How Effective are Burglar Bars?

Do any of the following sound familiar — window grilles, security bars or window lattices, window guards or window bars? If yes, you’ve heard of burglar bars before!

These window security guards are a neat fitting of strong metal bars which cannot be removed without professional tools, on your window — either in a horizontal or vertical fashion. And, like its name, its primary purpose is creating an obstruction for any burglar trying to get into your house.

These window security bars also have additional benefits apart from keeping out unwanted guests — they prevent any accidental falls from the windows or are an additional safety measure if you live on ground level.

With the crime rate on the rise, many owners in Melbourne are choosing to have burglar guards installed instead of worrying about house aesthetics. And, they aren’t disappointed after all with the available options in the market. Read on to find out all you need to know about window security guards.

How much do They Cost?

On an average, installing these burglar guards could cost you about $900, as many owners usually pay between $600 and $1,500 to get these installed. It’s important to remember that the price you will pay will depend a lot on how big your window is, the material of the guards accordingly and the installation of guards costs.

Remember if you choose steel or aluminum guards, you can expect the price you pay to be higher than other grills. And, customising the bars to suit your property aesthetics can add a little more to your expense too.

Are They Worth the Cost?

If the safety of your property is a priority for you, then installing burglar guards may be definitely worth the expense. Not only do they protect your property from burglars trying to enter through a broken or open window, they can also withstand heavy force, only breaking with professional tools such as an electric grinder. This works well as a firewall for your property as houses without these grills are often spotted as easy targets for quick burglars looking for quick robberies.

Bars also provide additional safety for children and pets, all while offering plenty of ventilation.

Are Security Grills Legal?

Most house rental contracts do not allow any renovations or structural replacements. So if you are renting property and wish to install burglary grills, you should first ask your landlord and only then make any purchase.

However, if you own property and wish to install security grills, it would be advisable that you go for openable guards with release mechanisms rather than permanently closed grills. Having openable guards allows you a safe exit in times of emergencies. And, if not all, then at least having one openable bar would be ideal.

Making Grills that Suit Your Property

Many owners often avoid the benefit and added security of burglar bars thinking that it will ruin their house’s appearance by disrupting the aesthetics. However, there are many ways to make sure that these grills suit your home. Take a look at them below.

• Ask your security door provider to customise the design of the grills so that it complements your house.
• Use ivy or other plants and flowers to decorate your glass.
• Use brighter colors on the grills to decorate them.
• Buy or install vibrant shutters that add to the aesthetic value.

Other Important Things You Need to Note:

Whether you’ve decided to install burglar bars in your home or not, there are a few important points you need to make note of.

• The bars are a good choice for ground floor and basement windows too!
• They protect your home from intruders trying to forcefully enter your home.
• They help avoid accidental falls.
• They offer you the chance of enjoying good ventilation without the worry of who could get into your home.
• They can be installed easily and are sold as an attachment to your glass.
• They can be exterior bars or interior bars. The latter offer more security as they are even tougher to remove as the glass needs to be opened or smashed first in order to do so.
• They are a one-time investment compared to security measures like alarms, cameras and others.
• They need to have a release mechanism that allows the people inside the house to open up the security screen in emergencies.

Remember, while your windows offer ventilation and a view, they also are a sensitive point for any intruder looking to break in.

Installing burglar bars can put your mind at ease and prove effective in protecting you, your loved ones, your belongings and everything else inside your home from uninvited intruders. In other words, they do help you sleep better at night without worrying about your home’s security.

About the Author:

Nicholas and George are co-owners of AAA Security Doors, a well-known establishment in Australia for its durable window security bars and window screens.