

Does anybody actually have bars on their basement windows????!?

kkreit01 · May 31, 2011

We have security bars on the inside -- which will trip the alarm. They are spring-loaded -- like a shower curtain rod. Place "Alarm Company X" decals/signs near your entrances (even if you don't have one). Whatever you do, don't you want to make sure you can still exit from the inside -- in case of emergency?

IndyIan · May 31, 2011

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Does anybody actually have bars on their basement windows????!?

No, we rarely even lock our doors...
Are the basement windows a viable escape route and do you spend alot of time down there? If so I'd just put some bars on for show on the inside.

Volvo_ST1 · May 31, 2011

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Does anybody actually have bars on their basement windows????!?

If the basement is part of the residential part of the building, bars may be illegal. Maybe the kind that you can swing open from the inside is okay. As I said, I'd favor armored glass.

volvos_rock · May 31, 2011

We did, before we had an alarm and their trip bars. Search the net for safety bars for chidren, 2nd story window types, I found removable (but still secure) or non removable ones at decent prices. If memoy serves correct the name of the manufacturing co for the fixed ones was John Sterling.

Ursae_Majoris · Jun 1, 2011

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en...y_Window_Films/

Security film for the windows. I am planning on installing it in our new home.

Securing basement windows.

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