it's not a bad choice... use 8mm + laminating + 4mm + tinted laminate if possible. make sure the frame can tahan the weight. normal alluminium frame wont do. you need high quality frames like for example AUBI system. it works great though and unless they come with a major sledgehammer, it's pretty damn hard to break the window glass like that. suggest to put motion detectors around the house just to be safe though. done it and quite happy. it looks really good.

ok, so many replies... you can get in touch with those people:

UPWARDS SOLUTION SDN. BHD
18, JALAN PERUSAHAAN 3
OFF JALAN KOLEY, TAMAN JINMA
43300 SERI KEMBANGAN SELANGOR D.E.
Malaysia

Jeffrey Foong
Tel: 0389480469
Fax: 0389414458

you need really good frames and yes, you better get safety glass + security film + another layer of safety glass + laminate film. (this is how bullet proof glass is made... layers of film between the glass). it's really pretty safe - probably as good as a normal grill and you cant just saw. you need a big hammer (like 2kg+) and it will make a huge noise. no chance of a hush hush break and enter. if you combine it with motion sensors before the windows i'd think it's a safer + nicer option.

the people who did mine (not upwards but the installation was done by idiots so i wont recommend them to anyone, upwards was recommended by AUBI in Germany to rectify the issues we had with our system) showed me how tough the glass is. tried it myself.... you really need to make several good and heavy swings. otherwise the best you can do is crack the outer glass. anyway your frame must be able to hold the heavy glass and also it should be multi-point burgler proof frames closing all around. germany windows are fine i guess. ask around. price is high though.

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Added on May 25, 2010, 9:36 pmoh for ventilation you can make only the top say 20 cm openable and the rest fixed. that way you tilt.... only 10cm space -.... cant get in. cant open handle fully either. pretty good

This post has been edited by PJusa: May 25 2010, 09:36 PM

kathlynn,

this will depend on your window design and all. ours was custom design with burgler proof window frames + security glass (glass+security film+ burgler proof glas+tinted security film) + aubi handles and closing mechanism but nothing fancy with respect to window openings, used closed bottom and openable top as per our custom design. after very very hard negotiation (we didnt use upwards mind you) it was still almost 80 RM / sqft. it will however totally depend on what you choose. if you use more basic frames and less openable windowparts you can greatly reduce costs alo larger glass areas will cut costs. we got a lot of quotes for various qualities and the range was between 40 RM/sqft (lowest but really not good) and 160 RM / sqft (insane....). the installer we ended choosing was totally incompetent. if you decide to go for one, i can let you know whom to avoid like the plague as mentioned AUBI germany was very sorry about the poor job done and recommended to use upwards to solve our remaining problems. dont want to get to detailed here.

what you should make sure is that you have doubleglazed glass of some sort and get a finishing car-tint (we used raybarrier) that way the window will keep heat + noise out. this system is enough to keep the smaller differences in temperature here out of the house. also make sure the frames have double seal system (one for dust/noise and one for water). locking should be on side opposite the hinges and and the other two remaining sides with multi-point lock-system, pins must be mushroom headed (like the picture). burgler-proof window glass should follow this norm: DIN EN 356, class P 4 A, P3 should also be fine though. if you are really scared get P6 or higher, this means you need 30-70 hits with an axe to get an opening of 40cm size. if you use only one glass of burglar proof glass, place it inside, that way the normal glass breaks first wich can cause cuts more easily.
if you dont use security glass, then use anti-burgler glass. class A2 for normal security and if really scared B1 or B2 - security as for the security glass.

hope this helps.


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as far as i know it's all about the security class not mere thickness. if the glass doesnt meet the specs, thickness doesnt help you much.

that is not true, vexus. first off the laminate is inside and in our example between two window panes. this is basically how bullet proff glass is made. glass + laminate + glass + laminate + etc.

if you buy the security class i suggested there will be absolutely no way you can use a pen knife to get inside. the best you would be able to do is cause a small scratch if any to the window. go and try it at a vendor's sample glass. while you're there you can also do the axe-swing test. if you can do it with less than the required smashes for the respective class, its not the class they claim it to be.
what you can do if someone has laminate outside (which would be pretty stupid) is to cut the laminate itself and maybe peel it a bit. but you still wont be able to get into the window.

once again, please do a readup on how security glass works or better even go and try it. you will see that what you said has no relation to proper security glass vexus.

cause its not easy. you should have exits in front and back that are safe but can be opened easily from inside (i.e. security doors). if you have a good frame it will be almost burglar proof but can be opened easily from inside too. so no need to break the window.

@kathlynn - guess so

if you buy a real security or burglar proof window (and not some crappy aftermarkete lamination product) you will be able to tell the difference. read my earlier post about classifications and the such and check out how those windows *really* work. of course it comes at a price but what doesnt.

you can opt for windows with a double window layout: i.e. openable at the buttom that you keep closed and tilt top part (say 1 foot 1 1/2) which you can open while noone can squeeze through the opening. so you wont need a grill if you air the place.