New Orleans homeowners know that protecting your property takes more than a deadbolt. Window and door security bars are one of the most effective passive deterrents available, stopping a break-in before it starts rather than responding after the fact. At Big Easy Iron Works, we fabricate and install custom iron security bars for homes and businesses across the greater New Orleans area. Every installation is built to code, including Louisiana’s egress requirement that at least one bedroom window bar must be quick-release in case of fire.
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Not all security bars are the same. The right system depends on your home’s layout, your neighborhood’s risk level, whether you’re in a historic district, and local fire code requirements. We offer four main categories.
Fixed bars are welded or bolted permanently to the window frame or surrounding masonry. They provide maximum deterrent value and require no maintenance beyond occasional painting. Fixed bars are best suited for street-level commercial windows, basement openings, and non-bedroom windows in residential properties where fire egress is not a concern for that specific opening. Because they cannot be opened from the inside, fixed bars are not code-compliant on any window designated as a bedroom’s emergency escape and rescue opening.
Louisiana fire code and the International Residential Code as adopted in Louisiana require that any bar, grille, or screen placed over an emergency escape and rescue opening must be releasable or removable from the inside without the use of a key, tool, or special knowledge. In plain terms: every bedroom window that has bars needs a quick-release mechanism so occupants can get out during a fire. Big Easy Iron Works installs lever-operated and push-pin release systems that disengage in seconds from the inside but look and perform like permanent bars from the outside. This is not optional, and it is not a detail many out-of-state bar companies emphasize. We do, because it matters.
Security does not have to mean industrial-looking hardware bolted across a window. New Orleans has one of the richest ornamental ironwork traditions in the country, and decorative security bars can match the scrollwork, fleur-de-lis patterns, and geometric designs already on your home. For properties in the Vieux Carre Commission area or other districts under the Historic District Landmarks Commission (HDLC), exterior modifications including new ironwork must receive a Certificate of Appropriateness before installation begins. Big Easy Iron Works works with historically appropriate designs and can guide you through the HDLC process. Decorative bars can be fabricated as fixed or quick-release depending on the window’s egress classification.
For larger openings such as French doors, patio doors, and wide picture windows, bar panels and heavy-gauge security screens offer full-width coverage. These systems mount in a frame secured to the surrounding wall and can be hinged to swing open or installed as fixed panels. They are particularly common on ground-floor French doors and rear patio entrances, which are frequent entry points for break-ins in shotgun-style homes.
This is the section most competitors skip. It is the most important section on this page.
Under the IRC as adopted in Louisiana, every bedroom must have at least one emergency escape and rescue opening, typically a window that meets minimum size requirements. If a bar or grille is placed over that window, the bar must be operable from the inside without a key, tool, or special knowledge. This applies to both residential homes and rental properties.
What happens when fixed bars are on a bedroom window during a fire? Occupants cannot get out. Firefighters cannot get in quickly. The bars that were installed to protect your family become the thing trapping them. This is not a hypothetical. Fire departments across Louisiana have responded to exactly this scenario.
Big Easy Iron Works will not install fixed bars on a window that serves as a bedroom’s only egress point. We install quick-release systems on those windows as a standard practice. If you have existing fixed bars on bedroom windows, whether installed by us or someone else, we strongly recommend scheduling an inspection and retrofit. The quick-release upgrade is straightforward and does not compromise the look or security value of the bars.
For questions about your property’s specific egress requirements, you can also consult the City of New Orleans One-Stop-Shop permitting office or the Orleans Parish building code office.
If your home is in the French Quarter, the Garden District, Marigny, Bywater, Esplanade Ridge, or any other area under HDLC oversight, exterior work requires approval before installation. This includes new security bars, even if you are replacing existing bars with a different design.
The HDLC evaluates proposals based on whether the design is compatible with the historic character of the building and the surrounding streetscape. In Full Control districts, all proposed exterior work must be reviewed prior to beginning. For security bars, the commission typically favors designs that reflect the existing ironwork vocabulary of the structure: traditional scroll patterns, lance-top pickets, and period-appropriate spacing.
