 alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC
kudos:1 | Basement window security bars I wonder, can these security bars (anti-theft metal bars) be tapcon'ed to concrete? I feel like if I were to screw them to the frame, it wouldn't be so solid, especially since the frame of the window is fairly thin, as the space is limited to the concrete surroundings. |
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 VioletVenomLets go GatorsPremium
join:2002-01-02
Gainesville, FL | Picture might help with a more precise answer. |
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 bbrcatCANCER SUCKSPremium,MVM
join:2000-12-09
NH
kudos:3 | reply to alkizmo
At a former house of mine, I secured them not only TO the frame, but beyond, to a couple exposed studs on all four sides...just an fyi
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Team
Discovery |
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alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC
kudos:1 | reply to alkizmo
Well I don't have a picture as I'm at work, but it's basically the image above. The first layer of brown is the window frame, second layer is the glass frame that can pivot open/closed.
It's simply a concrete wall with a hole for a window.
Window frame is placed inside that hole. So the window frame is held in place by being screwed/glued to the concrete.
The window frame itself is maybe 1/2" thick. |
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 MsradellP.E.Premium
join:2008-12-25
Louisville, KY | reply to alkizmo
There's no problem attaching the bars directly to the concrete. I would personally use Red-Head anchors instead of TapCon screws, but that's personal preference. |
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alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC
kudos:1 | said by Msradell:There's no problem attaching the bars directly to the concrete. I would personally use Red-Head anchors instead of TapCon screws, but that's personal preference.
Well I'm in the middle of my basement renovation project, so I will have quite a few spare tapcons from anchoring my walls to the concrete.
Now I gotta find a way to replace my basement windows and put the metal bars before much of anything else. We had an attempted burglary yesterday. The guy actually got in but once he came upstairs, he tripped the IR sensor and ran out the back door without taking anything.
Well, he did take my crowbar. I get that it was one of the first things he saw when he came in the basement window, but .... cmon. I imagine homer simpsons trying to break into a house because he sees a crowbar inside which he needs to break in. |
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| If your basement renovation includes any sleeping accommodations like a spare bedroom you might want to check for bars that are removable from inside so the window can still be used for emergency access. Some areas actually outlaw bars that can not be removed if someone sleeps in the basement. A quick check with your local fire department should provide any local info.
You might even have problems with your insurance company for those bars as well if they are not removable from inside, again if someone sleeps downstairs, even part time.
With luck there is no sleeping accommodations in the basement so my note can be ignored... |
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| said by BlueMist:If your basement renovation includes any sleeping accommodations like a spare bedroom you might want to check for bars that are removable from inside so the window can still be used for emergency access. Some areas actually outlaw bars that can not be removed if someone sleeps in the basement. A quick check with your local fire department should provide any local info.
You might even have problems with your insurance company for those bars as well if they are not removable from inside, again if someone sleeps downstairs, even part time.
With luck there is no sleeping accommodations in the basement so my note can be ignored...
i know from experience there are boroughs in the montreal area that outlaw bars on the windows in basements even if there is no sleeping space there, check with your borough to make sure. |
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alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC
kudos:1 | reply to alkizmo
Nobody will sleep in the basement. We have 4 bedrooms on the top floor. The only sleeping that could occur is someone dozing off on the sofa 
The previous owner had installed single metal bars to the basement windows. Sort of like this one.
»www.homedepot.ca/product/101-a-f···4/908872
But the windows are not narrow like in the picture, AND they were installed from the outside. So the would-be-burglar easily got his hands behind the bar and unscrewed the one screw on each side of the bar.
So I'm guessing that my area is okay for basement bars.
If the inspector (When I was buying) didn't say anything, then who could I contact to verify what Pierrefonds allows? Girls at city hall are just that... girls at city hall. |
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 whizkid3Premium,MVM
join:2002-02-21
Queens, NY
kudos:9 | reply to alkizmo
said by alkizmo:The guy actually got in but once he came upstairs, he tripped the IR sensor and ran out the back door without taking anything. How do you know it was a 'guy'? Did he leave the toilet seat up?
said by alkizmo:Well, he did take my crowbar. I get that it was one of the first things he saw when he came in the basement window, but .... cmon. I imagine homer simpsons trying to break into a house because he sees a crowbar inside which he needs to break in. Perhaps he saw the crowbar; walked in through an open door, took the crowbar, and walked back out to the basement window. And then used it to break into the house through the basement? |
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alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC
kudos:1 | said by whizkid3:How do you know it was a 'guy'? Did he leave the toilet seat up? No girl would go through a basement window full of spider webs.
said by alkizmo:Perhaps he saw the crowbar; walked in through an open door, took the crowbar, and walked back out to the basement window. And then used it to break into the house through the basement?
I guess HE needed a sense of accomplishment. |
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| reply to alkizmo
said by alkizmo:Nobody will sleep in the basement. We have 4 bedrooms on the top floor. The only sleeping that could occur is someone dozing off on the sofa
The previous owner had installed single metal bars to the basement windows. Sort of like this one.
»www.homedepot.ca/product/101-a-f···4/908872
But the windows are not narrow like in the picture, AND they were installed from the outside. So the would-be-burglar easily got his hands behind the bar and unscrewed the one screw on each side of the bar.
So I'm guessing that my area is okay for basement bars.
If the inspector (When I was buying) didn't say anything, then who could I contact to verify what Pierrefonds allows? Girls at city hall are just that... girls at city hall.
permits department, most pre purchase inspectors cant know all the local bylaws so normally they wont comment on bars unless they see someone has been sleeping in the basement |
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