Are Your Windows Secure? What to Look Out for in Your Home

Window with locked latches

Home security is important, and you want to have the confidence that you, your family, and your belongings are safe from break-ins and bad weather. New Jersey Siding & Windows, Inc., has put together a list of tips to make sure your windows are doing their jobs effectively. With this advice, you can check for insecure windows and find solutions to make your home safer.

Cheap or Defective Hardware

The most obvious sign of an insecure window lies within its hardware. Most windows come with a mechanism to lock or latch them, making it difficult to open from outside. If your hardware is of subpar quality, broken, or defective, the lock or latch won’t do its job sufficiently. We recommend checking your home windows for things like:

  • Locks or latches that don’t close completely
  • Loose hardware that can be jiggled or shaken open
  • Sticky locks that may not always seal correctly
  • Any other signs of malfunction or deterioration

If your hardware is breaking down, the solution may be as simple as investing in new window locks. There are a variety of options on the market that can improve your security by working alongside or in replacement of the existing hardware.

The Glass

The second feature to check is the glass itself. Newer windows have the option of being made with shatter-resistant glass, meaning that laminate is sandwiched between two of the three panes of glass.  When hail, a stray baseball, or a burglar cracks the window, this web will hold the glass in place. Shatter-resistant glass is durable, long-lasting, incredibly reliable, and can be trusted to keep your home secure.

Access from Outside

Finally, go outside and examine your home’s exterior. Look for any windows that are large enough for a human to fit through, as well as easy reach from the ground or from on top of another object. If you have any windows that can be accessed from outside, focus your security efforts on those. Rearrange landscaping, install advanced locks, replace faulty hardware, and do whatever you can to make sure they’re difficult to penetrate. You can also invest in specialty accessories for added protection. For instance, security bars make windows harder to break into and could include decorative elements to improve the look of your home.

Improve Home Security with Replacement Windows

If you decide your windows aren’t secure enough, the best solution is to replace them. New Jersey Siding & Windows, Inc., offers high-quality windows and installation services to customers throughout Northern New Jersey. Schedule your consultation today by contacting us online, and ask how we can address your insecure windows and improve your home’s safety.