Need some ideas for burglar bars

[jay50]

With the economy deep in the *******, there are more and more break ins going on where the druggies force entry to get some booty for some quick cash and later their drug of choice.

I need to get some burglar bars over some "windows that measure about 36"X 34". The windows are flush with the OSB walls and have a header(?) above and below.

Looking for some ideas for the burglar bars and how to attach securely. My inital thought is make a box type arrangement. I would do this by welding two pieces of flat steel at the ends to two pieces that could be lag bolted above and below the window.

Any other ideas before I fire up the torch and strike an arc with the Lincoln tombstone? Any recommendations are far as metal thickness and spacing the bars.

The crackheads around here are really skinny and emaciated, they could almost slide underneath a closed door...

 

[Shocker]

Think you are on the right track. What about using the heavy steel mesh?

 

[nissan_crawler]

I'm going to take 2x2 angle iron and weld it to make the "window trim", then weld 1"x.25" bar stock in a grid pattern to match my other windows. I'm purposely putting windows without the pattern inside the glass for my garage, so it'll look right once the "burglar bars" are on. I'll drill holes through the 2x2 angle iron and lag bolt it into the studs/header/sill.

It'll look just like this from the outside. Since the bars will be inside, cleaning will be easier, and unless you're 2' away, it's just going to look like the rest of my colonial grid windows.

 

[Tech Guy]

What about using a lexan film on the glass ?

 

[Steve in Mi]

Do you plan to put the bars inside or outside? If you put them inside, window breakage/or forced opening can set off the window alarms and the bars give you/authorities added time to answer/arrive on sceen to correct the matter. If they see the bars are on the inside they have no idea what they may be getting into to make entry. External bars kinda give it away what needs to be done to overcome them. Any bars may be enough of a deteriant that they look for easier pickins eleswhere.

 

[Tech Guy]

Dont forget the door locks once the windows are secure.

 

[Torque1st]

A pro can get in anywhere.

Angle iron or flat stock with #4Rebar works well lag screwed into the headers. If you want to make it even harder drill holes in the web of the angle iron for the rebar and bolt the rebar with the flat side away from the window to hide the lag screws from the window opening. If the windows are large cross pieces welded to the rebar are required to keep them from being forced apart.

Remember the motion light in the garage and the E-lights on the same breaker wired to hidden alarms.

 

[jmack]

Has anyone use this stuff before? Armorcoat is a window film, (applied like tinting) that claims to be very effective in preventing window breakage.

Like someone else said - if someone really wants in, unless you are sitting there gun in hand, no amount of window bars or film is insurmountable

 

[Uncle Buck]

At Ft.Riley army post in Kansas I noticed they handled the issue by just using like 5/8" or larger rebar and welding window covers up with that! Get creative to secure them.

 

[rsanter]

I have some experience here as I had a shop that was broken into several times.

be sure the bars are not too far apart as they will sometimes used children where they put them through the bars so they can go open the door from the inside.
I would also weld a little 'nub' on the inner edge of the bars so anyone who tries to reach through or squeese through will get some cuts and scrapes. this can slow them down a bit.

be sure to use long bolts that will get a good grab or they will pry or pull the bars off

you will need to bolt all the way through or weld the head of the bolt to the bars or they will just unbolt them

bob

 

[bobs409]

I chose to use rebar for the field surrounded by angle iron. Rebar is cheap.

I bolted mine to the inside with lag bolts.

If someone wants to get in bad enough, they will be this will sure slow them down a bit. I also have a bar across the back door and a keyed dead bolt for the front.

I'm not in a high crime area but wanted to sleep better at night.

First pic shows it installed. (this was prior to window moldings but you get the idea)

Second pic they are getting a coat of rustoleum prior to install.

Third pic is what this looks like from the outside. Just looks like a divided light window.

 

[ddawg16]

I wouldn't bother.....two reasons...

1. If they want in bad enough, they will get in....usually through the door. And I have seen too many burglar bars pryed off....and they really mess up the house in the process....

2. Burglar bars send a message "Hey, I have expensive stuff in here that I don't want you to have."

Burlgars are basically very lazy people....the only time they work hard is when they think you have something of value.....the only time you hear of an old POS car being stolen is when it was too easy (keys left in ign).

You would be better off installing an audible alarm along with lights and a camera. Chances are, if you get video of them, the police will catch them.

 

[82_454_shorty]

These work.

 

[sammerdog]

These work.

A shotgun made out of straw?

Wow - you do have some wierd gun laws up there in Canada, eh?

