New Orleans consistently ranks among the highest-crime cities in the United States for property crime per capita. Bureau of Justice Statistics data shows that windows and glass doors account for roughly 23 percent of all residential burglary entry points nationwide; in dense urban neighborhoods where ground-floor windows face narrow sidewalks and alleys, that percentage is higher. Understanding how burglars select and exploit windows, and which countermeasures are most effective against those methods, is the starting point for protecting your home.
This guide covers every major window security method available to New Orleans homeowners, from the strongest physical barriers to supplementary deterrents, with honest assessments of cost, effectiveness, and appropriate use cases. If you are ready to evaluate your home’s vulnerabilities, the team at Big Easy Iron Works security systems New Orleans offers free on-site consultations across the metro area.
The FBI’s Uniform Crime Report shows that approximately 30 percent of residential burglaries are committed through an unlocked door or window with no forced entry. Another 25 percent involve forced entry through a window. In New Orleans, where the housing stock is predominantly pre-1960 construction with single-pane wood-sash windows, the window is often the weakest element of an otherwise solid structure.
Burglar behavior research is consistent on one point: time is the primary deterrent. The average residential burglary is completed in 8 to 12 minutes. If a burglar cannot gain entry within 60 to 90 seconds, most will move to an easier target. Every security measure you add to a window extends that required time, and every second of additional time increases the probability that a neighbor sees something, a light turns on, or an alarm sounds.
Neighborhoods with the highest window break-in rates in New Orleans include Mid-City, Central City, Gentilly, and parts of Algiers and the West Bank, where homes sit close to the street with limited natural surveillance. Uptown and the Garden District see fewer ground-floor forced entries but more second-floor attempts via galleries and neighboring roofs. Lakefront and New Orleans East neighborhoods see both types. Understanding your neighborhood’s crime pattern helps prioritize which windows need the strongest protection.
Physical security bars on windows remain the single most effective window burglar deterrent available. They are effective for a simple reason: a burglar who cannot get through a window, cannot get through the window. Window film slows glass breakage. Locks prevent the window from being opened but not the glass from being broken. Alarms alert after entry has been attempted. Security bars prevent the entry attempt from succeeding at all.
The visible deterrence effect of security bars is also significant. A burglar casing a block will skip the window with bars and look for an unprotected window, either on the same property or on a neighboring one. This is the “displacement effect” documented in criminological research: bars do not just protect the window they cover; they redirect criminal activity away from the property entirely. NOPD data from Mid-City consistently shows that blocks with high rates of bar installation have lower per-property burglary rates than adjacent blocks with similar socioeconomic profiles and lower bar rates.
For the strongest protection, combining window bars with security doors in New Orleans eliminates both common entry points simultaneously. A home with properly installed window bars and a solid security door presents no silent, fast entry path for a burglar. The time required to defeat both barriers exceeds what most opportunistic burglars are willing to risk.
Types of window security bars for New Orleans homes:
Security window film is a polyester laminate applied to the interior surface of existing glass. The leading brands include 3M Safety Series and Llumar SafeGuard. Both products are available in thicknesses ranging from 4 mil to 14 mil; residential security applications typically use 8 mil or heavier.
What security film does: when a film-protected pane is struck with a blunt object, the glass fractures into the film matrix rather than shattering into the room or falling out of the frame as an open hole. The fractured glass and film remain bonded together, still held in the frame by the film’s adhesive bond to the glazing bead or frame. A burglar who breaks a film-protected window does not get an immediately usable opening; they get a fractured, milky, film-held pane that requires repeated strikes and pulling to clear.
What security film does not do: it does not make glass unbreakable. A sustained attack with a center-punch or window punch (tools designed specifically to break car window glass) can defeat 8 mil film in 30 to 60 seconds. Film provides delay, not prevention. For a window that a burglar can approach without being seen, that delay may not be sufficient. For a window visible from the street or from a neighbor’s line of sight, those extra 30 seconds matter significantly.
Security film costs $8 to $14 per square foot professionally installed, depending on film thickness and glass configuration. For a standard 36 x 48-inch window, installed cost runs $100 to $200. Film is most cost-effective when used in combination with other measures rather than as a standalone solution.
3M and Llumar both publish testing data showing the number of strikes required to clear a film-protected opening. Review the manufacturer data for the specific product being considered, and be skeptical of unverified claims about “unbreakable” film.
More than a quarter of residential burglaries nationally involve no forced entry, meaning the burglar simply opened an unlocked window. The simplest and least expensive window security upgrade is making sure every window is locked before you leave the house and before you go to sleep.
Most factory window locks on older New Orleans homes are inadequate for security purposes. A standard sash lock on a double-hung window can be defeated by inserting a thin blade between the sashes and flipping the lock lever from the exterior. Upgrading to more robust locking hardware adds meaningful resistance at minimal cost.
