Criteria for choosing window grilles: 45 original solutions
Bars on windows are often installed by the owners of apartments located on the ground floors, as well as by residents of the private sector. In addition, the designs are very popular with summer residents, since in the winter their houses are left unattended and become easy prey for thieves. Today, in the review of the homemaster.techinfolux.com/en/ editorial staff, we will tell you about all types of similar products, what materials they are made of, and also about the installation features.
The content of the article
- 1 Lattices on windows: requirements and tasks
- 2 What materials are window grates made of
- 3 Classification of grilles for windows by manufacturing method
- 4 Types of window grill designs
- 5 Features of the choice of window grilles
- 6 The nuances of installing window grilles
- 7 Conclusion
- 8 Video: a selection of interesting window grilles
Lattices on windows: requirements and tasks
Protection of residents from unauthorized entry of uninvited guests is the main task of the products. In addition, they should also perform a decorative function, since the owners want their houses to look beautiful and well-groomed, not only from the inside, but also from the outside.
The grilles can be either forged with elaborate elements, or almost invisible from polycarbonate. The price of the finished structure directly depends on the material, design and complexity of the work.
Today, the authorities have lifted the bans on the installation of grilles on the windows of residential apartments, however, in private recommendations they still advise making one swing or removable sash, while the key must be nearby. This will help you quickly react in case of unforeseen situations.
Advice! Since uninvited guests can be not only adults, but also adolescents, whose fragile physique allows you to penetrate through a narrow opening, the recommended pitch of the rods should be no more than 15 cm × 15 cm.
Based on the above, we can summarize that the grilles on the windows must meet the following requirements:
- strength and durability;
- reliability and durability;
- installations in accordance with regulatory documents.
What materials are window grates made of
Grilles for windows are made from different materials, each of which has its own pros and cons. Let's consider them in more detail.
Metal
Usually the following types of metal are used for gratings:
- steel, it lends itself well to forging, but not strong enough. Rods 1.5 cm thick can be easily cut with a special tool. A product made of rods with a thickness of 2 cm will be more reliable, however, such elements look cumbersome;
- reinforcing bars, elements with a thickness of 1.4 cm are similar to ordinary metal with a cross section of 2.0 cm, they can only be cut by hydraulic shears. The only drawback of such products is that graceful curls cannot be made of them. The lattice will have clear shapes;
- special steel Is the most reliable material. It is possible to make the thinnest rods from it, which are not inferior in strength to reinforcing steel. In order to crack such a grating, intruders will need a plasma cutter.
Irregular grilles look great on the windows, their openwork patterns sometimes mislead burglars. It seems to them that it is rather difficult to break such a "broom". This design should only be ordered from an experienced specialist. He will be able to correctly calculate the sketch and make a stable lattice.
Types of profiles used for the manufacture of gratings
The following types of profiles are used for gratings.
Polycarbonate
Metal grilles are cumbersome, and not every owner can order ornate designer forging. This is where polycarbonate plastic slats come to the rescue. These are lightweight products that provide a sufficient degree of protection for the home without disturbing the exterior of the building.
Polycarbonate gratings look aesthetically pleasing and elegant, they differ from metal in configuration, the material does not interfere with the passage of ultraviolet rays and the view from the window.
The main advantages of polycarbonate grilles are:
- high strength;
- resistance to mechanical stress;
- impact resistance;
- durability;
- resistance to weather factors.
Advice! It is advisable not to install polycarbonate on windows that face the south side due to the constant exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
The standard width of the polycarbonate strip is 6 mm, which is enough to provide protection not only from burglary, but also from falling pets or children. Even cleaning a window at a height with this design is much easier. The maximum load reaches up to 500 kg.
Wood
There are more than enough advantages of wooden lattices, let's highlight the main ones:
- decent appearance;
- the ability to paint the structure in any tone, this is a significant plus, especially for private and country houses;
- the ability to give the design any shape;
- the possibility of making a grid with your own hands.
Of the features of the tree, only the need for periodic protective surface treatment should be noted. A properly made grille will last for decades.
Classification of grilles for windows by manufacturing method
Lattices are classified according to the manufacturing method, the strength and durability of the structure depends on it.
Forged and welded
Recently, forged products have become very popular; they are most often custom-made for installation in private houses and apartments located on the lower floors.
The gratings are made from ductile structural steel by cold forging. It should be noted that they have low strength, so if the issue of protection comes first, it is better to give preference to another material.
Forged structures are divided into the following types:
- regular, for their manufacture, a round or square rod with a side of about 20 mm is used. They have excellent durability, but one significant drawback should be noted - a rough appearance;
- irregular designs they look elegant and aesthetically pleasing, the openwork patterns will scare off the burglar, he will not dare to break such a bundle;
- mixed type - austere classic design has florid elements and some artistic clutter. Opening such a design for a burglar does not provide any difficulty.
The welded grating is made of high strength reinforcing steel. It is not as flexible and plastic as the structural one, therefore the products have a more strict, conservative shape. Scraps of material in the form of curls act as small curly accents. A skilled craftsman can make an elegant openwork composition out of them.
The scale on the welded seams is removed with the help of a grinder, on which a grinding wheel is placed. After that, the decorative grille is painted. You can make such a structure at home with your own hands, if you have a semiautomatic device for welding. Moreover, it is not necessary to use reinforcing steel; a special steel rod with a section of 6 mm will do. High-strength material can be bent over a large radius.
Advantages of welded structures:
- low cost;
- simple manufacturing technology, respectively, high production speed;
- high strength.
Of the shortcomings, only a less beautiful appearance can be distinguished than that of forged elements.
