Keeping your home and your family safe takes top priority, and you should do whatever it takes to do so. The locks on your replacement windows in your Wheat Ridge, CO home may not be the biggest part of your home security system, but they are an important one. Do you know why they are so important, how to find good ones, or how to install them? Read this article and you will.
Why Are Window Locks Important?
Window locks might seem trivial. After all, if an intruder wanted to get in, couldn’t he just break the window or use the door? Surprisingly no. Any intruder wants to get in and out of a home without being detected. Breaking window glass is an easy way to draw attention. The same goes for walking up to the door and breaking in. The majority of intruders will want to enter the home from a secluded, less visible side window. If the window has a bad lock, the intruder will have a great night.
Window locks are important because they might deter an intruder completely, or at least delay him until someone calls the police, or until the police arrive. Your goal is to make it as hard as possible for someone to break into your home, so even if that weren’t true, a window lock would still help.
Do All Rooms Need Window Locks?
All the windows in your house don’t need locks, but it couldn’t hurt. The windows that really matter are the ones that can be easily accessed from the outside like those on the first floor, or those by a trellis, roof ledge, or even wall. Don’t forget about your basement windows.
If you want to be doubly sure your windows are secure, put a lock on every window that a person could fit through. This can also be helpful if you have children in the house, as you don’t want your child falling from an open window that’s not locked.
Know Lock Ratings
Once you know how many locks you need, you need to make sure you buy quality locks. The American National Standard Institute has a system for grading locks to help consumers choose the best ones for their homes. Grade 1 is the highest ranking for residential locks. These locks are very difficult to break into and safest for your family, but are also the most expensive. Grade 2 is intermediate locks. These locks are the most common as they are safe but aren’t as expensive as grade 1 locks. Grade 3 is made up of basic locks. A Grade 3 lock is a good option for use in conjunction with locks in grades 1 and 2.
Don’t forget that your locks need to be installed properly. Wheat Ridge, CO replacement window experts like United Windows & Siding can help. You can visit us at 12090 W 50th Pl Unit B Wheat Ridge, CO 80033, or give us a call at 720-535-4767.
