At Northeast Security Solutions, we know every one of our customers’ homes deserves special attention when designing a security system. Every application brings its own security challenges, and we always work closely with homeowners to address these concerns in a way that fits their security needs, meets their expected security experience, and works with their budget. One of the biggest variables in each alarm layout lies in the plan to secure a home’s windows. Creating effective window security often involves getting creative to find the perfect solution for all of our customers. In this post, we detail some of the window security sensors that we use to make this happen!
First, we’ll take a look at a couple popular forms of window security that we offer. These include devices that create security for each and every window that we install them on if desired. Moreover, we can also install sensors for more cost-effective, general security. After looking at these well-known security system features, we’ll turn our attention to some unique forms of alarm security that escape many customers’ knowledge. The security measures included in this section work to catch thieves before they can even step foot in your home! Now, let’s dive in with a look at a couple of our most effective and requested types of sensors that provide window security.
“Common” Window Sensor Security
As we mentioned, we always create some form window security for our customers. Of course, sometimes these plans require more creativity than others. In this section, we’ll explain the more common forms of window security that we offer. These include a plan to secure windows individually, as well as a way to secure large portions of your home with one sensor. Let’s begin with a look at one of our most popular window security sensors that we utilize!
Individual Window Sensor Security
Wireless window contacts (also called “sensors”) create basic window security on a per-window basis. The sensor generally sits on the window itself, with a magnet on the window frame. Once the window opens, the magnet and the contact move away 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 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.
Window sensors, such as this wireless model by Interlogix, activate when the magnet (on the left) separates from the sensor itself (on the right).
However, installing window sensors on every window can get expensive quickly. Additionally, these sensors do not work on picture windows, and do not create an alarm activation if someone breaks into your home without physically opening a window. Our next type of window security sensors can create efficient security that addresses these issues!
Motion Detectors to Secure Large Areas
Motion detectors generally work by sensing 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. As we mentioned above, 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 recommend installing these sensors in your home’s main areas. Now, let’s move on to some of the lesser-known ways we secure our customers’ windows!
Specialty Window Security
At this point, we’ll shift our focus from the sensors that all of our customers know about to a couple options that surprise the owners of the homes we secure. As we mentioned earlier, the equipment described here activates your alarm before anyone’s gotten into your home. This makes installing these sensors an extremely effective security addition to any home! Let’s begin with a sensor that can secure your rooms with large panes of glass, which often entices thieves.
Glass Break Detectors
Glass break detectors play a large role in our security installations for customers with picture windows or sliding doors. 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 which allow burglars to gain entry by breaking glass and walking right in. Since these sensors activate upon the breaking of glass, they create a siren response before a burglar enters your home, rather than after! This gives them a leg up on motion detectors, which do not sense a thief’s presence until they’ve entered your home. Speaking of which, let’s look at another unique type of security product designed to stop burglars from ever entering your home.
Shock Sensors
Shock sensors provide a great way to provide a couple layers of security on your windows. First and foremost, these sensors can detect the shockwaves associated with someone attempting to break a window. Like glass break detectors, these sensors can create an alarm response before your window opens. Additionally, these sensors often double as window sensors because they also include a magnet! This means that shock sensors can work as standard window sensors as well in case a criminal opens a window without using excessive force. Therefore, these sensors provide a tremendous amount of value and security when designing and alarm. Now, let’s look at one of our least-expected — and most effective — security offerings for window security.
This diagram of a Tashman alarm screen details how their product can create an alarm response from a burglar attempting to cut or remove a security screen from a window.
Security Window Screens
A lot of our customers have never heard of security window screens. Despite this fact, 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, such as the one pictured, will create an alarm response as soon as this happens. Whether a burglar carefully removes the screen or brazenly cuts through it, these actions create an alarm response. Hearing the siren at this very early point in their burglary attempt can unnerve thieves. Window screens can create the quickest possible alarm response to a burglar’s attempts to break in through a window.
Taking Advantage of Our Security Sensors to Add Window Security
We hope that this post helps you understand the many window security sensors we use to create complete window security. Of course, we encourage you to contact us with any questions you may have about this topic. We will happily answer any and all of your security-related inquiries. Furthermore, we also invite 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 can help you create solutions to your existing security concerns. Moreover, we can also make suggestions of our own based on our observations of your property.
Perhaps you have an alarm in place and wish to take advantage of the security described here. Or, maybe you’re new to the security “game” and want assistance designing an alarm from the ground up. Either way, we are here to help! Over our 35-plus years in business, we’ve helped over a thousand homeowners design and install alarms that meet their security needs and expectations for an ideal user experience. Together, we can create a complete security plan to keep you, your home, and your family as safe and secure as possible!