Posted: 12/14/2010 7:50:20 AM EDT
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If you guys are securing your windows how are you doing it? I'm fucking paranoid about this window thing, I'm going from a 3rd story apartment with only one way in,which is through a thick front door with 2 dead bolts that no one is getting through. And now I'm going to move into a house on ground level with tons of single pane windows, I feel like I'm losing all of my safety. So I'm looking for the cheapest way to tastefully fortify them. And wanted to know if you guys did it, how you did it? I found this and thought it looked pretty classy  Its from a local company in Phoenix just called steel shield. I like this because its tasteful, it doesn't look tacky and when you stand up and look out your window you don't see bars. I think they would even be better if they were shorter and had some ornate points on the top which would make crawling over them very uncomfy. I don't know what my budget is yet because I have so much other work to do on the house that is more pressing first, I will have to see what I have left when I get all of the other stuff completed. |
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If you went with those you would probably want to make them flush with the house. In that pic it appears to have a gap between the edge and the bars that could be used as a step to get over the guard. Maybe think about some heavy duty window screens? The ones on my house stood up to the hailstorm and you gotta have a pretty sharp knife to cut through them. Or do an Alarm system and get window sensors.
Eta: Our neighbors have the same screens as us and someone tried to throw a brick through their window to break in... The window shattered but the screen wasnt cut or anything. YMMV. |
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Quoted: If you went with those you would probably want to make them flush with the house. In that pic it appears to have a gap between the edge and the bars that could be used as a step to get over the guard. Maybe think about some heavy duty window screens? The ones on my house stood up to the hailstorm and you gotta have a pretty sharp knife to cut through them. Or do an Alarm system and get window sensors. Heavy duty window screens are a good idea and at least they are a deterrent. I should have said up front I am not getting an Alarm System, we don't think adding another monthly payment to our budget is a good idea right now, we are completely debt free and we are keeping it that way. I will however be installing security cameras the first week I'm in the house. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Have you looked into the security laminates for windows? The film kind you put on the panes. No, I haven't at all. Have you used them before, are they worth it? They're pretty effective but expensive. A lot of times you must pay someone to install them. Also the window needs to be secured in its frame or it'll just pop out.  |
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Quoted: Plant liberally under windows.... http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f110/vassili67/22_cholla_cactus.jpg one of those bastards got me last weekend out in the desert. I wouldn't dare fuck with one of those under the windows. |
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The cactus is not a bad idea, I have a jumping cholla outside my guest bathroom window.
It is the weakest spot in my perimeter, anyone that gets past that has earned whatever they steal! We also have a couple of small canine alarms, run about ten bucks a week in food but kind of attached to them now. |
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Quoted: The cactus is not a bad idea, I have a jumping cholla outside my guest bathroom window. It is the weakest spot in my perimeter, anyone that gets past that has earned whatever they steal! We also have a couple of small canine alarms, run about ten bucks a week in food but kind of attached to them now. I have 2 dogs, one 45 pounds, and one is 65 pounds. The smaller one barks up a storm if someone gets near the house and the big one just copies the small one, so that is good. |
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Quoted: I have seen some roll down security window covers in town on several houses. I have no idea who makes them, but I want them on my next house. I had them when I lived in Germany they were amazing. They came on every house there. I'm sure to have them installed on every window here the price would be over 3 thousand. The ones we had in Germany had a belt on the inside of the house that you lowered or raised them with. Then I recently saw some state side that were electric and I didn't really like them because if your power goes out you can't lower or raise them. |
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Make sure you're not violating any HOA rules (if you live in an HOA neighborhood) by putting security bars on your windows. No I don't, I made sure to get a house that wasn't in an HOA. good move Many HOAs allow bars. Thieves will hook up a truck to bars and pull them off. Bars tend to indicate you have something they want. And....who wants to live in a cage? Alarm, Cameras, lighting, and perhaps roll up security shutters are a better option, in my opinion. My HOA allows shutters too, but of course, HOAs are the debbilz.  
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| A bit off topic, but are there any restrictions on putting surveillance up in an apartment? I was thinking a couple of cams for the front and back door. An alarm seemed too much bang for a place I'm not staying at long. Anyway, know of any issues on cams for apartments? |
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A bit off topic, but are there any restrictions on putting surveillance up in an apartment? I was thinking a couple of cams for the front and back door. An alarm seemed too much bang for a place I'm not staying at long. Anyway, know of any issues on cams for apartments? Last place I lived in, the owner had no problem at all with it. |
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Alarm system is going to be a much better investment 'security wise' than a camera system. Your house will be safe while you are away, sleeping, or not monitoring. Also, that window bar setup looks like it makes it easier to break in....... My house was broken into twice with an alarm system. Basically useless. They are in and out before anyone can respond. only good thing is it might rush them to get out. Last time they kicked in bedroom sliding glass door with tint film on it, held the glass together but the whole thing folded inwards and they just walked over it. 
Now have 8 cameras monitering 24/7 with hdd hidden from view. At least I get video of the bastards if they try it again. |
| Security shutters and tinted window film. they can't see in. Also upgrade your locks, when we do an eviction and the resident changed the lock I can open the knob and deadbolt almost as fast with my picks as I can if we had the keys....Also block fence walls with mean dogs works well, think multi layer security don't relly on one thing. 3rd floor? sometimes when we don't have a key we will climb up the balconies, takes less then a minute. |
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Bars always concerned me in case of fire. Yeah, i can get over them, even if it means the spikes tear me up, but what about my kids?
I don't have anything in my house that isn't insured. I don't really care if someone breaks in and takes it while I'm gone, I just get new shit. If I'm home, new flooring and maybe some spackle and paint will be all I'll need. |
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Plant liberally under windows.... http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f110/vassili67/22_cholla_cactus.jpg Hell, that almost classifies as cruel and inhuman punishment for would-be burglars |