Safety First: Window Covering Options for Security & Privacy

You can visualize your front door lock, right? What about the locks on your windows?

The truth is, we usually take the time to make sure we lock our doors and turn off our lights at night and when we leave the house, but we often neglect our windows and confuse privacy and safety with one another.

It happens to the best of us. In fact, after all of the planning that a move entails, checking items off of the to-do list, and paying fees, my husband and I still forgot about our windows when we moved into our new home.

Because of our forgetfulness, we had to hobble and grumble our sleep-deprived selves to the store for window coverings after realizing that the ten window panes along our front door gave a clear and unfiltered view straight into our home.

Luckily, there are a variety of ways to keep your home safe, your business private, and your windows as useful as they are pretty.

Continue reading for more information on security and privacy ideas for your windows.

Window Covering Options for Security

1. Window locks

Has anyone confirmed that Freddy Krueger and It can bypass locks? Maybe they can. I’m sure only supernatural mechanisms can keep them out, but when we’re talking about humans, window locks are great for protecting yourself.

As it turns out, many home break-ins don’t involve smashed windows. Instead, burglars go for the easier option, which is often an unlocked window. To prevent a break-in, a window lock that will work in tandem with the type of window you have is key. There are many options to choose from, ranging from window pin locks, folding latches, swivel-action locks, and child-safety locks.

2. Window security bars

Depending on your budget, window security bars may be on the costlier side, but they’re a great security option to keep in mind. With window security bars, you can rest assured that an intruder can’t shimmy their way into your house via your windows.

Keep in mind, though, that while window bars are great for security, they aren’t the prettiest addition to a house. Installing them on lower- or main-level windows may be the best option if you want to maintain the aesthetic integrity of your home.

3. Reinforced glass windows

Reinforced glass can protect your home and your most prized possessions from burglars as well as from storm damage. In fact, a type of reinforced glass—laminated glass—shields the Mona Lisa in the Louvre Museum.

Similar to laminated glass is another kind of reinforced glass called tempered glass. This type of glass is required for residential construction, so if you’re replacing an old window, be sure you’re getting tempered glass panes.

Regardless of the option you choose, both laminated and tempered glass are hard to destroy. It would take lots of power and time, and an intruder would make a lot of noise trying to bypass the security feature.

Laminated and tempered glass products are strong and durable; either one is a good choice if you don’t want to worry about negatively impacting your home’s aesthetics.

Window Covering Options for Privacy

1. Frosted windows

There’s nothing like thinking no one can see you lounging in your living room sporting mismatched pajamas and disheveled hair only to realize that they can.

Frosted window coverings are great for freeing yourself from the anxiety of those unguarded moments, and they’re also stylish alternatives to bulky blinds and window shades.

If you’d rather not expose yourself to spray paint fumes or spend the money it costs to frost your own glass, there are plain and decorative window film and decal options that will give you the frosted look you desire for privacy. What’s better is that window films are inexpensive solutions that you can take down and replace whenever you want.

2. Window screens

Window screens for privacy are also an option. If you’d like a variety of ways to achieve a look, you can use different kinds of material, such as vinyl-coated fiberglass, sheer fabric, or muslin.

Window screens for privacy are also a win for your home if you’re into DIY projects. Most people want to make their home feel like it has its own character, and if that’s the case for you, all you have to do is go to your local craft and fabric store and allow your imagination to take over.

For this DIY project, you’ll need a few extra supplies to achieve the window privacy screen look you want, but you’ll find that the small amount of work is worth it.

3. Privacy curtains

The name speaks for itself. Not only will these curtains give you the privacy you desire, they can also block out noise and double as blackout curtains ensuring that your mid-day nap is uninterrupted by sunlight and outside noise.

Privacy curtains are an accessible triple threat as you can purchase them at almost any store, both on- and off-line. Because of this, you’ll have no problem finding a perfect curtain for your bedroom and other spaces within your home.

Bottom Line

Keeping your home safe and your space private is essential. Door locks, alarm systems, barking dogs, and signs are great and often necessary, but there’s no harm in doing a little more. In this case, more includes making sure your windows are utilized to the best of their ability so that you have comfort and faith in your security.

Implementing window security and privacy doesn’t have to take a lot of time, and there are options for almost any budget. Stick to the product and budget you’re most comfortable with, and rest assured that when you’re home, you are safe and sound.