How To Secure Your Basement Windows

viii Steps to Have for Better Basement Window Security

Designed to let in light and provide an additional egress to a home's lower level, basement windows are oftentimes overlooked when homeowners consider abode security.

Photograph: depositphotos.com

Basement windows can add a touch of natural light and a breath of fresh air to a space that can otherwise be dark, stuffy, and unwelcoming, merely they are often an reconsideration when securing a abode against potential intruders. Afterward all, unlocked side windows and unsecured back doors are much larger and more attractive targets, correct? While those more obvious access routes to the interior of your home may come to your mind first, burglars have other ideas. When was the concluding time you checked to meet if your basement windows are locked—or if they even have locks?

Often located in darker areas of the yard, low to the footing, and out of the neighbors' view, basement windows provide an splendid opportunity for a criminal to become into your home. Most current building codes require basement windows to be egress points that are big enough for occupants to escape in the event of a burn down. If the windows are big enough to climb out of, they're big enough to climb in through. How tin can you secure your basement windows against determined intruders?

Time required: 30 minutes to a few hours
Difficulty: Beginner
Estimated toll: Varies depending on which solutions work for yous

Tools & Materials

• Curtains or window picture show
• Exterior ground, solar, or floodlights
• Light timers or smart lights
• Window locks
• Window confined or grates
• Window well covers
• Run into full list «
• Drill
• Screwdriver

Earlier You Begin…

Photo: istockphoto.com

The right route to securing your basement windows will depend on the kind of windows you have. Basement windows can exist minor panes, drinking glass blocks, sliding windows, or full-size double-hung units, and so the security measures will vary somewhat. If your windows are in proficient shape, y'all tin focus on taking steps to increment their security. If, however, your windows are older, show signs of rot or cracking, or no longer operate properly, it volition be worth investigating whether replacing the windows would be a good first step.

Stride one: Rearrange your basement furniture.

Finished and furnished basements can add great value to a home. Unfortunately, placing a sofa or a craft table immediately underneath a window provides intruders with a handy stride-down: no need for them to worry near injuring themselves when they drop to the floor or make a speedy exit if a halfway bespeak is already in place! In add-on, a clear view of the television and gaming system you lot installed in your basement family room or your state-of-the-art, tool-filled workbench shows burglars what they stand to gain if they can get it.

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Covering the window with a pall or shade is a first step to abating this problem. This solution makes potential intruders judge whether someone is in the room, whether they'll encounter a precipitous viii-foot drop to the floor, and whether at that place's anything in the basement worth stealing. A window treatment may conceal some of the natural calorie-free the basement window affords, but it will keep prying optics from seeing into your basement. Window decals, which create a translucent movie over the window to muddied the view while however letting in the light, are another pick. Additionally, positioning a bookcase or taller piece of furniture in front of the window will obscure the view from outside and create a concrete obstruction to entering the basement. This, too, will limit the low-cal, and should exist done with circumspection: You'll desire to brand certain that you can easily motion the furniture in example y'all need to evacuate the basement through the window in the event of a fire. An additional choice is to simply leave the space below the window empty. If a infiltrator knows they'll have nothing to land on after an awkward drop to a concrete floor and no obvious way back out, they may reconsider your basement as a target.

STEP 2: Do non place valuables nigh the window where they tin can exist seen from the outside.

As with any window in your home, you'll want to avert giving potential burglars a preview of what they tin catch before they even get inside. Basements serve dissimilar purposes in unlike homes, so while a pile of damp paper-thin storage boxes may not accept a lot of appeal to a burglar, a bully workshop, well-stocked gym, or tech-enhanced rec room provides a preview of what a burglar might exist able to grab. Constrict expensive tools behind chiffonier doors or curtains, and make sure that technology is out of view. This will aid make your basement a less- bonny target, prompting the infiltrator to move along.

Photo: istockphoto.com

STEP 3: Go along the area around basement windows well-lit and visible.

Basement configurations vary. If yours is a walk-out basement, you probably already take lights around the exterior door. Basement windows, notwithstanding, are shut to the ground, peradventure recessed, and oftentimes hard to encounter from neighbors' yards or the street. Ground plantings and shrubs also obscure your windows from view. This state of affairs provides a infiltrator everything they could desire: Darkness and blocked lines of sight give them fourth dimension to plan their approach, get in, and get out without existence observed. Pruning back shrubs and bushes from all windows (but especially low basement windows) allows for a articulate view and removes potential hiding places. Adding ground lighting effectually the perimeter of your habitation looks attractive and eliminates the darkened areas around low windows, while targeted floodlighting tin illuminate the whole space and make concealment difficult. Another option is to install move-sensor floodlights that will pick up motility near your basement windows.

In addition to outside lights, indoor lighting can likewise deter a burglar. Most people turn off their basement lights at night and retreat to their bedrooms. Leaving a light on, or placing a light on a random timer so lights turn on and off unexpectedly, volition illuminate a potential infiltrator from the inside and make the window a less-than-optimal target.

STEP four: Invest in reinforced glass to increase window security.

