garage window security

[Letsgobowhunting]

I just purchased a new house ans the detached garage has 4 single pane windows 4-5 feet off the ground. I want to better secure the building and was thinking of welding rebar grids to bolt in place. This would help to stop entry from a window. What have you seen before? I don't want to reinvent the wheel so to speek. Thanks

 

[pepi]

Picture a jail look at photos of houses in Miami. Search images burglar bars , that ought to get you started.

 

[RedBKM]

Most I've seen are mounted on the outside. If a robber sees anything that might slow them down they may keep on looking for an easier target. If you hate the jail look you can mount them on the inside but then you might not be able to open your window for ventilation.

This company will give you some ideas. I like the hinged unit in case you need to escape a fire.

http://www.aaamedallion.com/windowguards.html

 

[Dale1962]

go to tractor supply and get a hog or cattle panel http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/feedlot-panel-cattle-16-ft-l-x-50-in-h?cm_vc=-10005 mount inside building

 

[zkdiesel]

I security tinted my windows, and have an alarm with motion detectors. If someone wants to get into your garage they will, getting them not to try or leaving immediately is the key

 

[CNGsaves]

Lots of better options that putting prison bars on your new garage, as that WILL be immediate property value drop / curb appeal killer.

Just saw on TV this week they have super strong screens that are bullet resistant and tamper resistant as a solution for schools following the Sandy Hook shooting. Expect these to be SUPER expensive and next cash cow for vendors selling stuff to government and school buildings.

Couple properly placed signs that bldg is protected by XYZ security, etc. is low-cost alternative - - even if no such security service really exists !!

Could also just put your dogpen for Dobie or Rottie on that side of garage with the windows !

 

[HoosierMark]

What about inside shutters that could be closed and a 2x4 dropped across them when you are not there. No one can see in, doubt if someone would try breaking in since they would not know what effort it would take to get inside, keeps the sun from fading something. You can open them up any time you want.

 

[firecracker]

Like Mark ^^ said , I use 6mm ply painted with blackboard paint (mat black) secured at the back up against the glass with 2x1 battens, nice and light to move and store.

 

[jasong70]

you may want to look into Ace security film. The bars will detract, but a nice sticker with an alarm company on it with a security laminate should also deter. Motion sensors help too. You can obscure the glass with curtains, tint, etc to hide valuables.

Personally, I rather not have the jail look.

 

[PCO6]

What about inside shutters that could be closed and a 2x4 dropped across them when you are not there. No one can see in, doubt if someone would try breaking in since they would not know what effort it would take to get inside, keeps the sun from fading something. You can open them up any time you want.

That sounds similar to the shutters I made ... minus the 2"x4"'s. When mine are up they have the "black" appearance of regular garage windows from the outside. However, if you tried to look in even with a flashlight you couldn't see anything due to the shutters. What I like is that I can work inside at night with the shutters up and the lights on and no one knows from the outside that I'm in there.

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[Hornman]

Lots of good ideas presented. Let me add a couple more. They make burglar bars for the inside that work like a gate, hinged on one side with a padlock hasp on the other side. You can reach through the bars to open/close sliding windows. If you don't want them visible from outside, use the window tint or flush mounted interior shutters.

The second technique involves the bombproof window film they installed on all the glass in the Pentagon after 911. Its similar to regular window film but much thicker. It's a turnkey product, no do-it-yourself, and it is really expensive. The good news is that after they install the film on your windows they give you a lifetime guarantee on the film and windows. If you somehow manage to break a window, they will come out and replace the film and window for free. At least that was the deal I got when I had the film installed on all the windows in the Maintenance offices in a chemical plant.

 

[Mike in Ohio]

PC06 how did you mount those? They look like a good idea.

 

[purevil115]

Install glass bloc windows, Thats what i did for more security. You cant open them for ventilation but they do let in more light than standard windows.

 

[pepi]

How about a fluorescent light defuser cut to fit, lets in the light ?

 

[SlappyWhite]

How about a lexan panel securely mounted on the outside of the existing window, sort of like a storm window but not removable from outside.

The down sides are it may be costly and it may scratch easy.

Damn hard to smash....

