Why Are There Bars On Windows In Spain?
Why Do Spanish Properties Have Bars on the Windows? Here’s Why After dealing with thousands of properties, we understand the features that come with the Spanish lifestyle. One question we’re often asked is why do Spanish properties have bars on the windows? So here’s the guide on the reasons and benefits of why the Spanish properties have bars at the windows.
Spanish properties have bars on the windows as a measure of protection against break-in or burglary, to allow safe open ventilation in hot weather, and to provide safety for pets and children. Also, some insurance providers require the fitting of bars or provide discounts for such security measures.
In Spain, these bars are called ‘rejas’ and rejas is the Spanish word for grilles. The fact that they’re bars hopefully makes this pretty self-explanatory. that the bars are used to keep any uninvited visitors out of the premises. This is why they’re often referred to as burglar bars.
Not just windows, you might find these bars outside of doors as well in some of the houses. The concept of rejas dates back to ancient times and many believe that they were used not just for the purpose of security.
So to comprehensively answer the question that why Spanish windows have bars on them, we should take into account some other factors as well.
Why are there bars on windows?
Why Bars on Windows Work. Obviously, they prevent easy entrance into your home. But a large part of their effectiveness is psychological: Burglars prefer to work quickly and quietly, and they don’t like complications. Simply the sight of burglar bars is enough to discourage most home invaders.
Why do French houses have bars on the windows?
As mentioned in the comments, the exterior shutters are an old tradition in southern Europe. They can be basically wooden boards that are opened and closed, or they can have open slits. The first type effectively protects the window from the eyes and intruders but doesn’t let the sun in.
- Typically, when these are closed, it’s night or the owners aren’t in;
- In Portugal, they are considered quaint but are common only in old (think 50+ years) one or two storey houses;
- Another common type it to have thin open slits;
These are less solid for preventing break ins, but they let air and light in. If the window is facing the summer sun, it will naturally be kept close against it without impeding normal activity inside the house. Typical in old houses (30 something years) in some areas.
- Then there are shutters composed of thin strips of wood organised in diagonal to form tiny open diamond spaces;
- These are not common and will be seen only in areas of ancient moor influence, whether regionally (say Southern Portugal) or in city areas that were, in medieval times, consigned to people of this religion;
The architectural tradition remained after the last moor disappeared. But it’s still not common. In Portugal, these exterior shutters that work like ‘doors’ are a species in sharp decline. Most people prefer exterior shutters that are large strips of PVC and can be rolled up and down at will, whether to just make way to little openings to let air and a bit of light in, or to shut close completely.
They often have a little crank that allows the homeowners to lock the shutters and avoid anyone from coming in. Link to traditional shutters; in English Link to PVC shutters; in Portuguese, but just click on the images to see what they look like.
In short, the traditional shutters are a protection against intruders, interested neighbours’ eyes and the sun and go back to when houses didn’t have window panes. To still use them depends on a love for traditional things and not having a good practical and estetic replacement.
Can you sleep with windows open in Paris?
You can never be naked in a Paris flat with the windows open. It’s known as vis-à-vis in French but refers to the fact that often the layout of flats and the windows mean neighbours in a separate building or those who live across the courtyard can see everything that goes on in your flat.
Why do Caribbean homes have bars on windows?
Old San Juan As Mark and I traveled Puerto Rico one of the first things I noticed was the vivid colors. The bright colors with the back drop of the beautiful mountains and blue water of the ocean makes this a breathtaking island. The second thing I noticed as we travel the island is the wrought iron work everywhere. The use of ornate wrought iron bars, or rejas in Spanish, originated in Spain during the late 15th century.
The bars were popular in the tropical parts of Spain because they allowed better ventilation and were cheaper than glass. They also kept the home safe. As Spain colonized the Caribbean they took the architecture with them, including the ornate iron bars.
There are mixed reasons for why this tradition continues. Some of the local folks told me it is for security. Others say it protects the home from damage due to flying debris during hurricanes. And, there are others who say it is heritage. I believe them all. Here are a few photos 
Doors on Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Ponce 
Iron Work Inside the Wooden Fire house in Ponce 
Bars in San Juan 
Planters on Window Bars 
Ornate balcony in Old San Juan 
Apartment in Ponce 
Restaurant Bars 
Decorative Iron Work on Old Doors 
Iron work on Wall and Windows 
Colorful Buildings and Wrought Iron in Ponce 
Safe at Home in Ponce.
