Last week we created a post designed to help create Residential Door Security. In that post, we share several options to help customers achieve this important goal. This week, we turn our focus to another important area of home security. Windows can provide surprisingly easy access to your home for burglars if not properly secure. Therefore, we recommend taking extra precautions to make sure your alarm does this job for you. In this post, we share some tips on using your alarm to secure your windows.

We’ll begin with a look at our most common type of window security sensor. Our door and window contacts form the “backbone” of just about any security system. From there, we’ll see how some lesser-known security contacts can create added security in your home. Specifically, we’ll examine applications for motion detectors, glass break detectors, and security screens. Finally, we’ll wrap things up by showing you how we can connect cameras to our newest security systems. Cameras provide a unique level of overall home security that you cannot get from burglar alarm contacts. Now, let’s dive in by seeing how installing window sensors can help you properly secure your home.

An Interlogix wireless contact sensor

Window and door sensors, such as this wireless model by Interlogix, activate when the magnet (on the left) separates from the sensor itself (on the right).

Standard Window Sensors

As we pointed out earlier, door and window contacts (also called “sensors”) create basic security for all of our alarm customers. The sensor generally sits on a door or window, with a magnet on the door or window frame. Once the door or window opens, the magnet and the contact itself separate from each other. In turn, the breaking of the magnetic seal activates the alarm system.

We also offer slight variations of this contact. For example, some sensors have buttons that sit in a frame, allowing a closed door or window to hold the button in place. Upon the door or window’s opening, the button pops up and trips the alarm. No matter what type of contact we install, they all do a great job alerting you to someone opening a window when your system is armed. Furthermore, our monitored security systems also call our central station upon activation. If needed, our central station alerts the authorities and creates a police dispatch. Obviously, these factors all make installing contacts on windows an effective security measure. However, we also offer other means of securing areas with windows. Next up, let’s look at the types of sensors we use to make this happen!

Specialty Alarm Sensors for Added Security

In addition to window sensors, we also install other types of alarm equipment to “watch” over areas with windows. In this section, we’ll look at three unique ways to make this happen. We’ll examine these sensors from most to least well-known. So now, without further ado, let’s take a look at how motion detectors can help you secure large areas of your home.

Motion Detectors

Motion detectors can detect the heat caused by a person walking into a room. We often install these detectors in rooms with many windows or sliding glass doors. This offers cost-conscious customers a more efficient security option than purchasing contacts for each and every window. These detectors can also act as a backup in case burglars utilize advanced methods for a entering your home. For example, window sensors do not detect thieves who break in by cutting or smashing glass without opening a window. In these instances, motion detectors provide the security needed to activate the alarm. For this reason, we always recommend installing these sensors in your home’s main areas. Let’s turn our attention to another useful sensor we can use to provide window security.

Glass Break Detectors

Glass break detectors play a large role in our security installations. These unique sensors can detect the sound and impact of breaking glass in your home. One detector can generally catch breaking glass up to 20 feet away. Therefore, installing them in the center of a room with many windows can effectively help secure the entire area. We often install these detectors in rooms with picture windows or sliding glass doors, both of which allow burglars to gain entry by breaking glass and walking right in.  Additionally, since these sensors activate upon the breaking of glass, they usually create a siren response before a burglar enters your home, rather than after! Speaking of which, let’s look at another type of security product designed to stop burglars from ever entering your home.

Security Screens

A lot of our customers have never heard of security window screens. Despite their less-known status, window screens can provide a great first defense against intruders. In order to break in through a window, burglars must first remove or cut through any screen blocking their way. Monitored window screens will create an alarm response as soon as either one of these events happens. Whether burglars carefully remove the screen or cut through it, their actions will immediately set your alarm’s siren and central station response in action.

An Alarm.com camera capturing kids walking up a staircase

Alarm.com smart cameras provide window security by allowing you to monitor your entire home, inside and out.

Hearing the siren at this very early point in their burglary attempt can unnerve thieves. Obviously, time is of the essence in these types of situations. Window screens can create the quickest possible alarm response to a burglar’s attempts to enter your home through a window. At this point, we’ve looked at some burglar-alarm specific equipment to help secure your windows. Now, let’s look at another security product that we can use to boost your home’s security.

Connecting Smart Cameras to Your Alarm

We often install smart cameras as part of a security system installation. When we install home security, we generally do so using our cellular dialer powered by Alarm.com. The Alarm.com cellular dialer creates a direct connection between your alarm system and our central station. This provides the most consistent alarm monitoring possible. While traditional alarm monitoring involves tying a security system in to our customers’ phone lines, cellular-dialer based monitoring keeps your security system monitored even when your phone lines go down. Additionally, the Alarm.com dialer will allow you to control your security system and any other connected smart home devices remotely using a smart phone and the free Alarm.com app. In addition to your alarm system, you can control smart locks, thermostats, and other smart devices using this app.

However, our most popular security-based smart home addition is the Alarm.com smart camera. These cameras provide a powerful and convenient solution for home surveillance. Alarm.com smart cameras provide both live and recorded video in and around your home. Moreover, they also allow you to create live video alerts. This ensures that you do not miss any important activity on your property. In this manner, smart surveillance can help you secure your windows both from the inside and from the outside! Installing exterior smart cameras allows you to potentially catch thieves snooping around the home before they attempt a break-in. The ability to keep “eyes” on a home and yard make these cameras one of our most popular window security options.

Secure Your Windows and Experience Complete Home Security

We hope that this post helps you secure your windows and experience the security and peace of mind provided by a well-designed security system. Furthermore, we encourage you to contact us with any questions you may have about the material presented here. We will happily answer any security-related queries you may have. Additionally, we encourage you to take advantage of our free site survey program. We offer complimentary security audits and equipment quotes to both new and existing customers alike. While on site, we will address any security issues you would like us to address. Moreover, we can make recommendations of our own based on what we find during our visit. Together, we can create a complete security plan to keep you, your most valuable possessions, and your family as safe and secure as possible!