Increase Home and Office Window Security With These Tips
As an Australian homeowner, you understand the value of security. That's why you make intelligent financial decisions, like taking out a homeowner's insurance policy for your house.
What if we told you that taking extra precautions was also a great way to save on homeowner's insurance? That's right, increasing home security can save you up to 15% on your homeowner's insurance premium.
Today, we'll talk about increasing window security with window security locks, contact alarms, and more. The best part is that these tips don't just work at home. They're also perfect for your office.
Ready to get started? Read on for five great tips to increase window security at your home and office.
Check Windows Frequently
It's easy to overlook the basics of window security, which can include frequent assessments of the windows themselves. Get into the habit of checking all windows, especially those on the first floor, for signs of wear and tear. When your windows are weakened or damaged, they are less secure and leave your home and office more vulnerable to break-ins.
What kinds of wear or damage should you look for? Assess for signs of:
- chips or cracks in the glass
- warping frames
- loose frames or glass
- rusting or broken locks
If you notice any of these signs, ensure they are fixed immediately. Work and home window security starts with structurally sound windows.
Install Contact Alarms
An alarm system is one of the best ways to lower your monthly insurance premiums. A complete alarm system will monitor activity near all entry points to your home and office, including doors, windows, and even driveways or garages.
If you're looking for a low-cost but effective solution, install home security window sensors, also referred to as contact alarms. Contact alarms work by alerting you any time a monitored window is opened.
Basic contact alarms typically can't monitor a window that has been broken rather than opened. Because burglars often target offices, you may also want to invest in a glass break sensor. As the name suggests, a glass break sensor will alert you when it picks up on the sound of broken glass, indicating that someone has broken your window.
Simple contact and glass break systems will send an alert directly to your phone. More sophisticated systems will automatically alert a security company, which can further assess the situation and call the police when necessary.
Invest in Safety Windows
If you notice that any of your windows are damaged, or you simply want to upgrade to something safer, consider investing in safety windows (aka security windows). Safety windows are tougher than regular windows, comprised of layers of robust and durable glass. An added penetration-resistant layer between each layer makes them even tougher to break.
When you choose the best security windows for homes and offices, you transform your windows from a potential access point to a nearly impenetrable barrier. That said, there are several different types of safety glass to choose from, and it's important to understand the differences between each.
Two cheaper options include toughened glass and security window film that you can apply to your existing windows. While these options do increase security to some degree, their primary purpose is to keep the glass from shattering into dangerous shards. Therefore, they are not necessarily designed to prevent breakage altogether.
The best choice is laminated glass. When laminated glass takes a blow, it cracks into a web-like pattern without shattering or forming an entry point. It takes several attempts to break through laminated glass, giving you and your security team more time to prevent a break-in.
Install Security Barriers for Windows
What if your windows are easy to access from the ground or a fire escape? What if your office is located in an area that is prone to frequent break-ins and thefts? If so, you may want to opt for one of the best window security measures out there: security barriers.
Security barriers are made of metal or wire mesh. These barriers are installed on the outside of a window so that you can still use the window from inside (i.e. opening and closing it with ease).
The best part about security barriers in the 21st century is that we now have far more options to choose from than traditional bars. In addition, you can find security bars in different patterns and with various treatments to better align with the overall aesthetic of your home or office.
Invest in High-Quality Window Locks
High-quality locks are an integral part of security. Without them, your property is far more susceptible to break-ins. That said, it's surprising how few property owners take the time to investigate the quality of their locks.
You should always buy your security window locks from reputable brands, including:
- Doric
- Lockwood
- Whitco
- Schlage
Unlocked doors and windows are the most common entry point for intruders. Take the time to investigate your window security locks and research the brand. Then, test your locked windows from the outside to ensure that the lock is actually holding.
If you discover that your locks aren't high-quality or aren't doing the trick anymore, it's time to invest in something new. Consider sliding window security locks, sash window security locks, or aluminium siding window security locks.
Get Your Window Locks From a Reliable Source
Window security is one of the most critical elements of home and office security. By increasing your window security, you can make your home far less vulnerable and lower the cost of your monthly insurance premiums. The key is to make sure you're purchasing things like window locks from a reliable source.
The Lock Shop is one of Australia's premier sources for home and business security solutions. Take a look at our full collection of window security locks and upgrade your property's security today.