Big Easy Iron Works has experience fabricating ironwork in New Orleans’s historic neighborhoods. We can help you select a design that meets HDLC standards while still providing the security coverage your property needs. We recommend contacting the HDLC at (504) 658-7051 early in the process, especially if your project involves bedroom windows requiring quick-release compliance alongside historic design approval.
We install security bars on virtually any opening that needs protection:
We serve both residential and commercial properties. For businesses, we also offer after-hours security grating and collapsible gate systems for storefront windows and entrances.
Pricing varies based on the type of bar, the size of the opening, the material, whether custom fabrication is involved, and access conditions at your property. General ranges for single windows:
Most homeowners find that security bars are among the most cost-effective long-term security investments available, particularly when compared to ongoing alarm system monitoring fees. Bars require no power, no subscription, and no response time.
We offer free on-site estimates. Pricing is confirmed after we measure your openings and review your egress and any historic district requirements.
Big Easy Iron Works installs security bars throughout the greater New Orleans metropolitan area, including:
Not sure if we cover your area? Call us at 504-732-0066 and we will confirm before you schedule.
Yes. Louisiana has adopted the International Residential Code, which requires that any bar, grille, or screen placed over an emergency escape and rescue opening must be operable from the inside without a key, tool, or special knowledge. In practice, this means at least one bedroom window per room must have a quick-release bar if bars are installed on that window. This requirement exists because in a house fire, occupants may need to exit through a bedroom window and firefighters may need to enter. Fixed bars on a bedroom’s only egress window are a code violation and a life safety hazard. Big Easy Iron Works installs quick-release systems as standard on all bedroom egress windows.
Some insurers offer discounts for physical security upgrades including window bars, though this varies by carrier and policy. The reasoning is straightforward: bars reduce the likelihood of a successful break-in, which reduces the risk of a burglary claim. Contact your insurance provider directly and ask specifically whether iron security bars qualify for a premium reduction under your policy’s protective device credits. Having documentation of your installation, including the type of bars and compliance with egress requirements, strengthens your case with the insurer.
In most cases, installing security bars on existing windows does not require a building permit in Orleans Parish or Jefferson Parish for residential properties. However, there are two important exceptions. First, if your property is in an HDLC-controlled historic district, you will need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic District Landmarks Commission before any exterior work, including bar installation, can begin. Second, commercial properties may have different requirements depending on occupancy type and building classification. We recommend checking with the City of New Orleans One-Stop-Shop permitting office if you have any doubt, and we can assist with that process during your free estimate.
Fixed security bars are permanently welded or bolted to the window frame and cannot be opened or removed without tools. They provide the highest level of physical deterrence but cannot be used on windows that serve as the primary emergency exit for a bedroom under Louisiana fire code. Quick-release bars look essentially the same from the outside but have an interior-operated latch, lever, or push-pin mechanism that allows the bars to swing open or drop away in seconds when activated from inside. The release requires no key, no tool, and no special knowledge. Quick-release systems are required by code on bedroom emergency egress windows and are available in the same fixed and decorative styles as standard bars.
Yes. Big Easy Iron Works fabricates custom ornamental security bars using traditional ironwork patterns including scrollwork, fleur-de-lis designs, lance-top pickets, and geometric latticework. These can be matched to existing ironwork on your property or designed to complement the architectural character of your home. For properties in HDLC-controlled districts, we help you select designs that meet the commission’s standards for historic compatibility. Decorative bars are available in both fixed and quick-release configurations, and they provide the same physical security as plain bar styles while enhancing your home’s curb appeal.
Most standard window security bar installations are completed in a single visit, typically two to four hours depending on the number of windows and any custom fabrication required. For projects involving custom ornamental designs or multiple openings, we may schedule fabrication at our shop followed by a separate installation visit. We confirm the timeline during your free estimate once we have measured all openings and reviewed any egress or historic district requirements. Rush scheduling is available in many cases. We do not subcontract our fabrication or installation, so there is no third-party scheduling delay involved.
