Garage security- let them look in the window or not?

[KYErik]

My wife and I purchased an older house, detached garage and 15+ acres a couple of years ago (it is very near my parents' farm). As it is several hours away, we only get out there one weekend a month. We plan on moving as soon as a job opens up in that area.

The detached garage is a metal 3 car garage (a Morton building) with a single steel walk in door on one end which is always locked. The door has a window which is about 4 inches wide and 3 feet tall.

In the far bay (clearly visible from the window) is a late 70's truck in poor condition (lots of rust, but mechanically sound), in the closest bay is an old rusty Case tractor, and "hidden" from view behind the Case tractor in the middle bay is a 15 year old riding lawn mower.

So far, I have left the garage window unobstructed so a would be thief can look at what is inside. And for the past 2 years, no one has broken in.

Relatives help us keep the yard mowed in the summer and I have lights on a timer in the house, so it "appears" that someone might live there. I keep the shades closed on all the house windows that could be peeked into from the outside.

Leaving the garage walk in door's window unobstructed has worked fine so far but it could tip someone off that no one lives in the house (the truck is always there and always parked in exactly the same spot). Although there are no valuables in the house (other than $20 worth of hand tools) I'd still rather it not be broken into (would cost lots of $ to replace a busted door or window).

So what would you do with a garage beside a vacant house? Let people see inside or block the window with a piece of cardboard? Might cardboard in the garage window make someone more curious about what I am "hiding"?

 

[Sutol]

A double barrel sitting in a packing case pointing at the window with a string tied to the triggers might put them off

 

[TripleR]

I spent over thirty years trying to figure out what criminals might do or what might deter them and I still am clueless. Some break in for money and some for fun as odd as that sounds. Stealing copper has gotten pretty popular, so while you think you have nothing of value in your house and garage, thief is going to think otherwise.

I would be inclined to put frosting on the glass or deep tinting rather than cardboard. Motion sensor lights might also be a consideration. You can get "helpful hints" on home burglary prevention from most Sheriff/Police Departments.

Absolutely nothing will stop a determined thief, but you can reduce the odds.

 

[GolfAddict]

If someone is looking in the window in anticipation of breaking in, most likely they have guessed no one is around. My thinking would be that hopefully they decide there is nothing there worth bothering with and move on. Something over the window may indeed make them suspect you are trying to hide something of value, so they break in only to leave - but you're still left with the damage.

If it is kids being vandals or someone looking for a place to cook meth or something, probably won't make any difference if they can see anything of value in there or not, same for the house.

My opinion is you may want to leave it uncovered. It may deter the type that would only take the step of actually breaking in to a place to steal if they can see items of value readily available - or in this case not take the step of B&E if they cannot see anything worthwhile. Someone who is breaking in to search for items of value or to steal copper, etc., or for other reasons altogether like cooking meth, won't be deterred either way. So by not hiding the contents, you may actually deter the one set of jerks...

 

[300UGUY]

I had windows in my overhead garage door. I replaced the door with one without windows. I don't want anybody looking in, crooks or not.

 

[murphy1244]

I used a can of black spray paint and shot the glass from a foot away, just enough to smoke it. And a sticker on the door that says" Never mind the dog, beware of owner".

 

[Johnp33]

My neighbour use to install garage doors, and when he installed the door the one question he asked was were do you want the row with the windows. For security he recommended they be at the top. That way you got the light, but it made looking in just that little bit harder.
Just a thought!

 

[Combustix]

an alarm company sticker in the window may help

 

[mrmikey]

I'd cover the windows with a curtain or something similar. I had a package garage built a couple of years ago that came with a window, told them to leave it out. I've got no windows either in the garage or door, sucks that you don't have any natural light but I think it's more secure......Mike

 

[Toyboy]

I've got some Menards vinyl mini blinds on my windows. They'll cut them to width but you have to adjust the length.