They will always find a way in , the grids in windows are certaily not going to keep anyone out that wants in . Get a good alarm system .

Alarms are useless. They just let your neighbors know you were just robbed. I'm not talking about Fort Knox. I'm talking about just enough trouble to make it not worth their time. Most burglars want a quick in and out.

I think bars that are installed into the brick, frame, etc would be far more effective, though I suppose, those installed between the glass might be a deterrent.

Bars on windows have to have a quick-release mechanism for safety reasons. In your example, if the window glass is broken, there's plenty of space to reach through and release the mechanism.

I would look into window security film. Our security company highly recommends it. If the glass gets broken, the film holds the window together.

Beth, a big "thumbs up" to you. Contrary to what people might have heard or seen, Pits are terrific dogs. They are sweet and gentle with anyone you let enter...fierce against intruders.

I am building a home in Florida and have hurricane windows, the glass should be to hard to break.

^From what I have read, impact windows can withstand up to 60 mph but naturally you have to check the specs for the windows that the builder is using. From a practical POV it would be unlikely that a criminal could hurl an object anywhere close to 60 mph. But the best source to check is the manufacturer and a 3rd party rating company.

We have very stringent codes and my son is my contractor so I know I'm getting the best available.

Impact glass is pretty good and IMO that along with an alarm system that actually calls the cops if you are not home should do the trick.

there are also security screens that are a steel mesh that require an angle grinder to cut through. I dont love the way they look outside the house, but if you already have screens they might be a good fit.

here is an example

https://shadeandshutter.com/security-screens/

You can also add an alarm that’s triggered when glass breaks, as well as visible security cameras. I did have someone come in recently one night when I left the front door unlocked. They entered the house, but triggered the motion detector and left. Thank goodness, because I was home asleep at the time.

My mom has exterior bars on her windows and in the bedrooms there is a button you can press to release a lock so the bars swing out. The button is covered by a plastic housing and is far enough from the window that it's impossible to reach through the bars, break the window and release it from outside. So you could look into that option for fire safety if you can't find the windows with embedded bars or you decide they're not the right thing. It does seem to me that one could break the glass and reach through to open the window. With the bars inside the glass it lets the burglar be right up next to the window so they have a pretty good reach if they can break the glass.

I'm not aware of any security bars effective for the combination of keeping people out, and letting people out in an emergency.

I live where crime is common, barred windows are common, and no-one's getting out through the windows in a fire.

Well these release buttons seem to work pretty well, and are probably code for bedrooms in a lot of places - at least in the US. The button is under a little cover with a hole in the side away from the window, and if an intruder could even reach it, their finger doesn't bend that way, so it's impossible to push the button. I suppose they could pry the bars off, but generally a burglar doesn't bother with a house with bars. They'll pick one that doesn't have them.

HI -- As a security company I would say that yes you could have windows like that made But.... they would have to be custom made and would be probably 3 inches or more thick and be very very expensive $$$$. You could have wrought iron bars on the inside of the windows with fast release , that don't have to be decorative but plain . Those with a good PRE- ENTRY alarm system on all the doors and windows connected to a monitored service if needed and that can even turn on lights and loud alarm speakers . And the warning signs displayed outside ... this should be more than enough . Burglars are not going to even bother with a house that has a system and will move on to an easier house . With a pre-entry alarm if someone touches the door or a window , the alarm will trigger . The bad guys won't even get in !

I do love hearing such varied perspectives and experiences!

Where I am, it's relatively common to have bars on windows & doors, alarm systems, cctv cameras, 6ft & higher boundary fences, electric or barbed wire on the fences, private response companies, sometimes guards, often dogs, the lot.

No one here thinks burglars aren't going to bother with the house because of it. Interesting Lefty! We've had visitors from abroad in disbelief of this aspect of out life.

HI -- I know this is the way of life now ... sad very sad . Also forgot to say before to make sure you have good quality CX5 locks , they are unpickable . You can get then from a locksmith shop that carries that kind . Medico is the other but CX5 are better . I know our shop is probably no where near you but you can get good info from our website if it helps . And there is a chat too. Auralock.com ..... be safe !

HI -- Also people ... do not put " Beware of Dog " or " No Trespassing " signs on your property . It opens a legal issue of you admitting your dog , if you have one is dangerous and the police will shoot it . And no Trespassing is an open invitation to police and house raids . Like you are hiding something and you are just a good citizen .

HI -- Just posting signs of " Enter at your own risk " is a better legal warning .

Move to a better neighborhood.

HI --- Funny and easy for you to say to move to a better neighborhood , when most of the found drug houses and crime are in the higher end better districts . Criminals make the money to live in the better neighborhoods ! It really doesn't matter where you live to not have crime around you . Bad people are everywhere these days . We see that all the time in all our years of doing security work .

Answering the original question, no one makes the product that was suggested (single-hung windows with metal colonial style grilles between the panes of glass that are strong enough to deter burglars), for a number of reasons including technical, practical, economic, and aesthetic, but probably the primary reason is that there is simply no market for it.

As Denita and Patricia Colwell Consulting pointed out in their posts, a homeowner can install laminated glass (impact) windows in their home which will protect not only from any potential intruders, but also from storms and storm damage and they are more practical, safer, and better looking than bars.

In addition, unlike bars, laminated glass blocks 99% of UV light (helps prevent furniture and fabrics from fading), blocks a significant proportion of unwanted outside noise, and thicker laminated glass even has a level of bullet resistance when compared with bars over standard annealed window glass.

Good grief...better neighborhoods are far from crime free.

lefty47, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGFhjm-crwc I'm going with the Bowley lock.

as i mentioned before the security screens are very effective. They also are designed to easily open from the inside in the event of a fire. You can also use 3m security films.

Most burglars are just going to kick in your door (or look for unlocked doors). Your strike plate is likely fastened by half inch screws. You should replace them with 3 inch screws into the studs. Even better is to replace your strikeplate with a 2+ ft security strike plate that is secured with 6+ 3 inch screws.

Well, if it's all about security, I would recommend you do as you want your windows to look like. Make it beautiful. Then you can install any reliable security system and solve this issue. I would recommend you take a look at the Ajax professional system. They have a lot of useful devices that may be convenient for you. If I were at your place, I'd probably install motion sensors with cameras close to the windows. If the system detects any movement, it sends you a notification and you can see a picture. Their application is very clear! I suppose you will be able to save money that way and provide a high level of home security as well.