Alternatives to unsightly window grills

[agave]

Hi, does anyone have ideas/suggestions for alternatives to unsightly security grills for windows?

For example, has anyone tried using square aluminum bars? Is there ready-made or it is feasible to fabricate? (By the way, is Durafix aluminum welding available locally?)

How about adding polycarbonate on the outside or inside. Polycarbonate not cheap though. If outside, I'm not sure how to affix it nicely and in a way not so easy to remove and in a way not to have trapped moisture problems. If inside, it would work only for fixed windows, otherwise you would be blocking the flow or air.

One solution might be 'security film' like http://www.securityfilm.biz/ . Anyone know if this is available locally and how much it would cost?

Any other ideas?

[katherine147]

try 3m or vcool they have security films

[albert_b]

Wow! Thats great... I wonder if these security films come in "no color" transparent types... tsaka any idea how much 3ms and vCool security film costs?

[cyberfunk]

If you're going to rely on the glass panel for security then I guess those windows would have to be fixed permanently. Having an unbreakable glass on an awning or sliding window then an intruder would just simply work on the hinges and locks. Your house can still be robbed empty.. well, at least you wont have a broken expensive windows if thats any consolation.

[albert_b]

very good point cyber :-)

[basbr]

How much does security films cost? What are available locally? How effective will this be?

I also hate window grills.

[glenchuy]

3M has security films. mahal sya. vcool mas mahal pa. halos triple. check with 3M.

nramos@mmm.com
nino ramos
3M

sya contact ko sa 3M although different product. refer ka nya sa tamang guy in charge of security films.

i used to install security films on bank facades. pero para sa akin, useless. kung nanakawan ka, gagawa at gagawa yun ng paraan.

security films are installed on condos na hindi double glazed ang glass, added protection sa lakas ng hangin. minsan kasi, naiiwanang bukas ang bintana. tapos pag bumagyo, nag slam ang glass windows.

there are 3M films which can stop bullets. check nyo nalang sa 3M directly. matagal ko ng di ginagamit yun e.

[basbr]

Oh well, I'll just see the cost and benefit. Mukhang mahal nga. I agree that if burglars really want to enter your house, they would do it in a lot of ways. Kaya I don't like to put grills just for security reason and ruin the design of the house and also endanger our lives in case of emergencies.

[albert_b]

A friend of mine installed grills in all the windows at ground level and made sure all windows in the next floor are without. He says that if there was fire, he can jump out of the second floor. It's a good compromise for those who are concerned about security and safety.

[cyberfunk]

Oh well, I'll just see the cost and benefit. Mukhang mahal nga. I agree that if burglars really want to enter your house, they would do it in a lot of ways. Kaya I don't like to put grills just for security reason and ruin the design of the house and also endanger our lives in case of emergencies.

In some countries It's illegal to install them. If greatly devalue the property and the community. Usually the neighborhoods who has window grills are considered unsafe thus affect the property market.

[glenchuy]

A friend of mine installed grills in all the windows at ground level and made sure all windows in the next floor are without. He says that if there was fire, he can jump out of the second floor. It's a good compromise for those who are concerned about security and safety.

nanakawan ako sa bahay once. my house has 10mm square bars as grilles on ALL windows. my perimeter wall is 3 meter high (yes 3 meter) solid concrete with glass shards. the garden just after the wall had IR movement alarm detection. i have CCTV on the main gate.

the burglar climbed up the tree on the outside and climbed on top of the concrete exterior wall than moved from tree to tree unto the balcony. he cut the rebars slightly until he was able to bend them and went inside the house throug a 600x600 sliding glass door on the toilet.

talk about effort and planning. i woke up because he got greedy. there was a huge pile of coins all neatly stacked on top of my writing desk. siguro hindi nakatiis ang loko. nagising ako kasi bumagsak e.

he quickly ran out as i frantically looked for my pistol on my side table.

he jumped from the balcony to the ground on the ground floor (yup. jumped.) climbed a tree near the wall and jumped out to the exterior garden. (yup. jumped)

so kung nanakawan ka. nanakawan ka.

[albert_b]

I agree with Cyber and Glen.

I hate those grilles din nakakabawas talaga sa design ng bahay pero sometimes syempre it gives you some peace of mind lalo na if all your neighbors has them pero ikaw wala. Imagine if someone is looking for a house to burglar... ikaw na agad ang top pick. I also agree that if mananakawan eh talagang nanakawan, pero it also helps if you can at least put some measure to deter them.

Grabe naman yung nangyari sa yo Glen... you need dogs :-)

Here are some grill designs na I'm looking at... any comment?
Btw, hehe siyempre I'll be modifying them para hindi kasya ang tao pero I'll be following the pattern.

[zippylemon]

nakakabawas talaga ng ganda sa windows ang mga grills kaso we just feel secure if may grills.

parang madalang or wala pa ako naririnig na nagbasag ng windows para makapasok at nakawan ang isang bahay. alam kasi ng mga magnanakaw na magca-cause ng ingay yung pagbasag.

kung talagang nanakawan ka kahit anong security ilagay mo nagagawan nila ng paraan.

[bmd]

Depends on the house's style and your budget.
For example, hardwood set horizontally, even as shelves in front of glass a la FLWright. Jali for traditional homes. Or decoratively artsy (even Gaudi-like) grilles for more eclectic designs.
Or what we did: lightly reflectorized operable glass windows with fixed French type frames behind them. Looks like solid sheet on outside, and like French windows from the inside.
Yet I agree. You can take all these structural precautions, but if the help lets intruders in, then that's it for you. That has happened to us too.

[rendaku]

In some countries It's illegal to install them. If greatly devalue the property and the community. Usually the neighborhoods who has window grills are considered unsafe thus affect the property market.

I agree. And it should be one of the things those who scout for lot to build on observe. If the neighbor’s houses are bounded by high walls with barbed wires or broken bottles, and windows are fitted with grilles, alam mo na maraming magnanakaw doon sa lugar.

[rendaku]

Any alternative to iron grilles should prevent forced intrusion to the house using any tool that iron grilles would prevent. Anything that can be removed or destroyed using lighter tools such as knife or machete, or more easily with a crowbar cannot be a good alternative. Preventing entry through the opening is the primary purpose of using iron grilles. The alternative must also allow free circulation or flow of air.

[bossingvic]

here's my suggestion,guys:

Clearshield Stainless Steel Security Australia

http://www.clearshield.com.au/sec_screens.html

http://www.clearshield.com.au/standards.html

http://www.clearshield.com.au/energy.html

http://www.clearshield.com.au/sec_doors.html

Im also interested in this product for my condo in place of balcony grills & window grills.

Hope you guys can share your views about this product. TIA!

[agave]

Interesting, but are those Australian things available locally?

From someone's travel blog, somewhere in Europe or South America:

[cyberfunk]

Spanish influence but looks seems to be in the Caribbean region.. The houses are almost like fortresses.. perhaps a high crime or drug rate..

[glenchuy]

I agree. And it should be one of the things those who scout for lot to build on observe. If the neighbor’s houses are bounded by high walls with barbed wires or broken bottles, and windows are fitted with grilles, alam mo na maraming magnanakaw doon sa lugar.

lol. funny you should say that. i live in an exclusive village, and none of my neighbors have concrete walls three meters high. most of them just have 1.5 meter high steel grilles. siguro nga napagtripan lang talaga.

i have a dog, it's a chihuaha. but that doesn't count