Having secure garage windows is crucial for keeping thieves out of your home. A garage’s windows can give criminals a quick look at the valuables in your garage. If someone spots something they want in your garage, they may open your garage door to steal it.
Seven ways to secure garage windows on your property are:
- Add Transparent Film to Window Glass
- Install Window Glass Break Sensors
- Secure Windows With a High-Quality Lock
- Install Motion Sensor Lighting Near Garage
- Invest in a Home Security System
- Apply Window Security Film
- Upgrade Your Garage Door Windows
These preventative measures make it difficult for criminals to see into your garage or open the windows. Don’t give a burglar an easy access point to your home. Keep reading further to learn how to secure your garage’s windows with proven methods.
Why Should You Secure Your Garage Windows?
When securing your home, your garage windows may be a second thought and not receive proper attention. However, you would be surprised how many criminals look to target easy entry points. According to Reolink, 9% of burglars enter a home through the garage.
While most thieves enter the garage through the door, the windows can be accessed if they are big enough. A criminal can squeeze their way through a small opening and get access to all of your precious belongings.
Unsecured windows can also be used to access the emergency release rope to make your garage door easy to open. Fortunately, there are several proven ways to make entering your garage nearly impossible for burglars.
7 Ways to Secure Garage Windows
Add Transparent Film to Window Glass
Garage windows are often used for prying eyes to see what items they can easily take out of your home. If someone can get a full view of the inside of your garage, the chances of being robbed are much higher.
One of the easiest ways to secure your garage windows is by applying transparent film to the glass. The film will cloud the glass and give burglars a distorted view of the inside of your garage.
Some of the most effective methods of adding a transparent view through the glass are:
- Adhesive Window Film
- Frosted Glass Spray
- Blackout Window Covers
While a transparent film will still allow them to see through the window, they will only see shapes inside the garage. If you have a shiny new lawnmower or car, they won’t be able to see the object.
Install Window Glass Break Sensors
A glass break sensor is an excellent way to alert homeowners that someone is attempting to force their way into the garage. If someone smashes the window, the loud alarm will draw attention to the burglar.
While a glass break sensor shouldn’t be your only window security measure, it is a great accessory. These break sensors are also easy to install, making them a good option for homeowners.
Since these only produce sound, you should take more security measures to prevent someone from entering. A determined burglar will continue to steal items while the alarm is beeping loudly.
Secure Windows With a High-Quality Lock
Locking your windows is a home security essential that prevents thieves from lifting the window from the outside. Numerous premium window locks on the market offer superior protection for homeowners.
Install a lock on all windows around your garage. If a criminal can’t quickly enter the garage windows, they will likely think twice about entering your garage. While most garage windows have built-in locking mechanisms, you shouldn’t rely on them.
We recommend installing a pin lock or rail lock to your garage windows. These lock types will offer the most reliable security for your home and allow you to open the window easily from the inside.
Install Motion Sensor Lighting Near Garage
Lighting is a fundamental security measure that will boost visibility around entry points of your home. Motion sensor lighting is a convenient option that illuminates when it senses movement in the area.
If potential burglars look around your property, the light will tell them they are visible. However, you shouldn’t treat motion sensor lighting as the only deterrent to a crime you need in your home.
Many burglars will continue to pursue the crime if there are no other security measures around your garage. Motion sensor lighting should only complement more effective security systems like cameras.
Invest in a Home Security System
While only 17% of American households have a security system, they are one of the most reliable methods of stopping crime. You can get instant footage of a crime and help authorities identify suspects.
To protect your garage windows from crime, you should set up a security camera and point it toward your garage. You can quickly spot the person and call the police for any suspicious activities.
Purchasing a home security system from a reputable company is best if you want dependable results. At Serious Home Security, we recommend purchasing a system from the following companies:
- ADT
- Brinks Home Security
- SimpliSafe
- Vivint
Apply Window Security Film
Sometimes, a criminal won’t take the stealth route to break into your home. Burglars can take a hammer and smash the glass of your garage windows. An effective way to prevent this is with a security film if you want to secure your windows without bars.
When someone hits the glass, the glass won’t fall from the garage windows, and it will remain in place. These window films come in clear and tinted options, depending on the style you want for your property.
The downside to this method is that it can be tricky to install for homeowners unfamiliar with DIY projects. We recommend consulting with a professional company to help with the installation process.
Upgrade Your Garage Door Windows
If you have an old garage, the windows likely aren’t secure and reliable for protection. Whether you have an attached garage or a detached option, you can upgrade the garage windows with high-quality replacements.
You can invest in storm windows designed to handle impact and harsh conditions for the best results. When burglars attempt to break the glass, they will be frustrated and look for other options.
If you want to protect your garage the right way, you should hire a window installation company for the job. An improper installation can leave obvious weak points in your home that criminals can exploit.
Frequently Asked Questions
While doors are the main access point for criminals, you should still theft-proof your windows. Adding bars to your window is the most effective method, but other ways to burglar-proof your windows without bars exist. Some effective methods are applying security film, high-quality locks, and window alarms.
A garage door with windows is a safe option if you take the necessary precautions, such as window tint and glass break sensors. These safety measures will reduce the chances of burglars looking into your garage and breaking the glass. Garage doors with windows are safe, you may need some additional security.
To stop thieves from opening your garage, you must zip-tie your emergency release cord to a hard-to-reach area. Additionally, you can block the garage track and prevent the garage from opening when you aren’t home. There are many ways to make your garage door more secure as a homeowner.
Conclusion
Garage windows are a target for many burglars looking for easy access and confirming you have valuables in your garage. If you want to keep your items safe, we recommend keeping them in your home and putting the rest in a secure garden shed.
You should cover the windows with transparent or tinted security film for superior protection. Your job is to make the job of the burglars as hard as possible, so they think twice about what they are doing.
With these things in mind, invest in having secure garage windows on your property and keeping burglars out for good.