How To Improve Garden Security

Gardens are intended to be a place of sanctuary and solitude. However, to would-be criminals, gardens can appear as a welcoming beacon to gain access to your property. Likewise, to create damage or steal from within the garden itself. 

Whether you have been a victim of crime at your current property, or if you want to ensure your garden isn’t a magnet for criminals going forward, then there are steps you can take to improve the secureness of your outdoor spaces. 

If you’re looking for some aesthetic tips for garden design, have a read through our blog on 2023 garden trends to create a space you love.

Here are our top tips on what to look out for. Remember, if you’re also interested in securing your home with custom-built, high-quality aluminium windows, simply give us a call on the number at the top of this page.

Your fence is the first line of defence between the public street and your property. Yet so often, fences do not do an adequate job of keeping unwanted individuals off your property. Remember, if you’re able to hop over the fence – anyone else can do the same. 

Some issues to look out for include:

• Fences that are too low (fences can legally be as high as 6.6ft)
• Fences that have any vulnerabilities, such as broken or missing panels
• Fences that have no security-enhancing features, such as anti-climbing spikes

Granted, security features may make a fence look less aesthetically pleasing. So, depending on whether it is a residential or business property, the security features may need to be adapted.

However, not going to all the applicable lengths to protect the boundary of your property through secure fencing will create opportunities for criminals. 

Electric gates restrict access to the front of a property unless the person has access to a pin number. Any visitors will have to call through to the property at the front of the gate, with the gate not opening unless the person inside approves access. In addition, a postal box is positioned at the front of the gate to allow for mail to still get through.

The price of electric gates ranges from £1,000 to £3,000 on average, making them a considerable financial investment. However, the benefits are that it will become much more difficult for unwelcome individuals to cross into your property from this point onwards. With the addition of a camera at the front of most gates, you can also visually see each person who approaches your property with the intention of entering it also. 

If there’s one thing criminals don’t appreciate, it’s when they are interrupted by a strong beam of light that suddenly makes them visible to those all around, including any CCTV cameras. 

As the name suggests, motion sensor lighting will turn itself on when motion is detected. So, if you’re unsure whether someone is in the garden, having the lights turn automatically will instantly give you the answer while acting as a huge deterrent for intruders. 

The likes of sheds, greenhouses and even garden offices may all contain valuable items worth stealing. But if such buildings are protected with adequate safety features, then the chance of crime occurring is far less likely.

Aspects to look out for include the locking mechanisms of the building, plus window protection for single-glazing. Also, avoid leaving garden tools around or any other object that could be used to gain access to any outbuildings or, indeed, your actual property. 

If all else fails and intruders do get into your garden, the last line of defence is the quality of your windows and doors. 

Windows that aren’t secure are one of the easiest ways for intruders to gain access to your home, whether the windows are located on the ground floor or on the upper floors. 

Some of the aspects to look out for with your windows are:

The integrity of the frames – wooden windows are prone to disintegrate over time, making it easy for intruders to prize open the mechanisms.

The quality of the locking system – The more points the window lock has, the better. If the window will not lock, this is a huge security vulnerability. Found out more from our blog on the different types of window locks.

Single glazed windows – With only one pane of glass separating the outside world from your property, single glazed windows do not offer enough protection. Consider upgrading your windows with double or triple glazing or adding secondary glazing for added protection. 

We hope the above tips will give you food for thought when it comes to improving your garden security.

If you’re interested in that last step of upgrading your windows with the latest technology, then you’re in the right place. Here at ABS, we are a leading supplier and installer of aluminium windows, based in Nottingham and operating across the UK.

If you’d like any further advice on improving the security of your windows, or aluminium windows or doors in general, please get in touch. You can send us your query either by dropping us an email or giving us a call on 01623 721 172 for further help or information.