Why Burglary Bars Matter: Converting Vulnerabilities into Fortresses
The Weakest Link of Any Home: Why Burglary Bar Security Matters for Unprotected Windows
Statistics show that up to 34% of residential burglaries occur through ground-floor windows or doors with glazed panels. A single pane of glass offers no resistance against a rock, crowbar, or even a powerful kick. Once broken, the entry is open—and fast.
2. Beyond Basic Locks and Latches
Standard window latches and sliders offer only minimal delay. A pry bar or screwdriver bypasses these in seconds. Sliding glass locks fare slightly better but can still be popped or shimmed. Burglary bars provide physical denial: welded steel bars create an impenetrable barrier that even power tools struggle to breach.
3. Visible Deterrence: Sending a Clear Message
Criminals look for easy targets. The mere sight of robust steel bars on your windows signals that your home is not worth the effort. Research in criminology shows that visible security measures reduce opportunistic break-ins by up to 60%.
4. SWB’s Commitment to Quality
- Materials: ASTM-certified A36 structural steel
- Construction: Robotic welds at every intersection for uniform strength
- Anchors: Heavy-duty steel expansion or sleeve anchors rated for 2,000 lbf pull-out force
- Finishes: Cationic epoxy powder-coat in durable, fade-resistant colors
With SWB burglary bars, you’re not just buying hardware; you’re investing in engineering excellence and proven deterrence.
Types of Burglary Bars: Finding Your Perfect Fit
Fixed Burglary Bars
Description: Permanent steel bars welded into a frame that mounts to your window opening.
Best For: Ground-floor windows, basement openings, side-entry windows where egress is not required.
Advantages: Maximum forced-entry delay, no moving parts to maintain.
Considerations: Blocks emergency exit; consider other egress options for bedrooms.
Hinged Burglar Bars Doors
Description: A grille with one or more hinged panels that open inward, equipped with quick-release hardware.
Best For: Bedrooms, basements, or any window requiring emergency egress.
Advantages: Combines robust security with safe, code-compliant exit; single-motion release from inside.
Considerations: Slightly higher cost and more complex installation.
Decorative Burglary Bars
Description: Bars integrated with ornamental scrollwork, laser-cut panels, or geometric patterns.
Best For: Historic or architecturally significant homes where aesthetics are paramount.
Advantages: Security and design merge seamlessly; custom motifs available.
Considerations: Decorative infills may slightly reduce forced-entry delay compared to plain bars; SWB’s infills are tested to meet minimum strength standards.
Retractable & Telescopic Bars
Description: Bars that extend into the opening when armed and retract flush into housings when not in use.
Best For: Renters or homeowners seeking unobstructed views when security is not needed.
Advantages: Unobstructed light and ventilation; premium aesthetic.
Considerations: Mechanism requires occasional lubrication; professional installation recommended.
Selecting the Right SWB Model & Finish
Profile Options
- Model A (SlimLine): 2 cm bar diameter; sleek silhouette minimizes visual obstruction.
- Model B (HeavyDuty): 3.5 cm bar diameter with gusseted corners; top forced-entry delay.
Burglary Bar Security: Finish Choices
| Finish | Description | Ideal Use |
|---|---|---|
| Matte Black (Standard) | Contemporary, low-glare | Urban, modern homes |
| Crisp White | Blends with vinyl or painted frames | Suburban, coastal properties |
| Custom RAL Colors | Full spectrum to match siding, trim, or brick | Designer, historic restorations |
| Marine-Grade Epoxy | Extra corrosion resistance for salt air climates | Beachfront, humid regions |
All finishes carry a 10-year warranty against chalking, fading, and corrosion.
Hardware & Accessories
- Anchors: Sleeve, expansion, or epoxy anchors sized to your wall substrate
- Hinges: Butt or piano hinges rated to support the door weight
- Quick-Release Hardware: UL-listed thumb-turn levers or cam locks (< 15 lbf release force)
- Decorative Infill: Scrollwork, lattices, or custom-cut steel panels
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Burglary Bar Security: Accurate Measurement
Preparation & Cleaning
- Remove old caulk, paint flakes, sealant residue, and debris.
