Window security features are an essential consideration for every Minnesota homeowner planning a window replacement project. While energy efficiency and aesthetics often dominate the conversation, the security of your windows plays a critical role in protecting your family and property. At Weatherguard Construction, we have helped homeowners across Stillwater, Woodbury, Minneapolis, and the Twin Cities metro enhance both the performance and security of their homes for over 25 years.
Why Window Security Matters
Windows are one of the most common entry points for home break-ins. According to FBI crime statistics, approximately 23 percent of burglars enter through a first-floor window. In Minnesota, the risk increases during summer months when windows may be left open for ventilation and during winter vacation periods when homes may be unoccupied. Modern replacement windows offer significant security improvements over older windows, making a window replacement project an excellent opportunity to upgrade your home's defenses.
Multi-Point Locking Systems
The single most important security feature in modern windows is the multi-point locking system. Unlike older windows that relied on a single latch or cam lock, today's premium windows feature multiple locking points along the sash perimeter.
How they work: When you engage the lock, pins or hooks extend into keeper hardware mounted in the frame at two, three, or more points. This distributes the force required to breach the window across multiple locations rather than concentrating it at a single latch.
Which windows have them: Casement and awning windows from Pella, Marvin, Kolbe, and Andersen all feature multi-point locking as standard. Many premium double-hung windows now include dual cam locks or multi-point systems as well. Weatherguard Construction ensures that every window we install includes the manufacturer's best available locking hardware.
Laminated Glass
Laminated glass is one of the most effective security upgrades available for residential windows. Similar to automotive windshield glass, laminated glass consists of two panes of glass bonded to an inner layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA).
Security benefit: When struck, laminated glass may crack but the interlayer holds the glass in place, preventing the window from shattering into an opening large enough for entry. An intruder would need to spend significant time and effort breaking through the laminate, making forced entry much more difficult and conspicuous.
Additional benefits: Laminated glass also provides superior sound reduction and blocks 99 percent of UV radiation, making it an excellent choice for homes near busy roads in Eagan, Bloomington, and along major highways.
Tempered Glass
Tempered glass is heat-treated to be four to five times stronger than standard annealed glass. While tempered glass is primarily a safety feature rather than a security feature, because it breaks into small, relatively harmless pieces rather than dangerous shards, its increased strength does provide moderate resistance to forced entry.
Building codes require tempered glass in certain locations including windows near doors, windows in bathrooms, and windows close to floor level. During your full frame window replacement, Weatherguard Construction ensures all code-required locations receive tempered glass.
Window Sensors and Smart Home Integration
Modern window security extends beyond the physical window itself. Window sensors are an increasingly popular addition during replacement projects.
Contact sensors detect when a window is opened and can trigger your home security system. These small, wireless devices mount on the window sash and frame, and they integrate with most major home security platforms.
Glass break sensors detect the specific frequency of breaking glass and trigger an alarm even if the window is not opened. These provide protection against smash-and-grab entry attempts.
Smart locks are beginning to appear on residential windows, allowing you to lock and unlock windows remotely via smartphone and receive notifications if a window is left unlocked.
Reinforced Frame Materials
The frame material itself contributes significantly to window security:
- Wood frames with aluminum cladding from Pella, Marvin, Kolbe, and Andersen provide excellent structural strength and resistance to forced entry
- Fiberglass frames offer exceptional rigidity and cannot be pried or bent as easily as vinyl
- Vinyl frames are the least rigid option but modern vinyl windows with steel reinforcement and multi-chamber profiles provide reasonable security
Weatherguard Construction recommends wood-clad or fiberglass frames for homeowners who prioritize security alongside energy efficiency and aesthetics.
Window Style and Security
Some window styles are inherently more secure than others:
Most secure: Casement and awning windows with hook-bolt multi-point locks are the most secure operable window styles. The compression seal and hook-bolt mechanism make them extremely difficult to force open from outside.
Moderate security: Double-hung windows with dual cam locks or multi-point systems provide good security. Older-style single cam locks are significantly less secure and should be upgraded during replacement.
Fixed windows: Non-operable picture windows and fixed glass units offer excellent security since they have no moving parts or locks to defeat. An intruder would need to break through the glass itself, which is time-consuming and conspicuous.
Practical Security Tips for Your Windows
Beyond choosing windows with strong security features, consider these practical measures:
- Always lock windows when away — even upper-floor windows that seem inaccessible
- Use window coverings to prevent potential intruders from surveying your home's interior
- Maintain landscaping — trim bushes and shrubs near windows to eliminate hiding spots
- Install exterior lighting — motion-activated lights near ground-floor windows deter intruders
- Consider security film — retrofit security film can reinforce existing glass on windows you are not replacing
Full Frame Replacement Enhances Security
When Weatherguard Construction performs a full frame window replacement, we remove the entire old window unit including the frame. This allows us to inspect the rough opening for structural integrity, install the new window with proper shimming and fastening, and ensure the frame is solidly anchored to the home's structure. A properly anchored window is significantly more resistant to forced entry than one that is loosely installed.
Contact us at (651) 439-4320 or book a free consultation to discuss security features for your window replacement project. We serve homeowners from our Stillwater headquarters across Minnesota, plus Schaumburg, IL and Centennial, CO.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most secure type of window?
Casement and awning windows with multi-point locking systems are the most secure operable window types. Their hook-bolt locking mechanism and compression seal make them extremely difficult to force open from outside. Fixed picture windows are also very secure since they have no operable components.
Is laminated glass worth the extra cost for security?
Yes. Laminated glass is one of the most effective security upgrades you can add to your windows. It prevents the glass from shattering into an accessible opening, significantly slowing any forced entry attempt. It also provides sound reduction and UV protection benefits.
Can window security features be added to existing windows?
Some security features like sensors, security film, and aftermarket locks can be added to existing windows. However, for the best security, modern replacement windows with built-in multi-point locks, reinforced frames, and optional laminated glass provide a comprehensive security upgrade that retrofit solutions cannot fully match.
Do secure windows cost significantly more?
Most modern premium windows include multi-point locking systems as standard features at no extra cost. Upgrading to laminated glass typically adds $50 to $150 per window. The total security upgrade cost is modest compared to the protection it provides for your family and property.
