Hard Acyrlic panels over window frame for security?

[lifelongMOgal]

Originally Posted by tripod

These wndows don't open and I did come across some security window film at Ace hardware that you can ?laminate? to any window but not sure if that's what someone mentioned NOT to get?

I re-thought the hard acrylic thick panels attached to the inside of the window frame and that actually wouldn't be any good in this instance.

We already do have plexiglass pieces placed against these window panes that are held in place with strips of wood and we did that a while back to insulate from the cold and heat so I think maybe we just need to replace the pexiglass with something more substantial for security. If anyone has any good recomedations please share them. Thanks again

3M makes a good security window film. You'll want a professional installer.

3M

[f_m]

Originally Posted by lifelongMOgal

3M makes a good security window film. You'll want a professional installer.

3M

Yes, you should probably check into this too. Since laminated glass is considered fairly good for some security purposes. Basically it is 2 layers of glass with a thin clear plastic/rubber layer between the two layers, the bonding prevents the glass from separating even if you smash it. Having the film on one side would be similar although not quite as complete.

[bustaduke]

Originally Posted by tripod

We have 9 window panes of glass in our living room that could be quite an easy entry way for burglars to get in and looking to do something with these to make that very difficult for them. We're not looking to bullet proof or even sledge hammer proof this area but to make it secure enough. I was thinking maybe some thick hard acrylic pieces screwed into the inside of the window frame for each window. Windows are about 2'x3' each and probably a little smaller than that though. Do they sell anything like that at the home centers and could use some suggestions or comments if anybody's got them. Thanks

Just remember that windows are a great way to exit a burning house when you can't make to to a front or rear door. You won't be able to break the acrylic to get out like you can break glass.

busta

[tripod]

We're going to look into 1/4" thick hard acrylic pieces to install on just the lower windows where entry is easiest. The higher up windows are all about 7 feet from the ground with plexiglass backing them up so it's much more difficult to get in there and we have those little window alarms on there too along with stickers saying we have an alarm system. Not trying to turn our modest home into Fort Knox but just make it more difficult for potential burglars. Probably will be picking up a motion sensor alarm too for use when we go away overnight and use that in the living room facing these windows. On our front + back doors you need keys to get OUT of the house and our celler door is padlocked so if anybody ever got in it would not be easy getting back out especially if trying to carry anything. The main concern though is when we leave the house empty while on vacation that we're fairly secure

[lifelongMOgal]

Originally Posted by tripod

We're going to look into 1/4" thick hard acrylic pieces to install on just the lower windows where entry is easiest. The higher up windows are all about 7 feet from the ground with plexiglass backing them up so it's much more difficult to get in there and we have those little window alarms on there too along with stickers saying we have an alarm system. Not trying to turn our modest home into Fort Knox but just make it more difficult for potential burglars. Probably will be picking up a motion sensor alarm too for use when we go away overnight and use that in the living room facing these windows. On our front + back doors you need keys to get OUT of the house and our celler door is padlocked so if anybody ever got in it would not be easy getting back out especially if trying to carry anything. The main concern though is when we leave the house empty while on vacation that we're fairly secure

No offense, but I think you are misdirected, possibly misinformed, and really need to do some more research on your security choices. No one needs a key to get in or out of a house, they simply knock through the door & door jamb. The universal entry key of bolt cutters makes that padlocked cellar door a 5-10 second or less impedement. Even the security hasp locks are easily enough cut through with carbon bladed sawsalls. Cutting the phone line going into the house will disable the call to your alarm country unless you are set up on a wireless alarm system.

Ask your security company about glass breaking sensors vs. motion detectors if glass breakage is your concern, or a combination. It will be more expensive but doesn't scream tacky or I have valuable things the way plexiglass does. Seriously, the installation of a semi-permanent barrier that blocks your way out during a fire is just unsafe.

In reality, anyone who wants to get in will get in. What you are attempting is to keep the less professional smash & grab opportunists out. The professional burgler will get in, period. Best you can do is to lock your valuable things up well (safe bolted to concrete or saferoom) in an unexpected location and have cameras to record/identify the thieves.

[tripod]

Not really worried about professional burglars around here so much because we're neither in a high crime area or a desired one for pros to be staking out. Our house and town is that of a more modest lower middle classs so more concerned with the amateur thief. So making entry difficult for the novice is all we're really looking for.