Most residential security bars are fabricated from mild steel, which offers excellent strength, weldability, and the ability to be painted or powder-coated in any color. Wrought iron is the traditional material associated with New Orleans ironwork and is available for custom ornamental projects. Stainless steel and aluminum are options for coastal properties or locations with higher moisture exposure where corrosion is a concern. We discuss material options during your estimate based on your security needs, aesthetic preferences, and the specific exposure conditions at your property.
Yes. French doors and sliding glass doors are common entry points for break-ins, particularly on rear-facing and side entrances in New Orleans shotgun homes and raised cottages. We install bar panels, security grilles, and hinged bar systems designed specifically for wider door openings. These systems can be mounted on the interior or exterior of the door frame and are available in fixed or hinged-open configurations. For French doors that also serve as an egress point, we ensure the bar system allows for quick exit in an emergency. Sliding glass door security bars typically include both a vertical bar panel and a floor-mounted channel bar to prevent the door from being lifted off its track.
Yes, and the evidence is consistent. According to home security research, iron security bars reduce break-in risk by up to 50 percent on secured openings. The psychological deterrent is significant: most burglars are opportunists who prefer quick, quiet entry and exit. A window with visible iron bars signals that this entry point will take time and noise to defeat, and they typically move on. Unlike alarm systems, which alert you after someone has already broken in, and cameras, which document a crime after the fact, security bars prevent entry from happening at all. They require no power, no monthly monitoring fee, and no response time.
Iron security bars require minimal maintenance. An annual inspection for rust, paint chipping, and mounting hardware integrity is sufficient for most installations. If surface rust develops, wire brush the affected area, apply a rust-converting primer, and repaint with an exterior-grade paint or powder coat. For quick-release mechanisms, test the release function annually to confirm the latch operates freely and smoothly. Lubricate pivot points and latch hardware with a dry lubricant or light machine oil once a year. For powder-coated bars, wash with mild soap and water annually to remove road dust, salt air deposits, and organic debris that can hold moisture against the metal surface.
Security bars can be mounted on either the interior or exterior of a window frame, and each approach has trade-offs. Exterior mounting is more visible from the street, which enhances the deterrent effect before a potential intruder even approaches the window. Interior mounting is less visible from outside, which some homeowners prefer aesthetically, and interior bars are also less exposed to weather. However, interior-mounted bars that are fixed create an egress problem unless a quick-release mechanism is included, since the bars are between the occupant and the window. For bedroom windows, we always recommend exterior mounting with a quick-release, which provides visible deterrence while keeping the egress path clear from inside.
Demand for security bars tends to be highest in neighborhoods with a mix of older housing stock, street-level windows, and elevated property crime rates. In our experience, this includes areas like Mid-City, Gentilly, Uptown, the 7th Ward, and sections of the 9th Ward, though homeowners across every New Orleans neighborhood install security bars. The French Quarter and Marigny see high demand for decorative ornamental bars that satisfy both security needs and HDLC aesthetic requirements. Lakeview and Metairie homeowners often prioritize coverage on rear and side entries. We serve all of these areas and recommend a free on-site assessment to determine which openings on your specific property represent the greatest vulnerability.
Ready to protect your home with custom iron security bars? Call us at 504-732-0066 or contact Big Easy Iron Works online for a free on-site estimate. We fabricate and install all of our work in-house, and every job meets Louisiana fire code and local requirements from the start.
“Great job on the iron gates! I can’t believe they finished installing the iron gate and repairing our fence. A lot of my neighbors recommended Big Easy Iron Works and I can see why they trust them so much. Very professional workers came and the owner checked up from time to time. Great experience.”
– Vanessa Johnson“You have my respect for Big Easy Iron Works! Thank you for staying true to your word about quality service. They helped install our new iron fence and it exceeded my expectations to be honest. They explained everything they would be doing every day of the job. I really recommend them for those living in New Orleans. Hire them for your fencing needs.”
– Billy Anderson“I contacted Big Easy Iron Works because most of my neighbors recommended them to me. I am satisfied with the time that they took to finish the work repairs with my wood fence. The fences they placed turned out nice and they looked like they would last longer. I would also recommend them to my friends in New Orleans.”
– Shirley Oaks
625 Celeste St Suite 504-E,