Break-ins are one of every homeowner’s worst nightmares. According to statistics, there are over 1.7 million home burglaries each year in the U.S. Up to 75% don’t have a home security system, with 51% of these burglaries repeated six weeks after the incident.
Many people assume that home security is only necessary for new homes. However, old houses can be just as vulnerable to break-ins and burglaries. While new homes often come with state-of-the-art security features, old homes usually do not.
Old houses often have weak points, such as windows and doors that are easy to force open. Thankfully, the market is never short of security gadgets and devices that can help improve the security of your home without compromising on its aesthetic appeal. Here are a few ways you can do this:
Invest in a Home Alarm System
Most old houses don’t have a security system. This puts your home at risk for break-ins and results in potential repairs in the future. Your insurance company will also charge you a higher premium for not having an alarm system.
A home security alarm system is one of the most effective ways to secure your old house. It is a deterrent for burglars and gives you peace of mind, knowing that your home is well-protected. With a home alarm in place, the system will immediately notify the authorities in case of a break-in.
This will not cause drastic changes to the aesthetics of your home. In fact, most home alarm systems today are sleek and unobtrusive. The key is finding a reliable provider that can answer your questions and make the right installations as seamless as possible.
Choose the Right Locks
Your old house might have locks that are outdated and easy to pick. If this is the case, it’s time to upgrade to better locks that would be more difficult for burglars to tamper with.
Choose locks made from high-quality materials. There are tamper-proof locks made of hardened steel. Choosing these types of locks will make it more difficult for burglars to break into your home.
You should also consider installing deadbolt locks. These are more resistant to lock picking and forced entry. A deadbolt lock should be at least one inch long and have a throw bolt at least two inches long.
You also have to consider adding more than one lock to your doors, especially if you live in a high-crime area. This is since most burglars only need to pick one lock to enter your home. The bad guys will think twice about breaking into your property with the right locks.
Reinforce Your Windows
Older windows are usually thinner glass, making them easier to break. This is why it’s essential to reinforce your windows with stronger and thicker glass. Homeowners have different options that allow them to retain the original look of their windows while making them more secure.
Take window films as an example. This is a thin layer of material that you can apply to your windows. It increases the strength of the glass and makes it more challenging to break. There are also window films designed to hold the glass in place even if it shatters.
You can also opt for tempered glass. This type of glass is four to five times stronger than regular glass. It’s also heat-treated, which makes it less likely to shatter.
Install Automatic Lighting
Many old houses lack outdoor lighting. This makes it easy for burglars to lurk around your property and enter your home without being noticed. This is why it helps to install automatic lighting in your old home.
Automatic lighting will deter burglars and make it easier for you to see who’s lurking around your property. Remember that burglars often target houses that are dark and unoccupied. By installing automatic lighting, you can make it appear as though someone is home, even when you’re not.
There are different types of automatic lighting available in the market. For one, you can opt for solar-powered lights. These are environmentally friendly and can help you save on your energy bills.
You can also choose from a variety of timer-based lighting options. You can set these lighting fixtures on and off at specific times. This will give the illusion that someone is home, even when you’re out of town for a couple of days.
Consider a Smart Doorbell
A doorbell is a simple device that can do wonders for your home security. Many homeowners don’t give much thought to their doorbells, but this little device can deter burglars.
When choosing a doorbell, go for one that has a camera. This way, you can see who’s at the door even if you’re not home. Some doorbells even come with two-way audio, so you can talk to the person at the door even if you’re not there.
You can also consider getting a smart doorbell. You just have to connect a smart doorbell to your home’s Wi-Fi network. This allows you to get alerts on your phone whenever someone rings the doorbell. You can even see a live video feed of what’s happening outside your home.
There you have it! This list shows that you don’t necessarily need to change the aesthetics of your old house just to improve its security. Now, you have many options when making your home more secure without compromising its look.