 

[revlover]

I wouldn't bother.....two reasons...

1. If they want in bad enough, they will get in....usually through the door. And I have seen too many burglar bars pryed off....and they really mess up the house in the process....

2. Burglar bars send a message "Hey, I have expensive stuff in here that I don't want you to have."

Burlgars are basically very lazy people....the only time they work hard is when they think you have something of value.....the only time you hear of an old POS car being stolen is when it was too easy (keys left in ign).

You would be better off installing an audible alarm along with lights and a camera. Chances are, if you get video of them, the police will catch them.

+1 Agreed.

 

[bobs409]

True, they could get in if they want it bad enough but why make it easy on them? And anything you can do to slow them down is more chance of someone catching/seeing them.

I would think most thieves would pass up something tough and move on to an easy target.


Bob

 

[Brad54]

Chances are, if you get video of them, the police will catch them.

I completely disagree with this statement. In Floriduh, I had a truck stolen, with absolutely identifiable parts (Photos in a magazine of all the mods I made when installed, and one-off wheels by Weld Racing). I found the parts on a truck TWICE, called the cops, and nothing was done. The detective in charge said since insurance paid me, I was no longer the victim and had no claim. And, "we're just too busy."

My friend had his shop broken into in Tennessee earlier this year. They not only emptied out the building of all his tools (ALL his tools... welders, etc), they also stole his Porsche. They found the Porsche, dusted it for prints, and then never did another thing with it. No checking with the pawn shops, no tracking down the prints and knocking on the person's door. Nothing.

When seconds count, the police are just a few minutes away.

Thanks to the truck episode and two other instances, it's been my experience that police show up to take a report. Protecting your life and property is up to you.

-Brad

 

[mmg440]

You always have the chance of camera images being to poor. If they break in it might be to steal your cool cameras and recorder. I think almost all or any security measures can help. The camera can record them cutting the bars that are slowing them down from getting at you recorder or computer parts whatever. As long as the items of value are out of sight then they don't know what they would get so it's not worth the risk to "break in and threw stuff" I have rebar in both shop windows, Internet cameras on our property automatic light and Many signs stating the premises is protected by video surveillance. Called the police once when I saw a group of (I assume teens) hanging near the shop about 120 feet from the road. I took the police over a hour to get there but the mad sure the property was secure and were ever the punks went I assume they saw the police arrive so they now know the surveillance signs are not just for show. I really think lighting helps make most thieves go to another target. Automatic lighting is also a good thing.

Rebar and angle iron should be enough. Makes the window a lot less of a desired entry. First glass (noise) then figure out how to remove the bars (time). Not many thiefs would want to hang around after making noise unless they really know there target. And not much that you can do if the know the target and are determand.

 

[jay50]

I plan to install the bars on the inner side frame around the window. This will allow the miniblinds to be closed and the bars not seen.\

Where's a good source for the rebar?

thanks, jay50.

 

[Gabriel J]

These work.

They also work well with these.

 

[Pate]

Also remember that you won't be able to get out in the event of a fire. The bars I used to install as a locksmith had an optional hinge kit that allowed the bars to be opened. They used a padlock to secure them.

 

[KenS]

Pros don't even bother with windows. Entry can be gained in seconds. This video clip may give you some food for thought:

Pro garage heist...

 

[Tech Guy]

I have 9 cameras around my place, audilble system, motion lights and excellent locks. Its a nice quiet neighbourhood except for the punks that run around every weekend checking to see what cars are unlocked. I have so much video of the different groups of kids its not funny and the cops never knew who they were. Eventually we caught them a couple of weeks ago after a year of thefts. Are cameras good-sure if you know who the person is. If not you just saw yourself get ripped off. Motion lights are good but did not seem to phaze the punks.

 

[kf4zht]

A pro wont care if the windows have bars, the doors have the best locks on them and there is a security system, there is always a way in. Cameras are a good step, just make sure they are clear enough and the tapes are in a location they can't easily be swiped. Not letting people know what you have is a good idea, and basic security (locks, alarm, small/high/barred windows) will keep out your average tweaker, it is too much effort for them.

I am a firefighter, we are taught many ways to get into a building, depending on how much damage you are willing to do. We have tools that can take cut a lock cylinder in half and not damage the door at all. Anyone can buy these tools, fortunatly most crooks don't want to spend the money or even learn about them.

 

[e-tek]

A shotgun made out of straw?

Wow - you do have some wierd gun laws up there in Canada, eh?

I laughed so hard I cried!!!!