Key-locking sash locks replace the standard latch with a cylinder lock that requires a key to open from either side. The interior key should be kept within reach of the window for fire egress but not visible from the exterior. Key-locking sash locks run $15 to $40 per window and require no special tools to install on standard double-hung windows.
Sash pins are the simplest effective lock: a metal pin inserted through a hole drilled at a downward angle through the inner sash and partway into the outer sash. The pin prevents the inner sash from being raised even if the latch is defeated. Two pins per window cost under $5 in materials and take 10 minutes to install. The limitation is that they prevent ventilation unless a second set of holes is drilled at a partially-open position.
Charlie bars (also called window security bars, different from exterior security bars) are horizontal interior braces that rest in the window track and prevent horizontal sliding in casement or sliding windows. They are effective and inexpensive but provide no protection if the glass is broken.
Keyed window locks for casement windows replace the standard crank-handle lock with a cylinder lock mechanism. Casement windows are often targeted because their standard latch is visible and accessible through the glass: a burglar breaks a small pane, reaches in, and flips the latch. A keyed lock adds a cylinder the burglar cannot reach from the exterior.
Window alarm systems detect one of two events: the window being opened (contact sensor) or the glass being broken (glass break sensor). Both types generate an audible alarm and, if connected to a monitored system, send an alert to a monitoring center or your phone.
Contact sensors use a magnetic pair, one piece on the frame and one on the sash. When the sash moves away from the frame, the magnetic circuit breaks and the alarm triggers. Contact sensors are inexpensive ($15 to $40 per window for quality sensors) and reliable. Their limitation is that they only activate if the window is opened, not if the glass is broken while the window remains closed.
Glass break sensors use an acoustic sensor that listens for the specific frequency signature of breaking glass. Quality glass break sensors (Honeywell, DSC, and Bosch make reputable units) can detect glass breaking within 15 to 25 feet of the sensor. One glass break sensor can protect multiple windows in the same room. Glass break sensors run $30 to $80 each and require some calibration during installation to avoid false alarms from other high-frequency sounds.
Alarm systems in New Orleans have a practical limitation worth noting: NOPD’s response time to burglar alarms is highly variable, and alarm-only responses are sometimes deprioritized when simultaneous calls compete for units. An alarm that sounds for 60 seconds and then stops (because the intruder has already exited) may not result in a police response before the burglar is gone. Alarms work best as one layer of a multi-layer system, not as the sole defense.
Exterior surveillance cameras and motion-activated lighting address the deterrence layer of window security rather than the physical barrier layer. Cameras document what happens; they do not physically prevent it. Lighting removes the cover of darkness that most burglars depend on.
The deterrence value of visible cameras is real but lower than commonly assumed. Experienced burglars know that camera footage is rarely reviewed before they are well clear of the scene. However, cameras do deter opportunistic, less experienced burglars, who make up the majority of residential break-ins. A visible camera at a window also increases the probability that a neighbor who sees something unusual will have footage to reference when reporting it.
Motion-activated flood lights, aimed to illuminate the approach to ground-floor windows on the side and rear of the house, are among the most cost-effective window security investments available. LED motion floods run $30 to $80 each and can be installed in most exterior fixtures without electrical work. The effect on nocturnal burglary is disproportionate to the cost: a burglar who triggers a flood light at a window they are attempting to access becomes immediately visible to anyone within line of sight.
Place cameras and lights to eliminate blind spots: the side of the house, the rear, and any window not visible from the street. The windows visible from the street are inherently surveilled by passing traffic and neighbors; the windows facing the rear courtyard or the alley are where the risk is concentrated.
Laminated safety glass incorporates a PVB (polyvinyl butyral) interlayer between two glass panes. When struck, the outer pane fractures but the interlayer holds the broken glass in place, similar to security film but built into the glass itself rather than applied as a retrofit. Impact-rated windows (designed for hurricane resistance) use laminated glass and reinforced frames rated to resist both wind pressure and impact loads.
Impact windows are the most expensive window security upgrade and the most permanent. A single impact-rated window replacement runs $500 to $1,500 installed in the New Orleans market, depending on window size and frame material. A full-home impact window installation runs $10,000 to $30,000 for an average New Orleans home. This cost can be partially offset by homeowner’s insurance premium reductions (insurers in Louisiana recognize impact windows for wind/hurricane discount purposes) and by the elimination of the need for storm shutters.
For homeowners in Lakeview, New Orleans East, and other flood-prone areas who are already planning window replacement for storm protection, specifying impact glass at the point of replacement captures the security benefit without an incremental security-specific cost. For homeowners in older homes where window replacement is not otherwise planned, impact windows are generally not cost-effective as a pure security investment when compared to the combination of security bars plus film plus upgraded locks.
