# Window security > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Window_security > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Window_security.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_security > Source revision: 1314581423 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Physical security}} [[File:Villa Capponi - South Facade - Barred Window.jpg|thumb|Barred window of [Villa Capponi](/source/Villa_Capponi), in [Florence](/source/Florence)]] The term '''window security''' may refer to any of a range of measures used to avoid unauthorized access through [window](/source/window)s, and prevent crimes such as [burglary](/source/burglary) and [home invasions](/source/home_invasions). Window security is used in commercial and government buildings, as well as in residential settings. == History == In ancient Greek and Roman houses, grilles were rarely used and had simple designs, rectangular or diamond-shaped, as shown in 1st and 2nd-century [wall painting](/source/wall_painting)s. In medieval times some castles, prisons and convents were protected by rudimentary iron grilles. From the 11th century to 15th, in France, Spain, Germany and Italy, the blacksmiths started to take care of the beauty of their products, so the grilles started to be characterized by iron and bronze decorative motifs. While French blacksmiths approached the highest perfection in the execution of [Gothic](/source/Gothic_architecture) and [Baroque](/source/Baroque) grilles, Italian ones maintained the sobriety of design. After attempts to imitate stylistically these grilles in the 19th century, the simplicity of design has taken over, and particular importance is given to the materials and the execution. Openable bars have been introduced to the market.{{treccani|http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/inferriata_(Enciclopedia-Italiana)/|Inferriata|Vittorio Morpurgo||1933}} During the middle of the 1800s in the United Kingdom, glass started to be used in the ordinary shops, but wooden shutters were retained to protect the goods exposed. At about this time, metal grilles started to be used at night to allow passersby to view the goods on display. Metal roller shutters were introduced in the late 1970s and early 1980s as a response to street riots throughout the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom), but now there are alternative solutions for the security of shops.{{cite web|url=https://thecrimepreventionwebsite.com/door-security-window-security-glazing-grilles-and-shutters/482/security-shutters-grilles-and-door-gates/|title=History and development of shutters and grilles|website=The Crime Prevention website|access-date=11 February 2020}} == Security devices == [[File:Bulletproof glass window after a burglary attempt.jpg|thumb|[Bulletproof glass](/source/Bulletproof_glass) window after a burglary attempt]] === Physical barriers === Possible physical barriers are: * Window with security features, such as: ** [Security glass](/source/Safety_glass) ** Window [lock](/source/lock_(security_device)) * [Grille](/source/Grille_(architecture)) * [Window shutter](/source/Window_shutter) ([roller shutter](/source/roller_shutter), [louver](/source/louver), etc.) ==== European certifications ==== According to the [European](/source/European_Union) standards ([EN](/source/List_of_EN_standards) 1627, [EN](/source/List_of_EN_standards) 1628, [EN](/source/List_of_EN_standards) 1629 and [EN](/source/List_of_EN_standards) 1630), the [resistance](/source/Burglar_resistance) of a closing system can be classified into six levels, for which it has to be tested in standardized modalities.{{cite web|url=http://www.metra.it/building/EN/security-burglar-resistance-582.aspx|title=Security - Burglar resistance|website=Metra|access-date=11 February 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.claudio-ballicu.it/porte%20blindate/porte%20blindate.htm|title=Porte blindate, cancelli e inferriate|author=Claudio Ballicu|language=Italian|access-date=11 February 2020}} {| {{Table}} ! Class !! Tools and perpetrator profile !! Time |- |1 |Occasional [burglar](/source/burglar) with physical violence |N/A |- |2 |Occasional [burglar](/source/burglar) with simple tools such as [screwdrivers](/source/screwdrivers), [pliers](/source/pliers), [wedges](/source/wedges) |3 minutes |- |3 |Occasional or experienced [burglar](/source/burglar) with additional lever tool, such as [crowbar](/source/crowbar_(tool))s |5 minutes |- |4 |Experienced [burglar](/source/burglar) with cutting and hammering tool |10 minutes |- |5 |Experienced burglar with electrical equipment |15 minutes |- |6 |Experienced burglar with large-size electrical equipment |20 minutes |} === Intrusion detection and surveillance === * Wired or [wireless](/source/wireless) [security alarm](/source/security_alarm) can be designed to warn intrusions through windows, using sensors like [glass break detector](/source/glass_break_detector)s and contact magnetic sensors{{cite web|url=https://thecrimepreventionwebsite.com/gardens-access-lighting-alarms-and-cctv/501/burglar-alarms-advice/|title=Burglar alarm advice|website=The Crime Prevention website|access-date=11 February 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.protectamerica.com/home-security-blog/tech-tips/window-sensors-vs-glass-break-sensors-pros-and-cons_20858|title=Window Sensors vs. Glass Break Sensors: Pros and Cons|website=Protectamerica|access-date=11 February 2020}} * [Security lighting](/source/Security_lighting) (including those systems with automatic [light switch](/source/light_switch) and [timer](/source/timer)s) is useful to make evident an attempt of unauthorized access{{cite web|url=https://thecrimepreventionwebsite.com/gardens-access-lighting-alarms-and-cctv/495/security-lighting/|title=Security lighting|website=The Crime Prevention website|access-date=11 February 2020}} * [Video surveillance](/source/Video_surveillance) is today able to send alarm signals from the system on electronic devices{{cite web|url=https://thecrimepreventionwebsite.com/gardens-access-lighting-alarms-and-cctv/502/cctv-closed-circuit-television/|title=CCTV (Closed Circuit Television)|website=The Crime Prevention website|access-date=11 February 2020}} == Disadvantages == Window locks may be difficult to use for elderly or disabled people, but easier to use locks have become available. In addition, during a fire or a similar emergency situation in which it is necessary to escape, lockable windows, window shutters or grilles (especially fixed ones) may become dangerous obstacles, so it is necessary to ensure that the keys are as close to the windows as is practical or, if a window is an important emergency exit, that it can be opened from the inside without the use of a key.{{cite web|url=https://thecrimepreventionwebsite.com/door-security-window-security-glazing-grilles-and-shutters/478/window-security/|title=Window security|website=The Crime Prevention website|access-date=11 February 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://thecrimepreventionwebsite.com/door-security-window-security-glazing-grilles-and-shutters/482/security-shutters-grilles-and-door-gates//|title=Security shutters, grilles and door gates|website=The Crime Prevention website|access-date=11 February 2020}} == See also == * [Door security](/source/Door_security) == Sources == {{Locksmithing}} Category:Burglary Security Category:Perimeter security Category:Physical security --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Window security](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_security) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_security?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.