Cast
Many owners of private houses assume that the strength of cast grilles is comparable to forged ones and are analogous to car rims. However, this opinion is wrong. It is much lower. For opening, it is enough for a burglar to have a crowbar or a crowbar.
The advantages of the products include a beautiful appearance. Manufacturers can pour any patterns at the request of the customer. Most often, such grilles are installed in offices located on busy streets. An alarm is often connected to them.
Types of window grill designs
Grilles on windows can be installed both from the inside of the house and from the outside. The right choice will help not only protect your home from unauthorized guests, but also decorate it.
Removable and non-removable
Removable grilles are installed in the window opening using through bolts, their optimal number is 8 pieces. Often they are chosen by the owners of houses made of wood with thin walls, into which it is not possible to drive more reliable fasteners. If necessary, the structure can always be removed, while the facade of the building is not damaged.
Fixed or stationary gratings are fixed to the wall with anchors. This is the most reliable model of protection against intruders. It will take up to 3 minutes for the Ministry of Emergency Situations to open it, but in case of emergencies, for example, fires, this duration can be fatal for the residents of the house.
Swing and sliding
Hinged door designs are very similar to antique shutters. The cost of such grilles is twice as high as stationary ones, but they are more convenient. The canvases are installed on a common steel frame and are closed with locking and swinging devices. A burglar cannot open them, but for the specialized services of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, even one minute will be enough.
Everyone is used to seeing sliding grilles in small shopping centers, but not in private houses, especially since their reliability is low. They are made of metal strips, fastened to each other in a criss-cross manner, for an attacker to open the system will not be difficult. However, this is a good and inexpensive option for country houses that are left unattended for the winter. It is not thieves who cause harm there, but homeless people who have nowhere to spend the night. They are unlikely to open the grate.
Sliding grilles can be attached both from the inside of the house and from the outside. The canvases are closed with a secret lock, which is installed inside the side parts of the frame. This type of structure can be opened immediately, so it will not become an obstacle to exit in case of emergencies.
Roller shutters
Roller shutters consist of a box with guides, to which the canvas is attached. The design completely closes the window opening, while access is limited not only to thieves, but also to light and drafts.
Roller shutters are divided into the following types:
- steel - they are most often used in shopping centers. This is a reliable protection against uninvited guests;
- aluminum, their main advantage is ease of management. Even a child can raise and lower the system, while the sound insulation of the structure is quite good;
- roller shutters - they are used in stores to protect goods. These are transparent structures through which the entire contents of the pavilion can be seen.
Features of the choice of window grilles
Consumers are faced with a difficult choice of the correct design of window grates. All criteria must be considered. It is also important to contact a trusted manufacturer. We've compiled basic expert tips to help you find the right product.
Burglary resistance
If burglary resistance is a priority when choosing a window grill, experts advise the following:
- install welded structures. They are cheaper than forged, but not inferior to them in strength;
- more reliable gratings made of a rod with a cross section of 16 mm;
- removable structures are bolted from the outside of the window and can be dismantled, and stationary ones are mounted in the window opening. They cannot be removed.
Another selection criterion is the location of the grille attachment:
- outward - the structure is mounted on the outside of the building on a window block or on a wall;
- internal - installation is carried out between frames or in front of a window block, provided that it opens outwards.
For decorative qualities
For decorative qualities, pay attention to the following designs:
- forged - these are one of the most expensive, but also beautiful products, they harmoniously fit into the architectural design of the building and become its real decoration;
- for upper floors polycarbonate grilles - this is a real find, they do not spoil the appearance of the house and do not interfere with the passage of the solar stream, but, at the same time, they are reliable protection;
- decorative framing of windows, especially wooden houses decorated in the Russian style, are wood grates.
The nuances of installing window grilles
Installation of grilles can be done in different ways and depends on the material of construction. Most often these are anchors or metal "ears" hammered into the wall.
Outdoor and indoor installation
If installation is carried out in a window opening or in concrete, metal pins are pre-hammered into them. A grating is welded to their ends, which protrude a few sentiments above the slopes. For a wooden surface, the setting is slightly different:
- Eyelets are attached to the frames.
- Screws are screwed through their holes. They will hold the bars.
Installation of a lattice in a house made of laminated veneer lumber is carried out overlay, pre-drilled holes in the wall for self-tapping screws.
Installation can be performed both outside the building and indoors.The second option is more reliable, since access to the grill occurs only after the intruder breaks the glass. In order for the structure to hold firmly, it is necessary to use high-quality embedded parts:
- paws - they are made from strips of metal with a size of 40 mm × 4 mm;
- anchor, made from a rod with a thickness of 12 mm. They are installed in the wall at a distance of 15 cm to 25 cm. Longer mortgages can only be used during construction, they should be welded to the wall frame made of reinforced concrete.
It is important! The most important thing in attaching the grilles is their reliability. For window structures of standard sizes, a certain amount of fasteners should be installed: from the bottom and from the top - 1-2 elements each, on the sides - 2 times more. There should be at least 8 pieces of mortgages in total, the distance between them is about 70 cm.
Installation between window openings
The third installation option is between the glasses, it is rarely used. It is first necessary to weld steel strips with drilled holes for fasteners to the metal. They are attached to the window opening using powerful anchors of a suitable section; it is rather problematic to pull them out of the wall.
Conclusion
In order to completely protect yourself from unauthorized entry of uninvited guests, you need to carefully prepare. If you are planning to buy a finished product, you need to contact trusted companies with good reviews. With an individual design, it is important to choose not only the drawing, but also the steel of the required section. This decorative pattern should prevent external penetration.
Let us know in the comments what protection you have chosen for your home and why. What was the purchase priority?