- Ensure the opening’s surface is smooth and accessible.
Level & Plumb Check
- Use a 1 m carpenter’s level against head jamb, sill, and both side jambs.
- Maximum deviation: 2 mm over 1 m. Shim or plane surfaces to correct.
Width Measurements
Measure across the top opening (inside-to-inside).
Take the width at mid-height.
Check the size at the sill.
Record the smallest measurement as your ordering width.
Height Measurements
- Measure from interior face of head jamb to interior face of sill on the left.
- Repeat on the right.
Record the smaller measurement.
Depth & Frame Thickness
- Measure from interior drywall or plaster face to exterior masonry or siding face.
- Note any window casing or trim that reduces effective opening.
Sketch & Photo Documentation
Even a simple pencil sketch with labels accelerates quoting and minimizes errors. Photograph your measuring tape against the opening to validate dimensions.
Burglary Bar Security: Step-by-Step Installation Guide
Note: Always wear safety glasses and gloves when handling power tools and heavy steel components.
Tools & Materials
- Drill with masonry or metal bits sized per anchor instructions
- ¼″–⅜″ steel anchors (length = wall depth + 5 mm)
- Power screwdriver or impact driver
- Carpenter’s level, tape measure, pencil
- Rubber mallet, shim stock, safety glasses, gloves
- Silicone sealant and caulking gun
- Drop cloth or tarp to protect interior flooring
Burglary Bar Security: Installing Fixed Burglary Bars
- Lay Out Components
Place top and bottom brackets beside corresponding bar modules. Confirm seam orientation and connector alignment. - Mount Top Bracket
- Hold bracket flush to interior face of head jamb.
- Level horizontally; mark pilot holes through bracket slots.
- Drill pilot holes to anchor depth + 5 mm.
- Insert anchors, position bracket, and tighten screws snugly—avoid overtightening.
- Mount Bottom Bracket
Repeat steps at sill, verifying vertical alignment via level. - Insert Bar Modules
- Slide first module into top and bottom brackets until it clicks.
- Align tongue-and-groove of the next module; tap gently with rubber mallet.
- Continue until all modules are seated.
- Seal & Touch Up
- Run a bead of silicone sealant around bracket perimeters to prevent water intrusion.
- Touch up any scratched powder-coat with the matching spray paint included.
Installing Hinged Burglar Bars Doors
- Install Side Hinge Plates
- Mark hinge-plate locations on head and sill jambs.
- Level and mark pilot-hole positions; drill, insert anchors, and tighten plate screws.
- Hang Door Panel
- With assistance, lift the door assembly and align hinge barrels.
- Insert hinge pins or slide leaves together; test swing clearance.
- Install Strike Plate & Latch
- Close door; mark where the latch meets frame.
- Hold strike plate flush; mark pilot holes; chisel a shallow recess for flush mounting.
- Drill pilot holes and secure strike plate.
- Shim & Align
- If binding occurs, insert thin shims behind hinge plates or strike plate until smooth operation.
- Re-tighten screws and re-test.
- Seal & Touch Up
- Apply silicone around hinge and strike-plate perimeters.
- Touch up paint as needed.
Burglary Bar Security: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Will burglary bars make my home look like a fortress?
A: Not with SWB. Our SlimLine profiles, custom finishes, and decorative infills transform security into an architectural feature.
Q: Can I install burglary bars myself?
A: Confident DIYers can handle most fixed and hinged installations using this guide. For masonry drilling or complex egress setups, consider SWB’s certified installer network.
Q: Do burglary bars void my window warranty?
A: Non-invasive installations (fixed bars) typically do not void warranties. Frame-mount drilling may require verification; our installation instructions minimize impact.
Q: How do burglary bars compare to security screens?
A: Security screens deter some forced entry and insects but cannot match the delay and deterrence of solid steel bars. Many homeowners combine both for layered defense.
Q: Are burglary bars legal everywhere?
A: Most jurisdictions permit them on ground-floor and basement windows. Egress requirements can be met with quick-release hinged models. Always verify local codes.
Burglary Bar Security:
Transform vulnerable glass into an unbreakable steel fortress—and rest easy knowing you’ve taken every step to protect what matters most.
