Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 20, 1995 TAG: 9506210012
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAVID BUTLER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A: Here's the scenario your dealer is concerned about: If a burglar suspects your windows are wired with magnetic contacts, he'll avoid the alarm by breaking the glass and entering through the unopened window. Some burglars can get inside your home silently by cutting the glass and removing it with a special tool. Magnetic contacts won't work unless he opens the window.
If you were to substitute glass-break detectors for magnetic contacts, your security system would have no way to track the status of your windows. You could unknowingly arm your system with windows open, leaving your home unprotected. For maximum security, glass-break detectors and magnetic contacts should be used together.
As you discovered, two modes of detection can be costly. However, there is another way to defend your windows. Full protection can be as simple as an insect screen wired to your security panel. But not just any screen: Special security screens (also known as alarm screens) are available that are nearly impossible to circumvent. They detect a would-be intruder - before he enters your home!
Here's how an alarm screen works: A tiny strand of insulated wire is woven into the screen mesh at four-inch intervals. This wire, which connects to a corrosion-resistant plug, acts as a closed loop to your security panel. A magnetic tamper switch is also wired into the circuit. Any attempt to cut away the mesh or dislodge the frame will promptly trigger the alarm.
Besides providing singular protection for your windows, alarm screens offer an irresistible advantage over magnetic contacts. You can leave your system fully armed while sleeping under an open window! Magnetic contacts force you to make an uncomfortable choice - you must either turn off the security system, bypass the window zones, or keep the windows closed.
Although security screens cost more than window magnets, the price is attractive in comparison to a dual mode system. This is especially true in new construction, where the cost is partially offset by the amount you would have paid for regular screens. You can have existing screens retrofitted with security screen mesh for as little as $25 each! For nonstandard windows, this is the only way to go.
Alarm screens look just as nice as conventional screens. The frames are "original equipment," made from aluminum with an enamel finish of your choice. They can be ordered with cutouts for window cranks and just about any attachment hardware. The mesh, typically fiberglass, is also available in popular colors. Most manufacturers only sell through installing security dealers.
There are several variations worth noting. Most companies use silver-plated or gold connector pins to fight corrosion. Some companies use horizontal trip wires, eliminating any possibility that someone might maneuver through a strategically placed slit. Solar mesh, another popular option, reduces the sun's glare without blocking the view. One company even makes secure mini-blinds that provide protection similar to alarm screens.
To receive a list of companies that manufacture alarm screens and alarm blinds, please send $1.50 and a self-addressed envelope to David Butler F-514, Department TWN, 14713 Pleasant Hill Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28278-7927. The list includes toll-free phone numbers and a summary of each company's products.
HomeTech News: The Home Automation Association bulletin board on Compuserve now features a monthly forum on home automation topics. Each session is led by a noted industry specialist. If you have a Compuserve account and you'd like to check the topic, date, and time for the next forum, type Go Handyman, then select the home automation section.
by CNB