You know those tall, narrow windows right next to your front door? They’re called sidelights and they can be the easiest way for a burglar to get into your home. All the burglar has to do is break the window and reach around to unlock your deadbolt. So what can be done to secure these windows? Here are some options... You can reinforce the window in a few different ways. And while none of these options are perfect, they make breaking in more difficult, which can be enough to deter a burglar. You can also purchase security window films that can be applied over the glass in the sidelights, like how tinting is applied to windows. These films don’t keep the glass from shattering, but they do make it more difficult for a burglar to get their hand through the window. We talk about these options in more depth in our article about securing your home’s windows. Most homes have single-cylinder deadbolts—that is they must be unlocked by a key on the outside, but are locked and unlocked with a thumbturn lever on the inside.

This makes it easy for thieves to break the window and unlock your deadbolt. A single-cylinder deadbolt with thumbturn on the inside. The logical conclusion might then be to install a double-cylinder deadbolt. A double-cylinder deadbolt must be locked and unlocked by a key on both sides of the door. That way, if a burglar breaks the sidelight they won’t be able to unlock the deadbolt. However, in most places (including Atlanta, Washington DC and Philadelphia), double-cylinder deadbolts are against building code. Well, in case of a fire everyone needs to be able to get out of the home quickly and easily. But if the front door is locked and you don’t have a key (or forget where the key is because you’re panicking), you won’t get out safely. So if you want added security without putting your family at risk, consider a captive key double-cylinder deadbolt. These deadbolts have a thumbturn on the inside, like a single-cylinder lock.  But when you leave (and no one is home), you remove the thumbturn with a key and lock the door from the outside.

The lock then becomes a double-cylinder lock. Here’s a video showing how a Medeco captive key deadbolt works. With enough time and patience, a burglar can bypass any of the physical security measures above. That’s why we also recommend installing a glass-break detector if you have sidelights by your front door. purchase garage door torsion springsGlass-break detectors trigger your alarm as soon as a burglar smashes a window, that way an alarm sounds before the burglar can unlock your door. garage door opener parts in calgaryGlass-break detectors come in 2 types: Acoustic glassbreak detectors Place these detectors within 25 ft. of the window so they can “listen” for the sound of breaking glass. solid oak doors leicester

Good acoustic glass-break sensors are dual-tech, listening for 2 frequencies: the sound of an impact followed quickly by the sound of shattering glass. This technology helps reduce false alarms from things like dropping a glass in the kitchen. Honeywell FG-730 Glassbreak Detector (Dual-tech acoustic) Glassbreak shock sensors Shock sensors are placed on the window itself. ceramic door knobs londonThese sensors detect the shock from someone hitting the window to break it. bifold closet doors problemsThese are a great option if your acoustic sensors are giving you false alarms. contemporary front doors devonHoneywell Wireless Shock Sensor Ackerman Security can help you secure your sidelights (and the rest of your home). outdoor area rugs sam's club

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