 

[where2]

Simply put large missile hurricane rated impact windows in your garage. Your local Meth-heads will spend all night trying to bust through it with a pick axe. Go watch the videos if you don't know what I'm talking about. If you get the ones rated for use in a high rise building, the inner steel frame concealed by the outer vinyl jacket will keep them from using a crow bar to get in it too.

One or more junkies tried to bust through the plate glass windows in the middle of the night at a popular restaurant located in a warehouse district near where I used to work (semi-rural area). The thieves obviously figured a popular restaurant would be an easy target for some quick cash. They took a baseball bat to several of the windows before they realized they were ALL hurricane impact rated. They left empty handed.

Windows 1, Thieves 0.

 

[PCO6]

PC06 how did you mount those? They look like a good idea.

Mike - The blinds are basically pushed up into a plastic slot and held tight to the door with Velcro. The first picture shows samples of the parts that I used, all of which are available at Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.

The "slot" is plastic rail that is used for lattice at the top of residential fences. I simply screwed it to the underside of the metal rail of the door. The blinds themselves are 1/8" Masonite that came finished in white on one side. I painted the other side black. I used aluminum channel along the bottom edge to keep the blinds stiff. Lastly, I attached adhesive back Velcro to the blinds and the door to keep them in place.

They stay firmly in place as the door goes up an down. It takes about 15 seconds to take them all off or put them on. They work quite well and suit my needs perfectly.

The parts ...
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[HemiRambler]

 

[Mike in Ohio]

Mike - The blinds are basically pushed up into a plastic slot and held tight to the door with Velcro. The first picture shows samples of the parts that I used, all of which are available at Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.

The "slot" is plastic rail that is used for lattice at the top of residential fences. I simply screwed it to the underside of the metal rail of the door. The blinds themselves are 1/8" Masonite that came finished in white on one side. I painted the other side black. I used aluminum channel along the bottom edge to keep the blinds stiff. Lastly, I attached adhesive back Velcro to the blinds and the door to keep them in place.

They stay firmly in place as the door goes up an down. It takes about 15 seconds to take them all off or put them on. They work quite well and suit my needs perfectly.

The parts ...
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The slot ...
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The Velcro ...
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Very slick!! Thanks for the explanation.

 

[Highbeam]

Board them up. The worst part about windows is that they allow the crook to see what's inside, see lack of lights to know that you aren't inside, and allow access.

You don't need windows but if you have them, make them non-see through.

 

[PCO6]

^^^ I think what I have done (post #11) addresses your concerns. I'm not sure if any one "needs" windows but lots of people want them for day light and or to see out through.

 

[Vethead]

I work in a secured building and we have a film applied to the windows that makes it so you can't break the windows with a bat, and can't be seen through from the outside. It tints the windows inside, but very very little. I don't recall who makes it, but I think the company that installed the film said it was a 3M product. No prison look, could still open windows, break proof, and outside couldn't see in. Nice package. I did like the idea earlier about hurricane windows, those are great too, but you can still see in and I would think they would be more expensive than adding the film.

 

[1930artdeco]

Hemirambler,

That is a neat idea! Did you make them?

Mike

 

[HemiRambler]

Thanks, Yes built those from scrap 5/8" stainless and framed it with 3/8 x 3 stainless flats - TIG welded everywhere. Looks better than jail bars IMHO. Window still works plus I have a blind installed to keep out prying eyes.

Hemirambler,

That is a neat idea! Did you make them?

Mike

 

[shamrock12]

I work in a secured building and we have a film applied to the windows that makes it so you can't break the windows with a bat, and can't be seen through from the outside. It tints the windows inside, but very very little. I don't recall who makes it, but I think the company that installed the film said it was a 3M product. No prison look, could still open windows, break proof, and outside couldn't see in. Nice package. I did like the idea earlier about hurricane windows, those are great too, but you can still see in and I would think they would be more expensive than adding the film.

I'd be interested in learning more about this film you are speaking about. Can you give me a better idea what to search over the internet?

 

[jasong70]

This is the film I mentioned 10 posts back.

ACE security laminate film.

I'd be interested in learning more about this film you are speaking about. Can you give me a better idea what to search over the internet?