Dense, thorny plantings under ground-floor windows create a natural access barrier that is more effective than commonly credited. A burglar approaching a window through a mature bougainvillea, hollies, or climbing roses faces scratches, noise from rustling branches, and a physical impediment that makes quick, silent approach difficult.
The most effective thorny plants for New Orleans’ climate and soil include bougainvillea (aggressive, thorny, fast-growing), ligustrums (dense, can be trimmed to window height), climbing roses (especially thorny varieties like Knockout), and pyracantha (firethorn, very dense with sharp thorns). All grow well in south Louisiana without significant maintenance.
Thorny plantings are not a substitute for physical security measures, but they contribute to the layered approach without any ongoing cost after establishment. They also improve curb appeal in a way that security bars cannot always replicate, particularly for historic district homeowners navigating HDLC aesthetic requirements.
No single window security measure is sufficient for a high-crime-exposure New Orleans property. The most effective security posture layers multiple measures so that defeating one does not provide entry. A burglar who breaks the glass still faces bars. A burglar who defeats the bars triggers an alarm. An alarm that sounds triggers a camera that documents the event. The layered approach makes the cost-benefit calculation for the burglar unfavorable at every step.
A practical layered window security plan for a New Orleans home in a moderate-to-high crime neighborhood:
Not every home needs all six layers. A home on a busy, well-lit street with good neighbor surveillance may need fewer physical measures than a home on a quiet block with a deep rear yard. The layered approach is scalable; start with the highest-impact measures (bars, upgraded locks) and add layers based on your specific risk profile.
Homeowners in HDLC and VCC historic districts face an additional constraint: exterior modifications, including window security bars, require commission review and approval before installation. The goal of the commission process is not to prevent security measures but to ensure that those measures are compatible with the historic character of the building and the district.
Ornamental ironwork has been part of New Orleans architecture for more than two centuries. The VCC and HDLC have approved window bars on historic properties routinely when the bars are designed to complement rather than clash with existing architectural elements. The key principles for commission approval:
Big Easy Iron Works has fabricated and installed HDLC and VCC-approved window bars on historic properties throughout the French Quarter, Marigny, Tremé, Bywater, and Garden District. We can prepare design submissions as part of the project process.
The table below shows typical installed costs per window for each security method in the New Orleans metro area as of 2025. Prices vary with window size, product quality, and contractor. These are representative ranges for planning purposes.
The highest return-on-investment combination for most New Orleans homeowners is security bars on ground-floor windows plus upgraded locks on upper-floor windows plus motion-activated lighting. This combination costs $1,500 to $5,000 for a typical home and addresses the three most commonly exploited vulnerabilities: unprotected ground-floor windows, inadequate upper-floor locks, and the cover of darkness.
Several common window security mistakes reduce effectiveness or create new risks:
Installing non-releasing bars on bedroom windows. This is the most dangerous window security mistake. Fixed bars on bedroom windows that lack a quick-release mechanism are a fire death trap. Louisiana fire code requires quick-release mechanisms on bedroom window bars. Do not install, and do not buy a home with, fixed bars on bedroom windows without confirming that a proper quick-release is present and functional.
Buying pre-made bar kits without checking the anchor method. A bar set screwed into window trim with 1.5-inch wood screws will be ripped out by a burglar who applies lateral force to the bars. The bars are only as strong as the anchors. Confirm that any bar installation uses fasteners into structural framing or masonry anchors.
Relying on alarm systems alone. NOPD response times to alarm calls are variable. An alarm that sounds for 90 seconds does not guarantee police arrival before the burglar is inside, has taken what they came for, and is gone. Alarms detect and document; they do not prevent. Use alarms as a layer in addition to physical barriers, not as a substitute for them.
Using aluminum bars for security. Aluminum is soft enough to cut with a hacksaw in under two minutes. Aluminum window bars provide visual deterrence to unsophisticated opportunists but offer minimal physical resistance to a prepared burglar. Use steel or wrought iron for security applications.
Leaving exterior lighting on a fixed timer instead of motion activation. A light that turns on at 6pm and off at midnight tells a burglar exactly when the property is in darkness. Motion-activated lighting provides unpredictable deterrence because the burglar does not know when or where it will trigger.
Skipping rear and side windows. Homeowners frequently secure street-facing windows and leave rear and side windows unprotected. Burglars know this. The windows facing the rear yard or the alley, where natural surveillance is lowest, are the highest-risk entry points in most New Orleans neighborhoods.
