Despite the popular belief that nothing can stop a criminal, trivial security measures can seriously complicate his task. The bars on the first floor windows are just such basic elements of home protection. However, it is important to understand here that they are different, and not all are capable of becoming a real obstacle to a thief. Plastic roller shutters, removable grilles - all of them can protect from accidental impact rather than from deliberate actions. In addition, when installing protective products on windows, do not forget about such an aspect as fire safety.
To find out what reliable structures should really be like, you should look for thematic photos and read the recommendations. Next, we will briefly present the main points of their use.
General requirements for the grid
The following points can be highlighted here:
- The bars are a warning signal to the criminal that this house cares about its safety. Therefore, the more impressive it looks, the better;
- The quality of the grating must be appropriate for the task. Material of manufacture: steel;
- If possible, the grate should contain some thief traps.
Initially, the main task of the grid is to temporarily detain the criminal - until the security or alarm reacts. But since not everyone has the funds to provide capital protection, a steel product becomes the main factor protecting against burglary.
A metal grill will not only help protect the house from an intruder, but can also become a decoration for the facade
Options for intruders to enter a home
Of particular relevance is the use of bars on the windows of the first floor due to the fact that they open onto a poorly visible and unlit area of the backyard. It is a favorite place for attackers. Therefore, the grille must be firmly welded from the outside to a metal frame, which is recessed into the concrete lining of the window opening. This is due to the fact that criminals may try to forcefully influence the lattice structure. In particular, try to pull it out using a metal cable coming from the car. Another scenario could be hidden pruning with hand tools over a long period of time. A thief can use quite effective cutters that can cut through even 10 mm reinforcement. At the same time, the operation of these devices is quite quiet.
Attention! To counter this threat, it is recommended to use durable metal as the grating material. Manganese or carbon steel is suitable. In the first case, even a grinder may not help the attacker cope.
The use of lattice structures may become relevant not only for the first floor. If there are strong trees close to the house, and the owners of the second (and even third!) floors are protected only by plastic double-glazed windows, then the risk of penetration in this way is very high.
Most people are annoyed by the appearance of metal structures, as a result of which they make a common mistake. They make a choice in favor of aesthetically attractive, decorative elements. This type of protective fittings can hardly guarantee the safety of the home owner.
Carbon steel gratings are the most burglar resistant
Kinds
Internal models are not exposed to natural factors and therefore do not require a protective coating.
An additional advantage is that the grilles are less visible from the outside and therefore attract less attention. Also, there is no need to paint the structures in the same style as the facade.
It is easier to equip valves on the inside, which are easier to open in case of fire, than on the outside.
With bottom suspension
A system with rollers located at the bottom is used if there is no need to hide or disguise the sliding mechanism.
Model with bottom roller
They are found inside stores, in shop windows. They are considered a less convenient type of shutters, they lack smooth operation, but they are attractive due to their low price.
With top suspension
When you need to hide the sliding system, choose modifications with upper rollers.
The wheels are located inside a guide that covers the mechanism. The movement is smoother and smoother.
Top roller model
It is better to use when frequent opening and closing of shutters is required, for example, in a private house or apartment.
Folds to one side
The designs differ in the way they open. If the window has only one opening sash, then a design that folds longitudinally to one side is suitable.
The model folds to one side
The folded product fits tightly to the window opening, or moves along a special groove between the decorative and main walls.
Folds on both sides
When the sash is located in the middle, or it is the only block of glass, you can install an “accordion” model, which slides apart in both directions and connects in the middle.
Opening in two directions
Sliding system with fixed insert
There are variations when three blocks are made: the side shutters move to the sides, and the middle one is monolithic and firmly secures the closed position. This variety is used on wide windows.
There are mixed mechanisms in which one side always remains motionless, and the other folds.
"Scissors"
The mechanism assumes the absence of an upper and lower contour that overlaps the ends of the rods. The external similarity of the folding process with the principle of operation of scissors gave rise to the name of the design.
The iron tips are welded to each other, but are not limited at the top or bottom.
Sliding scissor mechanism
The parts of the sliding mechanism are not stationary relative to each other; the position is fixed by profiles.
An overview of sliding internal shutters is shown in the following video:
Standard
The cheapest are standard products for warehouses, apartments, and other premises.
Standard grille
The simple design does not attract too much attention.
Art models
Decorative models differ in appearance.
