Secure airflow?

May 30, 2019 7:07 AM

My roommate wants to leave windows open during the day when we’re gone for airflow. I’m concerned about security. Are there any solutions that are secure?
posted by azalea_chant to Home & Garden (14 answers total)

Depending on your window types, you could look at Open Window Restrictors - they let the window open a small amount but don't allow for wider access (we have some very ancient ones on the windows in my office and in our library but they're also available for childproofing) but you might need to see if they can be removed easily for when you want wider access or decide that that window only gets to open x amount ~~forever~~. I suspect the childproofing ones are a lot less permanent than the ones at my work.

Also I don't know how suitable they are if you rent, so there is that.
posted by halcyonday at 7:22 AM on May 30, 2019 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: My roommate is the homeowner. I rent from them.
posted by azalea_chant at 7:24 AM on May 30, 2019 [1 favorite]

I use these, though I will admit they damage the window frame a bit.
posted by sacrifix at 8:10 AM on May 30, 2019 [1 favorite]

Some sash window frames have built-in restrictors that keep the window from opening more than a few inches. These are usually little tabs that are built into the frame or the upper pane, located 4"-6" above the top of the lower pane when the window is closed. When they're retracted, they're flush to the fitting and the lower pane can move freely; but they can be popped out, and then they block the lower pane from opening more than a few inches.

It's entirely possible that you don't have these on your frames, particularly if they're older or non-sash windows, but I'd figure I'd mention it just in case there's a pre-existing solution that you were unaware of. These restrictors are small and easy to miss, particularly if you don't know what you're looking for.
posted by Johnny Assay at 8:24 AM on May 30, 2019 [2 favorites]

Window security bars
posted by metasarah at 8:47 AM on May 30, 2019 [2 favorites]

Seconding the suggestion chemicalsynthesist made above. I got something like that for my roommate, because he can't have an AC in his room since the only window in there is also our fire escape, and I felt bad. I actually found something by searching for childproofing windows; the latch I found sticks pretty securely to the window and keeps the window from being opened more than a couple inches, but can be easily removed if the house is about to burn down and we needed to get out.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:01 AM on May 30, 2019 [1 favorite]

Those aluminum thumb-screw locks are really good, just make sure they're fully on the window track and not wiggly. On first-floor windows you can put a back-up length of wood or PVC pipe in the track, cut to fit the slightly-open window, to additionally make the window un-openable from outside.

Most of the time, burglars are just looking for convenience. If the window doesn't open on the first try, they'll move on. If they really want in, they'll kick the door in or break a window anyway.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:36 AM on May 30, 2019 [1 favorite]

If your windows open horizontally instead of vertically, you could just cut some wooden dowels to the appropriate size and rest them in the window track so they stop the sliding part from opening too far.
posted by natabat at 10:00 AM on May 30, 2019 [3 favorites]

I had standard windows with the bottom opening in a first floor apartment. The previous tenants had installed sticky velcro at each top corner. There were two cut wooden pieces for each window with the matching piece of velcro that were long enough to block the window from opening too far.
posted by soelo at 10:16 AM on May 30, 2019

To follow on natabat's suggestion for horizontal sliding windows, I've dropped sturdy curtain rods in those tracks. (I've also used dual-fan units like this in the window opening, then braced the window with a thick dowel or metal rod.)
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:08 AM on May 30, 2019 [1 favorite]

Bars seem like the obvious answer. My house (and over half those in my neighborhood, which has high property crime) have them. If someone is willing to break/cut through bars glass won't stop them, so windows closed or open makes no difference. It's nice being able to leave windows open with no worry.

That said, I do realize that if no one else has bars it can sometimes look a little weird, but some of them look fairly nice and it wouldn't even have to be every window (could potentially just do a few you want to leave open).
posted by thefoxgod at 12:01 PM on May 30, 2019

Good bars have a latching mechanism on the inside so you can release them to swing open to escape a fire. AKA there may be building safety codes about putting bars on your windows depending...

I'd either do the broomstick in the bottom for the horizontal windows, or drill a hole in the side and slide in a bit of metal rod to keep the vertically opening windows from opening too far. Sorta depends on the construction of your house...

Pretty much anything that only lets the window open up a bit for ventilation.
posted by zengargoyle at 12:18 PM on May 30, 2019

Just thought I'd mention that if you are worried about security you should ask yourself "how would I get in if I lost my key?" If you can come up with something (e.g., "pop the screen off and reach in and remove the rod jammed in the track") someone that wants to get in can too. Of course, any house with glass windows can only be so secure without bars or something.
posted by Gilgamesh's Chauffeur at 6:34 PM on May 30, 2019

Response by poster: Thanks! Currently the plan is locking them at an inch or two open. I don’t think bars are necessary but they look very sturdy.
posted by azalea_chant at 10:32 PM on May 30, 2019