A place with window guards is a good sign of security. Window guards are a security measure to prevent children (ten years and younger), from falling off the windows. But there will be a time that these guards no longer become a necessity, which is why we need to know how to remove window guards.
Whether you’re planning to replace your old window guards or planning to put screens in its place, we will give you some quick steps on how to remove window guards.
Quick Steps To Remove Window Guards
Working on how to remove window guards will require a lot of handy work. Most window guards are attached to windows using one-way security screws. These screws are designed with different heads. It is made this way so that a regular screwdriver will not be used to remove them. There may be special screwdrivers capable of removing one-way screws, but it will be challenging to find them in your regular home improvement center. You should still be able to find some tools that will remove those one-way screws from your window guard.
Let’s get started. The first thing to do is to determine what type of head your window guards use. We will divide these into three:
- Thick screw head
- Thin screw head
- Flushed or indented screw head
Removing A Thick Screw Head From Window Guards
OPTION 1 – With a rotary tool. Locate the area at the top of your security screw. Using a rotary tool, cut a slot above it. If the screw has a thick head, you can use a cutting wheel.
OPTION 2 – With a cutting wheel. Put the cutting wheel in the rotary tool and cut the slot on the top of the screw head.
NOTE: Do NOT cut too deep into the screw head. It must not exceed half the thickness of the screw head.
OPTION 3 – With a hacksaw. Attach two of the hacksaw blades to the hacksaw and create the slot. You can do this the same way you would with a single hacksaw blade.
- STEP 1 – Position your flat-head screwdriver into the slot
- STEP 2 – Press the screwdriver with force turning the screw counterclockwise
- STEP 3 – Turn the screw counterclockwise until the screw is removed from the window guard.
Removing A Thin Screw Head From Window Guards
STEP 1 – File the thin screw head using a medium-coarse file. Filing the screw head can flatten the screw head to be ready for the next step.
NOTE: Do NOT completely flatten the screw head. You want to leave a little thickness so you can still grab it with some pliers.
STEP 2 – Clasp the jaws of your locking pliers around the thin screw head. You may do this as tightly as possible.
TIP: It is better to use rounded-jaw locking pliers instead of flat-jaw locking pliers until you can achieve a tighter grip.
STEP 3 – Turn the thin screw head in a counterclockwise motion with your locking pliers until you are able to remove the screw from the window guard.
Removing A Flushed Screw Head From Window Guards
STEP 1 – Drill the screw out from the window guard. You should use a bit that has the same diameter as the screw head.
STEP 2 – Pull the window guard after you drill out all the screw heads
STEP 3 – Pull the remaining screw shafts with your pliers. After you do this, you can turn the screw heads counterclockwise until you can remove them from the mounting surface.
Advantages and Disadvantages Of Window Guards
Window guards are meant to protect children from falling out of the windows, but they still have other advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a closer look at window guards.
Advantages:
- Child protection. This is a requirement for some residences, especially with children ten years and below.
- Theft-deterrent. When burglars see window guards, they become doubtful of entering the home, especially when this is located on the first floor.
Disadvantages:
- Window guards can trap you inside during an emergency. In the event of a fire or a burglary, you will lose another way of escape.
- It will be hard for firefighters to access the interiors with window guards.
- Window guards might give the wrong impression to prospective buyers of the property. It gives the impression of an unsafe neighborhood or area.
If you feel that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages, there’s another solution.
Modern window guards are installed with a quick-release mechanism. These mechanisms are designed to give the same security and protection while allowing you to open the bars quickly from the inside.
NOTE: It is not recommended to use models that need a key for opening or tools for removal. The mechanism needs to be located with ease and should be opened with just a little force. Though one of the significant benefits of window bars is to help protect children and prevent them from falling out of the window, older children should still know how to operate it in the event of an emergency. Find out more about Window Guards.
Conclusion
There are many ways you can secure your home. Window guards are one of the things you need to install in your residence to ensure your safety. It is especially useful when you live in a condominium. But when your children no longer need any form of protection from windows, it is helpful to know how to remove window guards.