The most effective single measure is professionally installed steel security bars with structural anchoring. For bedrooms, hinged quick-release bars are required by Louisiana fire code. The most effective overall approach combines security bars on ground-floor windows, upgraded locks on upper-floor windows, security film on high-risk ground-floor glass, contact and glass-break sensors, and motion-activated exterior lighting.
FBI UCR data shows the most common window entry methods are: breaking the glass and reaching in to unlock the latch (most common), forcing a poorly latched window open with a pry bar, and simply opening an unlocked window. Security bars eliminate the first two methods. Proper locking eliminates the third.
Window alarms are effective as one layer in a multi-layer security system. As a standalone measure in New Orleans, their effectiveness is limited by variable NOPD response times. Contact sensors and glass-break detectors are most valuable when connected to a professionally monitored system that can dispatch faster than NOPD or alert a neighbor with a key to check on the property.
Security film does not prevent break-ins; it delays them. Film keeps fractured glass in place after impact, requiring additional strikes and time to clear an opening. Quality 8 mil film from 3M or Llumar can add 30 to 90 seconds to entry time through a protected window. As a supplement to security bars, film protects against a burglar attempting to cut through the glass beside the bar frame to create an opening the bars do not cover.
Installed costs run $150 to $350 per window for flat fixed bars, $250 to $500 for hinged quick-release bars, and $400 to $900 or more for ornamental custom ironwork. A whole-home installation (6 to 10 ground-floor windows) typically runs $1,200 to $5,000 depending on bar type and design complexity. Call Big Easy Iron Works at 504-732-0066 for a current project estimate.
With power tools and enough time, a determined burglar can cut through steel bars. The goal of security bars is not to create an impenetrable barrier but to extend the time required for entry beyond what the burglar is willing to risk. Most residential burglars are opportunistic and move to easier targets when confronted with bars. Angle-grinder cutting of steel bars is noisy, sparks visibly, and typically takes several minutes per bar, making undetected entry through quality bars extremely difficult.
Yes. New Orleans’ humidity and coastal air accelerate corrosion on steel bars. Annual inspection for coating chips and surface rust, followed by touch-up with zinc-based primer and matching topcoat, keeps bars in service indefinitely. Hinged quick-release bars need annual lubrication of the hinge and latch. Neglected bars can develop significant rust within 3 to 5 years in lakefront or near-coast neighborhoods.
Yes. Louisiana’s residential fire code, following NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) and the International Residential Code, requires that any security bars installed on a bedroom window’s required egress opening include a quick-release mechanism operable from the interior without a key and with a single motion. This applies to any floor, not just ground level.
For older double-hung wood-sash windows common in New Orleans, key-locking sash locks and sash pins (a simple metal pin through a hole drilled through both sashes) provide the best combination of security and cost-effectiveness. For casement windows, a keyed lock replacing the standard crank handle prevents a burglar from reaching through broken glass to operate the crank. For sliding windows, a Charlie bar in the track prevents horizontal movement.
Pre-made bar kits are available at home improvement stores for $60 to $150 per window. The primary risk with DIY installation is inadequate anchoring: bars screwed into window trim rather than structural framing will fail under forced entry. Custom-fabricated bars from a professional ironworks are heavier-gauge, dimensionally accurate to your window, and installed with structural anchors. For security-critical applications, professional installation is strongly recommended.
Upper-floor window security depends on access risk. In New Orleans, shotgun doubles and camelback homes often have side galleries, neighboring rooftops, or trees that provide secondary-floor access. If your upper-floor windows are accessible from a gallery, a neighboring roof, or a large tree limb within reach, treat those windows with the same priority as ground-floor windows. At minimum, all upper-floor windows should have quality locking hardware even if bars are not installed.
For rental properties, removable security bars (which mount into permanent brackets but can be changed between tenants if needed) combined with key-locking window latches and contact alarm sensors provide the best combination of security, tenant safety, and management practicality. Ensure all bedroom window bars have quick-release mechanisms: Louisiana law holds landlords responsible for code-compliant security hardware in rental units.
Ornamental ironwork security bars custom-fabricated to match or complement existing ironwork on the property are the standard solution for historic New Orleans homes. The HDLC and VCC have approved well-designed ornamental bars on hundreds of historic properties throughout the French Quarter, Garden District, Marigny, and Tremé. The key is designing bars that are architecturally consistent with the period and character of the building, not applying a utilitarian flat-bar product to a historic facade.
Protecting your windows is one of the most important steps you can take to secure your New Orleans home. The right combination of physical barriers, upgraded locks, detection systems, and lighting creates a layered defense that dramatically reduces your burglary risk. Call Big Easy Iron Works at 504-732-0066 to schedule a free on-site window security evaluation. We fabricate and install security bars, security doors, and custom ironwork across the New Orleans metro, from the French Quarter to Algiers to New Orleans East.
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