They are often produced by figured forging, which increases the cost of products.
Artistic lattice
They are found in cottages, restaurants, cafes, shops, and when decorating buildings as antique.
Custom production is possible.
Banking
Bank bars are reliable, highly durable, and resistant to burglary attempts. To create them, large-diameter metal blanks and especially strong locks are used.
Bank lattice
Better quality compared to standard dampers. They place them in banks, at cash registers, and in safe rooms.
Swing grating designs
As a rule, in most cases, swing structures on windows are used. These bars allow you to have unhindered access to the window opening during the day, and can be locked at night. The structure without movable joints is suspended on hinges, on the reverse side of which the grid reinforcement is additionally reinforced with pins. The load from any impact will be transferred to a steel frame recessed in the concrete of the first floor.
Attention! You should remember about fire safety rules, which require the presence of a sliding grille on at least one window. Since the possibility of opening from the inside in this way will provide the owner with an additional exit from the burning house.
Swinging movable structures will be in no way inferior to conventional stationary ones only if certain manufacturing conditions are met:
- Forged reinforcement rods with a diameter of 10 mm or more were used in production;
- Forged and welded production of lattice structures;
- The steel corner of the frame must be at least 5 mm;
- The frame is secured by several rods on each side;
- The penetration depth of reinforcement sections in the wall must be at least 10 mm.
These recommendations allow you to weld a metal grate with your own hands, if you have everything you need. However, it should be stated that sliding structures are quite a vulnerable point in the protective system of the first floors. And it’s not so much the padlock as the unreliable fastening of the entire system. Rollers or canopies cannot guarantee safety, since the guides are easily opened. This design is only good against attempts at cutting or hitting.
Based on fire safety requirements, at least one of the grilles installed on the windows must be sliding
Structural and inter-glass spacers
The frame is an element of the window frame; its main task is to divide the area in such a way that the result is separate segments of glass. In the past, when frames were made exclusively of wood, this was necessary. Additional strips strengthened the structure and provided rigidity. Due to the load, the glass was installed in separate pieces.
Plastic frames do not require additional reinforcement, so structural dividers are not used during installation. Most often, such elements can be seen in wooden frames, door blocks, panoramic facades, that is, products that require increased glazing area. The strength and reliability of the frame depends on the number of crossbars.
Constructive sprocket bars have disadvantages, they are expressed in the following:
- the price of finished frames increases, the cost is affected by a large amount of consumables and a complex technological process;
- cannot be used for glazing balconies and loggias, since the window frame adds weight many times over;
- there is a high risk that the double-glazed window will lose its seal in the places where the parts are connected;
- The thermal insulation indicator decreases due to heat leakage at the junction of the separating elements.
In addition, window frames with grooves must be made by craftsmen with a high level of qualifications, and manufacturers often neglect these requirements. Often clients are faced with defects and poor-quality installation.
Imitation shross is often installed on plastic structures. Decorative strips are glued inside the frame.
If internal installation is intended, then elements made of plastic or aluminum are mounted. But metal layouts affect the technical characteristics of double-glazed windows, since heat is lost due to the built-in strips.
Metal dividers are recommended for installation in regions with warm climatic conditions. And also for interior options, non-residential buildings, where heat loss will not be critical for people.
Folding grill designs
They are a fairly popular option in the construction market. The basis of such gratings is the connection of lightweight steel rods through hinges. Changing the angle between the reinforcement elements makes it easy to fold/unfold the lattice structure. Fixation is carried out on gutters, which are fixed: at the top - under the ceiling of the window opening, at the bottom - on the window sill. This design is extremely simple and easy to use. It is often used as an additional means of protection from inside windows, since a criminal can easily bite through the mounting hinges. In connection with the last factor, various designs of metal-plastic windows with additional protection inside have recently begun to appear. The emphasis is on the quality of the rod grille installed on a steel frame, as well as the use of reliable fittings that prevent the possibility of breaking into the window. These models of protective structures are painted to match the plastic windows (usually white) and look great from the outside.
Residents of houses, first of all, must decide what is more important to them - safety or the appearance of the structure. Because in the first case, the most reliable will be a stationary grille design (which is not recommended due to non-compliance with fire safety rules), and in the second - various variations of decorative products. A compromise solution could be the use of swing or folding models. In particular, the latter began to be produced complete with plastic windows.
