A Cheap, Easy Way To Secure Sliding Windows
By Benjamen Johnson
These inexpensive little locks will secure a sliding window while it’s open, much like putting a nail in the sash keeps a double-hung window from opening far enough for someone to enter. Unlike a nail though, you can easily remove, replace, change their position, or even use them to keep the window shut.
Prime-Line extrudes these locks from aluminum and lines the middle of channel with vinyl inserts to protect the window track. The locks fit both wide and narrow tracks — just position the lock where you want it and tighten the thumbscrew.
Two of these locks can cost you as little as a buck, but unfortunately that’s without exorbitant shipping charges. You’re probably better off finding something like them locally.
Sliding Window Lock [Prime-Line]
Sliding Window Lock (PDF)
Street Pricing [Google]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]
April 16th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Yep. I have at least one on all my windows. Much better peace of mind when leaving a window cracked open all night.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Not as cheap as a scrap of 1x cut to the right length!
obviously they would still work better on a single or double-hung window, but I’m guessing that they may only work on a vinyl window judging by the size of that opening - I know at least Pella windows offer limited opening hardware.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
I used to use a wood screw for this purpose, but of course, only on old, worn out windows. I wouldn’t want to do that with brand new vinyl ones! This is worth checking out….
April 16th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
I found them (or something very similar) at Home Depot for around a three bucks. They work well for windows and sliding patio doors.
April 16th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Anyone have any tips for securing old casement windows? I’ve got a few at street level that I’d love to keep open a bit for air flow in the summer but don’t dare in my neighborhood.
April 17th, 2009 at 8:02 am
Jim K.; I’m looking for something similar. Right now its just some 2×4’s cut to length with latches. Something that allows me to open/close them a little faster (and looks a little better) would be nice…
April 19th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
These are nice peace of mind for a cracked window at night, but be careful of leaving a window open much further with nobody at home. I used these to secure a window with about a 3″ gap even when away from home - until someone pointed out that 3″ is enough to use the sliding window as a battering ram & drive the stop off. I used stops with pointy screws that bit into the aluminum track, but they still come right off. Not as worrisome with only a 1/2″ gap - still a little airflow.