Garage Windows and Security

[off2skl]

Our garage has a window on the side which is fairly high up as well as windows at the top of the garage door. My MIL was concerned about the security of that set up (someone gaining access from breaking a window via the garage). Does anyone have any experience with this? I would think that someone could break a window into the house too, so I;m not sure why the concern for the garage. We are probably installing a security system, but not sure if the garage would be included. Or should I put bars on the garage windows?
Thanks!

[MrsBeckyLP]

Where do you live? Big city?

Honestly, I would have never even thought of it. Around here most garages have windows in them, some quite large (the two sets of front right windows are all in the garage):

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k269/lp_becky/1462783dx.jpg

The garage of the house I grew up in had a small window like you're describing, but the only time it was broken was by a baseball! I wouldn't think someone would go through the hassle of breaking a high garage window and trying to climb through. Surely it would cause a commotion.

[MrsSmith]

Actually, garages are an easy entrance into houses for criminals. they are not usually as secure and don't take as much to enter. So, I would consider getting a contact alarm on the door from the garage to the house and from the house to the outdoors. The windows might allow someone to enter the garage, but then if they try to get into the house, the alarm would sound. If you're really concerned about the windows, see if the alarm company can put a contact on them also.

[SingleWhiteFemale]

Brinks has glassbreak detectors. I just had them installed (but not in the garage), and they're $160 each (I'm in a HCOB area). ADT didn't give me a pricetag per glassbreak detector (they didn't break it down, just gave me a lump sum). If you're interested further in Brinks/pricetag/system options and why I'm a fan of Brinks and NOT ADT, please feel free to PM me.

I am not really worried about the garage--we only have the windows in the garage doors. If they do get into the garage, there isn't anything of actual value to steal plus they wouldn't be able to get into the garage unnoticed (So if someone was home, we'd know someone entered. If no one was home, there aren't any cars to steal. Just some steaks in the freezer, and tools that aren't of huge value). The door entering the house from the garage has a contact door sensor that triggers when it opens, in addition to a deadbolt lock.

If you don't keep anything of real value in your garage (beside your cars, which if no one is home your cars aren't there either, correct?), I wouldn't truly worry about it. I would make sure though, to put a contact sensor on the door entering from your garage to your home.

I'm personally a fan of the glassbreak detectors because I've seen so many It Takes a Thief episodes where when the windows are closed/locked, they break glass to gain entrance. Our windows are always closed and locked, and have screens blocking them as well, so breaking the middle of the bay windows would most likely be the prefered method.

Oh! Almost forgot to add, we did have someone get into our garage one night about 13 years ago. They were able to get a garage door remote from a car parked outside (not usually there, but we were finishing the basement and had the wood/drywall stored in the garage). For some reason, the guy went into the garage and grabbed a steak knife (really crummy and dull one kept for gardening/handy work) and tried to pry open the car's glove box. Didn't work as we hadn't been able to with its lock broken for years. When we heard the garage door open--right below the master suite--my father walked to the window upstairs to look outside, saw someone, triggered the alarm's shrieking high pitched squeal, and he took off. He dropped all the stuff he had taken from the other people's cars before he fled. Nothing was taken, no entry was attempted into the house. But my forewarning to everyone is, be aware of your garage door remote's location at all times. And don't keep keys in your car! That guy could have kept the opener, to come back at a later time. Unfortunately, this hasn't clicked with my neighbors, who never ever lock their house entrance from the garage door, even on vacation (no alarm system either). They also keep a set of house keys and car keys in the car, which were stolen that night from them by dropped in my driveway when the guy fled. Extremely scary.

[riotgrrl]

i don't know if any of you have watched "it takes a thief" ..it's a show on the discovery channel.

i am really shocked by this show and my dbf is very adamant that we get a security system because of it. they break into all kinds of houses and buildings. they even robbed a police station!

our new house has 11 windows, 4 doors, and a garage door. every single window or door will have a dector on it before my dbf is said and done. also there will be motion dectors in the main parts of the house.

and last night on that show actually they broke into a skate shop that did have an alarm system but it didnt have a motion dector in the stock room. so even areas where you think you might not need one..such as a garage..you do. you never know what a criminal is going to do these days if they are motivated to get into your house.

[AHammer]

my HOA has a "crime alert" phone line and it was activated recently. some thieves in our area are gaining access to houses through windows/doors into garages that aren't locked, then the door from the garage to the house isn't locked. granted, I live in the "most dangerous city in the US" (dallas) according to many studies.. but it sounds like this is common.

[mamax2]

Actually, garages are an easy entrance into houses for criminals. they are not usually as secure and don't take as much to enter. So, I would consider getting a contact alarm on the door from the garage to the house and from the house to the outdoors.

Ditto this. Our garage windows are the only windows on the 1st floor that are NOT alarmed. BUT, the door from the garage to the house is and it's always locked - when I'm home and when we're gone. I keep my car w/the opener parked in the garage and DH's car is locked in the driveway.

[HeatherFL]

In addition to alarms, you can do security films. We just did this to hurricane proof the house. They're bomb blast tested, flying object tested and so on. It's "prettier" than putting bars on the windows and helps keep the burglars out! (Also blocks UV rays so if you park your cars inside the garage it helps keep the paint from fading and will help to keep the garage cooler.)

Info on the 3M Films (http://www.3m.com/us/arch_construct/scpd/prestige/residential.html)

Info on the Safety/Security Features (http://www.3m.com/us/arch_construct/scpd/prestige/safety_security.html) :
Taken from the site: 3M Safety and Security Window Films also help you deter street crime. Because the window film helps hold the glass in place, criminals don’t have the quick access they need to successfully smash and grab merchandise. Often the window slows them down to such a degree that they may choose to move on to an easier target.