Why do houses in Belgium have shutters?
In Belgium most houses have what would be termed as exterior security shutters which are operated from inside and come right down over the window and provide great insulation is winter and can be used to keep the house cool in summer.
Why are there bars on windows in New York?
As the weather warms up, residents and business owners open new windows of opportunity for burglars. Detective Jack Meeks, the spokesman for the New York City Crime Prevention Bureau, warns that the most common entry points for thieves in the city are windows or fire escapes. This risk increases in the spring and summer months. The good news is that they are also preventable.
- Detective Meeks explains that intruders have two major enemies, time and noise;
- So the security of your home or business can be easily strengthened by increasing the time it would take and the noise it would make to gain entry;
Thereby increasing the likelihood of being seen. Take proper precautions in securing all accessible windows, including basement, first floor, top floor, and fire escape windows. The following safeguards will help close the window of opportunity for burglars and prevent the possibly of a break-in: FIRE ESCAPES Exterior fire escapes can be lifesavers during an emergency.
But they also provide intruders with easy access to upper-level windows and balconies. Window gates, security bars, and child guard security devices are essential to securing your fire escape, street level, lower level or top level windows.
Even if the glass of the window is broken, the window gate prevents thieves from gaining access to the premises. Be sure your window gates are professionally installed and equipped with quick release mechanisms that open from the inside in case of fire or emergency exit.
WINDOW LOCKS Treat all street level windows as potential entry points. Install heavy duty window locks, that are clearly visible from the outside. Window pin locks are a simple, affordable yet highly effective burglar deterrent.
Check your window locks regularly to make sure they are working properly. WINDOW ALARMS From a simple window sensor alarm to full-service dynamic home protection, there are a variety of window alarms on the market today. Window sensor alarms install onto the window and detect when the window is opened or broken.
When triggered, it sounds a warning alarm that alerts those inside and intimates the burglar into fleeing. WINDOW GATES An important consideration is whether to use window gates or window bars. Window gates should be installed on any window that could be accessed from the outside.
Windows on the second story or higher generally do not need a gate because they are too difficult to enter. However, you should think about any architectural features of that may make it easy for a thief to climb to that window and open it. New York Protection Gates, Manhattan Protection Gates and folding gates also offer superior protection and functionality.
Consult a professional window security solution provider to determine the right solution for your specific needs. WINDOW BARS Buildings without window bars are targets. Windows that are not covered by bars can be broken easily and used as entry points by burglars.
Generally speaking, bars can work on windows that you will not need to climb out of. However, you may, in an emergency, be in a downstairs room and unable to exit through a door. For example, a fire may trap you on one side of the house, unable to get to any exits.
- If bars are on all of your windows, you could be in trouble;
- Having one or two windows in each street-level room that are gated instead of barred can provide a better level of safety;
- CHILD SAFETY BARS Children have an eager desire to explore their surroundings;
This curiosity can lead to dangerous situations like leaning against a weak window screen or too far out a window to look outside. Child safety bars keep children safe from unexpected window falls and give parents peace of mind that a tragic window fall will not occur in their home.
- PROPER INSTALLTION Choosing the right window security feature is just the first step;
- It’s important to seek a qualified, locally trusted security provider to ensure proper installation to meet the unique security challenges of your building or community;
Security You Need. Service You Deserve. Paragon Security offers a selection of eye-catching designs of window gates, security bars, and child guard security devices that are custom fitted and installed as part of your residence or business overall security plan.
What are invisible burglar bars?
Theft and robbery are still very much prevalent today. These cases are inherent risks that come with homeownership. However, there are things that you can do to protect your home. One of these solutions is burglar bars. All thanks to innovation, today’s burglar bars come in all forms and variations. What’s more, burglar bars are no longer limited to the bulky, opaque ones that make your house look like a building or a prison—which is precisely the reason why many homeowners have a distaste for burglar bars.
Homeowners usually decide against burglar bars because they want to maintain the physical beauty of their home. Fortunately, there’s such a thing as clear burglar bars. As the name suggests, burglar bars are transparent bars that cover your windows or doors to protect your home from invasion.
That said, here are specific reasons why you should install invisible burglar bars in your home:.