Just to clarify, I would be interested in flush-mounted bars, something along these lines ...

{{!gwi}}

I don't have them but a friend had security rolling shades that were remote control they lock down each night and depending on your house they can fit in quite nice. Don't know how to link but here's an idea

http://hkindustrialsolutions.com/rdo/rollshutters.html

Thanks for sharing that link! The shutters are very interesting and nice-looking, but I'm not sure we'd want the hassle of even having to remember to remotely lock them down everytime we left the house. Still ... it's definitely another option to consider!

It's a lot more expensive, but have you considered impact windows/doors?

I can't afford to replace the windows/doors at this point ... Unfortunately.

On the other hand ... can window bars have a certain charm? (Sure, if they're on a gorgeous old building in France. ;-))

{{!gwi}}

Can you repost your pic/give a link, SC? It's not showing up for me.

A new take:

Anele - below is a link.

Isn't that a wonderful, whimsical sculpture? Love it! :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Flush-mount bars

TY for the link . . .I completely think you can make something work. Your house is charming and will be able to look good w/ security bars as well.

I think if they look integrated and have some landscaping (with THORNS, ha, ha!) they will look just fine AND you will have peace of mind day and night.

Thanks so much for the vote of confidence, Anele! Because the bars would be only on the two sides of the house that are not visible from the street (the other two sides are highly visible - our street gets a good deal of auto and foot traffic, so we aren't as concerned about having those windows covered), I'm trying not to worry too much about a detracting appearance, and focus more on the security (and peace of mind) bars will provide.

What does your windows look like right now? Are they fairly plain? If so you could try to use a burglary bar design that would mimic a tudor style leaded window.

If you have divided lights maybe just have the bars in the same place as the window muntins.

Lyfia, this shows the basic style as it appears from the inside. I do like the idea of trying to mimic the look with bars on the exterior.

An alternative would be to plant that horrible prickly holly below the windows. Nobody want to crawl over that stuff. Bougainvillea also has huge thorns, but it might die off in the winter in your climate.

An alternative would be to plant those horrible prickly holly bushes below the windows. Nobody wants to crawl over that stuff. Bougainvillea also has huge thorns, but it might die off in the winter in your climate.

Note: I don't understand why I tend to leave off the endings of words when I type...sorry.

SunnyCottage, take some time to think about this so you don't over-react. You have a monitored security system. If it had been on when the person tried to break in, would it have activated? If so, maybe you don't need another layer of protection.

Although, I like the prickly bush idea.

I have a low tech low cost method. I bought some wood trim, 1/2 by 3/4. I cut pieces to fit my double hung windows to prevent lifting the lower pane. So even if someone breaks the glass, and turns the latch, they won't be able to lift the lower window pane. My window frames are white, so I painted the wood white. Blends in, so if some does break the glass and is trying to open the window, it will not be readily apparent why it isn't opening.
Of couse if someone really really wants in, they could pull all the broken glass pieces and then crawl in. But most burglars won't do that, most are in a hurry.

What did they do to try and get in? Do you have your security company sign out front and in the rear of your home?
My FIL had a vacation home that didn't have a security system and he used something like Kathy77 suggested. When I had my system installed, they did put window monitors on some of my windows - so that if the window is moved in a tiny bit my alarm goes off.
Maybe you should also contact your security company to see if they have anything that can be added to your current set up.
Unfortunately, I'm off the adage if they want in, they will get in...grrrrr

I'll give you the advice I gave my girlfriend when her first daughter was born. Plant burgundy barberry below the windows. There is no one in their right mind who will even approach a window with a hedge of that beneath it, and it's actually a very pretty plant. You just have to prune it with double gloves so as not to stick yourself.

On the inside of your windows, about 4 inches above the top of the lower sash, screw a screw or drill a hole and insert a smooth bolt inside the window frame. That way, if someone tries to open the window from the outside, it won't open more than the 4 inches and no one can fit in.

I also agree with planting barberry or holly.

I live in an urban area in a densely packed neighborhood of bungalows. We took the burglar bars off when we bought our house, because as the police told us, most burglaries happen through doors, not windows.

I'd recommend saving your money, keeping the asthetics of your home intact and not acting impulsively. And it DOES sound like you are being impulsive.

For what it's worth, I have experienced 2 home burglaries in prior homes, both of which occurred through the front door.

As another thorny plant suggestion, rosa rugosa looks like a medieval torture device in the winter, yet has nice big red rose hips which birds and squirrels love for vitamin C all winter. It's nice to local critters, but seriously scary looking to people :)

If you do put bars on the windows make sure there is an emergency release from the inside. I've seen them on homes with no release. If there was a fire you would not be able to get out that window.

