Looking After Clear Burglar Bars – 4 Care Pointers

What are clear burglar bars?

Clear burglar bars, also called polycarbonate burglar bars, have become very popular and the name gives the reason why: they are clear and see-through. They are an excellent alternative to metal burglar bars and a good choice for homes and offices that do not have a high crime risk. This is because they are not as strong as metal burglar proofing.

People much prefer burglar proofing that is not too obvious, which is why polycarbonate bars are so appealing. They look much nicer than more traditional, cluttered steel burglar bars and do not block the view of the outside because the polycarbonate is almost invisible.

The most common form of clear burglar bars available are made from Polycarbonate. This is a thermoplastic material that is used in engineering because it is strong, tough and see-through. It can also be moulded to make bullet-proof glass, lenses for reading glasses, shatter-proof glass and many other applications.

Polycarbonate plastic is easily moulded into strips and these strips can be fitted to windows as virtually invisible burglar proofing.

Where clear burglar bars are used

Clear burglar bars like Poly Guard are an excellent form of burglar proofing for windows. They have several benefits, some of which may be perfect for you depending on your requirements at home or at the office:

• It is very easy to fit to any type of window.
• It naturally filters UV rays.
• It is strong and not easy to break.
• It is tough enough to resist a moderate attack.
• It prevents monkeys from getting inside homes and making a mess.

Polycarbonate see-through burglar proofing strips are often used for windows in:

• Golf estates and other cluster homes where more visible burglar bars are banned.
• Gated communities and housing estates where the risk of serious crime is low.
• Upstairs windows that are unlikely to be broken into by burglars.
• Coastal homes, where corrosion is a problem because Polycarbonate bars don’t rust.
• Homes where troops of monkeys often get inside homes and cause chaos.
• Game lodges, where monkeys and other animals can be a problem.
• Country estates, where animals are part of the attraction, but you don’t want them inside.
• Office buildings where there isn’t a high risk of crime, but some sort of barrier is needed as a deterrent to thieves.

Framed Polycarbonate bars

Most Polycarbonate bars are simply screwed into the window frame. If not properly done, they can damage the window frame and are also fairly easy to kick out with some force. Even if the installer does a neat job, the Polycarbonate strips are not a reliable way of preventing criminals from getting into your home.

Trellidor came up with a great solution that turns polycarbonate strips into a far better form of barrier security. The company manufactures a Poly Guard that has a full, four-sided frame extruded aluminium frame. The polycarbonate strips are fitted securely into this frame.

The sturdy frame makes the Poly Guard unit very neat and makes it a lot stronger than other versions. This framed Trellidor Poly Guard unit is fitted into the wall around the window using tamper-proof fixings. The result is a tidy, strong version of this great product.

Because the frame is made from aluminium, it is light and slimline. It can be powder coated in a colour to suit the home’s colour palette or to blend in with the colour of the window frames.

Trellidor customizes Poly Guard with adjustable panels that allow for customized gap sizes. They are also able to accommodate window handles and hinges so there are no problems with opening windows after the Polycarbonate burglar bars have been fitted.

How to look after clear burglar bars

Like all burglar bars, Polycarbonate bars need regular cleaning to stay in top condition. Trellidor has the following advice for looking after your Poly Guard:

• Never use abrasive detergents to wipe down or clean the Polycarbonate slats or frame.
• Detergent or solvent based cleaners such as scouring agents, dishwashing liquids, washing powders and thinners could reduce the expected life of the product.

How to clean Polycarbonate Burglar Bars

To make sure your polycarbonate burglar bars last a long time, carefully read the supplier’s cleaning and care advice, cleaning interval guide and product warranty. The polycarbonate bars should be cleaned regularly to keep the warranty valid.

Here are 4 care pointers for cleaning polycarbonate burglar bars:

1. Clean your Polycarbonate Burglar Bars regularly to keep them dirt and dust free.
2. Use a soft cotton cloth and a premium quality (salt free) car wash liquid, mixed with water as per manufacturer’s directions.
3. Hard to reach areas can be cleaned with a soft nylon bristle brush such as a dishwashing brush.
4. Dry the polycarbonate bars with a soft cotton cloth or chamois.

How often to clean your Polycarbonate burglar bars

You can clean your polycarbonate burglar bars as often as you like so that they look good all the time.

Or you can follow this guide from Trellidor:

• If you live more than 10km from the beachfront, clean them a minimum of every 6 months.
• If you live 5km to 10km from the beachfront, clean them a minimum of every 2 to 3 months.
• If you live 500m to 5km from the beachfront, clean them a minimum of every 2 to 4 weeks.
• If you live within 500m of the beachfront, clean them a minimum of every 1 to 2 weeks because this is a severe marine environment.

‘Beachfront’ refers to breaking surf air borne moisture. Fresh water lakes are not considered as marine areas. But heavy industrial areas are considered as corrosive as marine environments, so take care of your Poly Guard burglar proofing in polluted environments the same way as in marine conditions.

The recommended maintenance intervals provided are for general guidance as local environmental conditions may differ.

If in doubt, contact your local Trellidor franchise and the experts there will guide you.