But right your are about them going theough the door!!! So I electrified my door knob and dead bolt - put a switched line to a 110V source - gives a couple of AMPS. Get's em every time!! The windows are PVC, so only bars there....

 

[bobs409]

I doubt we'd be dealing with PRO's but even if we were, I doubt they would worry about a camera either. That's what ski masks are for.

I'd rather take "preventative" measures like window bars and good locks rather than end up with some grainy picture of a shadow figure getting away with my stuff.

If cameras worked, we wouldn't see stores getting robbed left and right on the news would we?

Besides, rebar is cheaper.

I like the electrified door knob idea! How do I keep them from tripping the breaker when the get zapped though? I'd like it to be an everlasting experience for them. LOL Maybe a direct link to the center bar of an electrical box? I think that's about 440 volts right? LOL

 

[Torque1st]

I like the electrified door knob idea! How do I keep them from tripping the breaker when the get zapped though? I'd like it to be an everlasting experience for them. LOL Maybe a direct link to the center bar of an electrical box? I think that's about 440 volts right? LOL

Limit the current with a 100W incandescent bulb...

 

[82_454_shorty]

A shotgun made out of straw?

Wow - you do have some wierd gun laws up there in Canada, eh?

Very funny!

The problem with that gun is I put it down on the grass 1 day, I then I couldn't find it.

 

[rakesdl]

As long as you are thinking about security, consider the roof as well. Since many people are adding extra security to windows and doors, the thieves around here are starting to make entry through the roof (heating and air conditioning vents, sky lights etc.) That avoids the alarm systems all together, unless you have a motion sensor inside, they get your goodies then just exit through a door setting the alarm off as they leave.

 

[SteveV]

I completely disagree with this statement. In Floriduh, I had a truck stolen, with absolutely identifiable parts (Photos in a magazine of all the mods I made when installed, and one-off wheels by Weld Racing). I found the parts on a truck TWICE, called the cops, and nothing was done. The detective in charge said since insurance paid me, I was no longer the victim and had no claim. And, "we're just too busy."

My friend had his shop broken into in Tennessee earlier this year. They not only emptied out the building of all his tools (ALL his tools... welders, etc), they also stole his Porsche. They found the Porsche, dusted it for prints, and then never did another thing with it. No checking with the pawn shops, no tracking down the prints and knocking on the person's door. Nothing.

When seconds count, the police are just a few minutes away.

Thanks to the truck episode and two other instances, it's been my experience that police show up to take a report. Protecting your life and property is up to you.

-Brad

I agree with this sentiment, cops aren't what they used to be. I used to be an adamant supporter of law-enforcement, but lately they seem pretty worthless.

I had a neighbor who's car was stolen right in front of her house. There had been an absolute crime wave in the neighborhood. Across the street from her were low-rent apartments where a lot of illegal immigrants live (big surprise).

She saw her car parked in front of one of the apartment. She waited there and called the police. The police came by, and asked her if she had the keys. She did, and the cops just told her just to drive it home, no harm no foul. The cops were too lazy to even stick around and see who had stolen it, take finger prints, or even file a report!

I've had a lot of run ins like this. They'll put more time and energy into writing people speeding tickets and parking violations than they will going after actual criminals.

Don't count on cops to protect you or your property.

 

[jaybug56]

I install alarm systems for a living and have heard and seen all the stories. It all comes down to the fact that a burglary is a desperate act committed during desperate times. A thief will do anything to get to your stuff. If you want to have a building to protect your stuff, there is only one building that has been successful. Fort Knox. I have seen buildings that have had holes cut in the walls, roofs and even one attempt to dig under the wall to get into the building. They will run a vehicle into doors, windows or solid walls to get to your stuff. A good alarm system that is well designed for the building it is protecting can and will notice when something is going wrong. It can be set-up to detect strong vibrations in doors, windows, walls. The sound of breaking glass. This is before they get inside. Once they are inside motion detectors will pick them up. When the monitoring station calls the local police and tell them that there is a " burglary in progress, entry at the side window, inside motion detected in the office and then the shop" they dispatch quick. It is 90% of the time a ‘safe’ call and several units want to respond first. Believe it or not, the cops love to catch a burglar inside the building. It’s what gets them up in the morning. It’s bragging rights at the local pub at the end of the shift. A good system is expensive. It wont cure everything. It helps your insurance premiums. And it might let you sleep a little better at night.

 

[62 bird]

Don't forget the panels in overhead doors-real easy to just kick in.

62 bird