Light is another deterent. Do you have nightime landscape lighting? Noise another. Put loose stones in those areas as they make noise when walked on compared to soft grass.

I once saw the house across the street being robbed though I didn't know what was happening at the time. It was dark, about 8 pm in the winter. A car pulled in the driveway. I saw someone go to the front door. Another person I didnt see went around back and broke in the rear door. He then came through the house and opened the front door. A while later they both left from the front door. Got in the car and drove away.

Many years ago when I lived in the city in an apartment that was on the ground floor of an older house, we had burglar bars. They really didn't look so bad. I think the ones that have some architectural interest or are very low-key in appearance are fine.

I hope you have central AC because you cannot put a window unit in those windows. Ground floor window units are often shoved out of the window by burglars who then enter through the open window.

I think you will sleep better at night knowing your downstairs is secure. I always make sure the doors and windows are closed and locked at night even though my neighborhood is very safe. We have the best protection of all -- nosy neighbors. There is one woman who walks around snooping into people's business constantly but she does not miss a trick!

Most burglars are really stupid people who are looking for an easy way to get in. They will go to the house with the unlocked doors and open windows. Around here unlocked cars are always being robbed of loose change or GPS or laptops left in the car. It isn't hard to be smarter than a crook.

I love my motion detector light. Anyone coming to the back of my house (that's where my driveway is) immediately trips it. I'd like to get one on the front to shine on the people who walk their dogs on my lawn at night!

dedtired, you need a motion activated sprinkler for your front yard.

Here is a link that might be useful: Motion actived sprinkler

I did experience one burglary -- it was through a basement window that was ground level and not visible from the street. Even though it was a tiny window maybe 2 feet wide and 1 foot high), they broke the glass and crawled in. Now, there were some extenuating circumstances -- the burglar was fleeing police who had caught him in the act at another house, so he may not have chosen our house/that window if he wasn't cornered and looking for a place to hide. (Once inside, though, he spent hours hiding while he leisurely browsed through our entire house, opened all our drawers, sorted the jewelry and took only the good stuff, etc. He then left through the basement door -- only to be apprehended a few minutes later by police, who were still out looking for him, LOL!)

At any rate, like Aunt Jen, we immediately put burglar bars up on that window -- we had them custom made at a local wrought (rod? LOL!) iron place and they didn't look bad. But again, it was only on the one small ground level window. But as far as "burglars don't come in through the window" or "won't smash the glass and crawl through" -- that wasn't the case in my situation and the burglar bar did make me feel a lot better.

If you do decide to use them, choose ones that are as thin as possible and still effective, and I'd advise black. They will disappear better from inside, and from any distance outside.

Thanks very much for your thoughts and suggestions! (Although I can't agree that we're being impulsive; as stated, we are considering burglar bars - we're simply exploring options at this point.) We are going to get a couple of quotes, but haven't committed to anything yet.

We do have a monitored security system. Quite honestly, I would be less upset if my things were stolen than if my pets escaped from a broken window or kicked-in door. My things are replaceable. My babies aren't.

I will also consider planting very prickly bushes beneath the windows. We've put up a couple of "Beware of Dog" signs and will be installing a new motion-sensing floodlight on the side of the house that is now dark, thanks to our neighbor's house being abandoned (the electricity has been cut, so his exterior lights no longer shine). I've also contacted our security system monitoring company and they are sending out new yard signs and window stickers. I feel like every little extra bit of deterrent helps at this point.

Oh, dedtired - we do have central A/C, but our next door neighbor has window units and one of his was kicked in a few years ago, and his home was burglarized. The crooks were so stupid that most of what they took was worthless stuff - including cordless phones and an antique gun that didn't work. ;-)

Graywings, that sprinkler is just what I need. That sure would surprise the sneaky night-time dogwalkers.

Home break-ins are fairly common around here. Sunny, it sounds as if you are taking the right steps to be sure you are not victim. Also be sure to lock the doors when working in the yard. What nuisance we go through just because of the rotten apples out there.

Yep - I think it's probably common to feel very suspicious of others when something like this happens, at least for a time. I'm really working at not being that way, but will admit that my defensiveness has gone way up over the past week.

Bronwynsmom, I wanted to thank you for the color suggestion. I had not even considered that black would be more likely to "disappear". I had been thinking of matching the bars to our brick color (off-white).

they also have inexpensive window (and door alarms) that operate on battery. Any break in the contact (like window edge to window edge) will set them off.

i don't know what happened / how someone tried to break in at your house. If you have a regular system, didn't they call the police? or is that what scared them away?

in the desert it is recommended to plant cacti under low windows, so the bush thing is a good idea.

or maybe one of those screeching door mats that are popular at Halloween placed under each window? that should scare the H outa anyone trying to get in through one of them.