Hello,
we are currently looking into the windows for our planned house. The police recommend installing RC2-rated windows for security, but these seem to be quite expensive. Have you installed such windows, and what additional costs should one expect for a window or patio door? For example, if only the patio door is made with RC2 security, will the glass panes look different compared to the other windows? How did you handle this?
Best regards
Sabine
we are currently looking into the windows for our planned house. The police recommend installing RC2-rated windows for security, but these seem to be quite expensive. Have you installed such windows, and what additional costs should one expect for a window or patio door? For example, if only the patio door is made with RC2 security, will the glass panes look different compared to the other windows? How did you handle this?
Best regards
Sabine
We have just ordered windows and chose RC2N security class for all easily accessible locations from the outside. One side terrace door measuring 1010x2250mm (40x89 inches) is located in a fairly dark, secluded corner, so we additionally selected burglary-resistant glazing P4A for it (which I believe corresponds to RC2). The extra cost for this glazing was nearly €200.
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Dark_Templar25 Jul 2018 22:54For me, everything that can be reached without a ladder will be RC3.
Just my personal opinion:
You can get security for less money as well. We are building 30km (about 19 miles) from the nearest big city. Break-ins are rare here.
For me, RC2N resistance combined with an Arlo Pro camera system at critical points like the front door, patio doors, and basement, along with a motion sensor and lighting control in the basement, is enough.
What good does it do if burglars need 30 seconds longer to pry open the windows? None!
At my in-laws’ house, burglars entered through the basement window wells while they were sleeping upstairs. The tools used were bolt cutters for the bars and a crowbar for the basement window. The burglars walked right out the front door after ransacking the ground floor.
Anyone who thinks that windows are smashed during the night these days is in for a rude awakening.
You can get security for less money as well. We are building 30km (about 19 miles) from the nearest big city. Break-ins are rare here.
For me, RC2N resistance combined with an Arlo Pro camera system at critical points like the front door, patio doors, and basement, along with a motion sensor and lighting control in the basement, is enough.
What good does it do if burglars need 30 seconds longer to pry open the windows? None!
At my in-laws’ house, burglars entered through the basement window wells while they were sleeping upstairs. The tools used were bolt cutters for the bars and a crowbar for the basement window. The burglars walked right out the front door after ransacking the ground floor.
Anyone who thinks that windows are smashed during the night these days is in for a rude awakening.
This is fairly simple... You do what works.
Assuming that RC2N will keep you safe forever is just naive. Once most houses are equipped with RC2N, burglars will just bring a glass hole cutter instead of a crowbar and quietly drill through the glass. No smashing needed. When everyone has RC2, they’ll move on to using torches and circular cutters. And so on.
The only thing you can do is create as much difference as possible between your own security measures and the usual standard, to become unattractive to the average burglar. Security has always been and will always be an arms race—whoever stays ahead wins.
And what good does a video system do then? You just get a nice picture of the offender, and then what? Such footage is useless for investigations, and it doesn’t bring back the lost feeling of security.
Just as a side note:
Here (25km (15.5 miles) from the nearest big city), multiple windows have been simply smashed in recent months, and then the (lockable!) bolt was opened from the inside with a pipe extension. That wouldn’t have been so easy with RC2, since those windows are laminated. The police detective was “shocked that nobody heard the glass breaking”… but I’m not surprised at all nowadays. They hear it for sure, but nothing gets done.
Assuming that RC2N will keep you safe forever is just naive. Once most houses are equipped with RC2N, burglars will just bring a glass hole cutter instead of a crowbar and quietly drill through the glass. No smashing needed. When everyone has RC2, they’ll move on to using torches and circular cutters. And so on.
The only thing you can do is create as much difference as possible between your own security measures and the usual standard, to become unattractive to the average burglar. Security has always been and will always be an arms race—whoever stays ahead wins.
And what good does a video system do then? You just get a nice picture of the offender, and then what? Such footage is useless for investigations, and it doesn’t bring back the lost feeling of security.
Just as a side note:
Here (25km (15.5 miles) from the nearest big city), multiple windows have been simply smashed in recent months, and then the (lockable!) bolt was opened from the inside with a pipe extension. That wouldn’t have been so easy with RC2, since those windows are laminated. The police detective was “shocked that nobody heard the glass breaking”… but I’m not surprised at all nowadays. They hear it for sure, but nothing gets done.
EinMarc schrieb:
And what’s the point of the video system then? You get a clear image of the intruder, so what? Such footage is useless for investigations, and it doesn’t restore the lost sense of security.It’s not about the video or photo itself, but rather that you immediately receive a push notification along with the live feed on your smartphone as soon as the camera’s motion sensors are triggered. With a smartwatch on your wrist, this type of monitoring is unbeatable and relatively affordable.
This way, you have enough time to call the police and/or lock yourself inside. If an intrusion occurs at night or during the day when you’re not home, an alarm is even triggered via the bridge.
Have you looked into the system yet?
A basic camera setup like the one you describe isn’t useful and just a waste of money.
As mentioned before, it’s the combination that counts. RC2 windows alone aren’t a cure-all, especially if you are away on vacation for two weeks.
Oh, regarding motion detection. Well, I’ve already dealt with that, but outdoors it’s quite a challenge to achieve reliable results with few false alarms. In my experience, you can’t do without it entirely—there’s always something triggering it. I ended up uninstalling it outside.
Also, “immediate” depends on the provider and the device’s online status. I sometimes experience significant delays, depending on where I am. I mainly use it as an improved motion sensor for the workshop, so I get notified if I accidentally trap the polisher (the neighbor’s cat). Thanks to their fur insulation, they’re not always easy to detect with regular infrared motion sensors.
If you want technological burglary protection, I would actually recommend conventional glass break and frame sensors. These can then be reliably connected directly to the police without risking false alarms and associated costs. Thanks to modern versions, they’re practically invisible nowadays. However, this is more suitable for new builds; retrofitting requires extra effort to keep them hidden.
Also, “immediate” depends on the provider and the device’s online status. I sometimes experience significant delays, depending on where I am. I mainly use it as an improved motion sensor for the workshop, so I get notified if I accidentally trap the polisher (the neighbor’s cat). Thanks to their fur insulation, they’re not always easy to detect with regular infrared motion sensors.
If you want technological burglary protection, I would actually recommend conventional glass break and frame sensors. These can then be reliably connected directly to the police without risking false alarms and associated costs. Thanks to modern versions, they’re practically invisible nowadays. However, this is more suitable for new builds; retrofitting requires extra effort to keep them hidden.
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