How to burglar-proof your windows

Home security

Back garden during the day with shed, fence, bench and table

May 28 2025

The majority of burglars are opportunistic and won't go to considerable measures to enter a home. They tend to leverage situations where it will be simple and easy to enter (and exit) to get the job done quickly; windows are a prime example of this.

Burglar-proofing your windows is an important step in home security, being one of the most common entry points for intruders. Securing them helps protect your home, valuables and loved ones from break-ins.

Enhanced window security can provide peace of mind, so if you want to efficiently protect your home, the experts at ADT are ready to help. Find out how to burglar-proof your windows and explore our home security solutions.

Window bars

nstalling bars on the outside of windows is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to make a window burglar-proof. These bars prevent potential burglars from getting to the window to smash the glass or force it open. Even if they manage to open a window, the bars make it very difficult to enter.

Whilst they are effective, window bars can have a significant effect on a home’s aesthetic.

Privacy film

If bars aren’t an option for you (for aesthetic reasons or otherwise), privacy film can help by obscuring the view into your home and make it harder for burglars to scout valuables inside. Another great thing about privacy film is that it does this without removing any natural light, so your home won’t feel dark or dim.

Stops for sash windows

If you have sash windows and don’t want your security measures to remove the ability to ventilate your home, stops are a good option. They function by preventing the window from opening all the way, making the gap too small to gain access through them. Stops also enable you to ventilate your home while keeping the gap too small to climb through, and are discreet enough that they don’t significantly alter the look of sash windows.

Motion sensor lights

Motion sensor lights are a great deterrent for opportunistic burglars. Thieves tend to target homes with little visibility so that people in the area can't see them, so a well-lit home reduces the likelihood that burglars will view it as a prime target. Any movement will scare off thieves and alert you that they’re there.

Make sure your lights are at least ten feet above the ground so that intruders can’t get to them and turn them off.

Cameras

Like motion sensor lights, security cameras work well to deter potential burglars from even trying to enter your home. Our team of experts are on-hand with a range of security system options that can be tailored to your personal needs.

Shock sensors

Installing shock sensors, also known as window alarms, is another great way to burglar-proof them. They are activated by a vibration of the window being opened (or smashed) and make a loud sound to alert you or others. A loud alarm can certainly dissuade a burglar from trying to enter your home and halt them in their tracks.

Our shock sensors can be purchased as part of an alarm system; ideal if you want an extra layer of security for your home.

If you’d like to learn more about burglar activity near you, check out our Crime in my Area tool for up-to-date crime rates and statistics. You can also explore the UK’s safest locations in our detailed guide.

Motion sensor FAQs

Why do burglars break in at night?

Burglars often strike at night because the darkness provides cover and makes it easier to move around undetected. The risk of this is reduced by measures such as motion sensor lights.

Which windows are most likely to be broken into?

Ground-floor windows are often the most targeted in a home, given that they’re easier to reach compared to first-floor windows. As a result, these should be the priority when installing protective measures to burglar-proof them.