Holiday Season Home Security: What Your Windows and Doors Are Telling Burglars

The FBI consistently reports higher rates of residential burglary in the fourth quarter, peaking in December. The reasons are straightforward: homes are left unattended more during travel, high-value gifts are visible through windows, and shorter daylight hours provide cover. Your windows and doors are the primary entry points — here's how impact glass factors in.

How Most Break-Ins Actually Happen

Despite what movies suggest, most residential burglaries involve very little sophisticated technique. The majority of entries are through unlocked doors and windows (about 30%), followed by forced entry at doors (about 60%), with window glass breakage accounting for a smaller percentage. Professional burglars work fast and avoid attention — they don't want to struggle.

What Impact Glass Does to the Calculation

Standard single or double-pane glass breaks quickly, quietly, and reliably when struck. Impact glass does not. The PVB interlayer means that even if the outer pane cracks, the interlayer holds everything in place — it doesn't shatter into an opening. Creating a hole large enough to reach through or climb through in impact glass requires sustained effort, significant noise, and time.

From a deterrence standpoint: a burglar who encounters resistance moves to the next house. Impact glass, visible to someone probing an entry point, is a meaningful deterrent.

Door Hardware Matters Equally

An impact-rated door in a weak frame is only as strong as its weakest point. Key hardware considerations:

• Deadbolts with 1-inch throw — A longer bolt engages more of the door frame strike plate, dramatically increasing kick-in resistance.
• Reinforced strike plates — The standard strike plate on most residential doors is held by short screws that pull out easily under force. A 3-inch screw into the door frame stud changes this completely.
• Multi-point locking — Impact French and sliding doors with multi-point systems engage at three or more points, making forced entry extremely difficult.

The Holiday-Specific Checklist

• Test every door lock and window latch before traveling
• Use smart plugs or timers on interior lights to simulate occupancy
• Don't leave large boxes from gift deliveries visible at the curb
• Tell a trusted neighbor you'll be away
• Confirm your alarm system is active and monitoring