If it'south time to replace your basement windows, consider choosing options with reinforced glass. Like the glass in machine windows, reinforced drinking glass is treated with a moving-picture show that prevents the window from shattering when it breaks. Reinforced windows will hold the shards of glass suspended in their place even though they're broken, which means that if an intruder has been bold enough to try to smash their way in, they'll have to then wrestle their way through a glutinous, sharp wall of cleaved glass to gain entry. The peace of mind this extra layer of security provides may be worth the slightly college toll.

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What if your windows are even so in good shape? You're in luck: Aftermarket shatterproof security moving-picture show is bachelor for y'all to purchase and apply to your existing windows. It'south available in articulate, mirrored, and frosted varieties, and so if you're also interested in obscuring the view through your window, this picture show tin can both prevent potential intruders from peering through the drinking glass and make information technology harder for them to pause it.

Shatterproof glass will help defend all windows from intruders but is especially useful on windows that do not open up, such as stationary panes or glass blocks. Because those windows don't take a pressure level bespeak for an intruder to endeavour to strength open, they're more likely to exist cleaved to create an entry point.

Photo: depositphotos.com

Stride 5: Add window locks and window bars.

If your basement windows don't open up, your best defence force is shatterproof glass. If they practise, withal, a skillful lock is a necessary component to secure your home. Horizontally sliding windows can be secured with a minor clamp lock that attaches to the runway and tightens with a prepare spiral, preventing the window from sliding open. Casement windows, which crank open outward, are a little harder to secure (simply also harder to pause into because of the hinge placement). Casements can exist secured with a lock that prevents the crank handle from turning to operate the window's gears. Double-hung windows tin be locked with wedge locks, which office much like a door end that tightens further as a window is forced open up, or flip locks, which are installed on the window and the adjoining sash to flip airtight and prevent movement. Installing these locks requires basic tools such every bit a drill and screwdriver, and the locks are bachelor in a variety of finishes to complement your existing hardware.

Window bars or grates allow you to open the windows to allow for air circulation (oft in short supply in a basement) without compromising your security. Don't automatically disbelieve this pick considering of the industrial look of some bars; at that place are options that are decorative and volition add together to the aesthetic value of your domicile and others that can exist installed indoors so they're not visible from the street. These can be professionally installed if they need to be attached to the exterior, peculiarly if your home is brick or masonry, while others can be a simple DIY project.

If you lot're installing new locks or bars on your basement windows, there are two critical considerations. Offset, make certain that the members of your household know how to operate the new locks in case an emergency exit is needed. Second, develop a articulate plan to escape in instance of fire, as some security bar systems can be rapidly removed from the inside, but others are permanently installed.

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STEP 6: Secure window wells.

Below-grade windows oftentimes take wells surrounding them to keep the soil from building upwardly over the window. A well besides presents an opportunity for an intruder to constrict themselves closer to your home while they work their way in and tin can provide a landing to employ while climbing in and out. Plastic covers and grates that affix to the acme of the well provide multiple benefits: They can go along dirt, leaves, and h2o from accumulating in the well while allowing natural light to smoothen through, and they tin can preclude animals from nesting in the well (and eventually working their style inside). These covers or grates will also add a layer of security to your window by preventing an intruder from getting close plenty to try the window.

Photo: istockphoto.com

Footstep 7: Investing in a dwelling house security system and security cameras is cardinal.

How far abroad from your basement window is your bedroom? For many homeowners, the basement is two floors and several closed doors away from where they spend their evenings and nights. To combat the worry that you might not hear someone breaking into your basement window, consider investing in ane of the best abode security systems.

Without being overly complicated or exorbitantly priced, basic systems tin can include glass-break sensors, motion sensors, lights, and security cameras, all tied to either a monitored system where professionals will alert y'all and the regime to a break-in or send an alarm to an app that you monitor yourself. These systems can monitor your whole home or just the basement—whatever will provide you with the all-time peace of listen. If someone does go far into your basement window, you'll take more time to get to safety and telephone call the police.

STEP 8: If you lot already have a security system, make certain it'southward working to its total potential.

Are there decals on your basement windows indicating that the window is connected to a security system? If not, you're missing out on a central part of the security provided past your arrangement: the alarm. Intruders don't want alarms to trip or attention drawn to them in whatsoever way, and for that reason volition often shy away from homes with advertised security. Many people have pocket-sized signs or decals on their doors, but if an intruder has crept to a basement window it'south likely they've missed those other signs. Apply decals to basement windows as well.

Even if you already take a security system installed, it's worth taking the fourth dimension to check to run across if glass-pause sensors, motility detectors, or window sensors are installed on your basement windows. Because basement windows are sometimes small, or don't open, they are often overlooked in a security organization plan. It's easy to apply a couple more than sensors or alerts to an existing system to make sure you're fully protected.

Taking action to make your basement windows as secure equally possible will protect your belongings and make you feel more secure in your domicile. Options such as moving furniture, obscuring the view, and tucking valuables out of sight are quick and uncomplicated steps yous can easily achieve while assessing the possibilities and collecting supplies for additional measures like locks, lighting, and shatter proofing the glass. However, null can supervene upon the security—and peace of heed—that a home security arrangement can offer. From catching porch pirates to preventing home invasion, having a home security system is a proven way to deter criminals from targeting your holding.

Source: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/basement-window-security/

Posted by: greenetryalk1966.blogspot.com

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