Would you put smart tech on every window or just stick with doors?

I hear you on the battery shuffle - I had the same thing happen with my first setup. I thought I was being clever putting sensors on every single window, but by month three, I was regretting it every time the app pinged me for low batteries. Now I just cover the main doors and the basement too. Curious, has anyone tried those glass break sensors instead of window contacts? Wondering if that’s a happy medium or just another thing to maintain...

I hear you on the battery shuffle - I had the same thing happen with my first setup.

I ran into the same issue with battery changes - felt like I was always swapping something out. Ended up scaling back to just doors and a couple of windows that are easy targets. Tried glass break sensors for a while. They’re less hassle than window contacts, but still need testing and occasional battery changes. Honestly, they’re not perfect - sometimes loud noises set them off, sometimes they miss actual glass breaking. For me, fewer sensors and strategic placement worked better than trying to cover everything.

- Ran into the same thing with batteries - felt like I was always climbing a ladder or searching for that one weird size.
- I usually tell folks: focus on doors and maybe basement windows, unless you’ve got ground-level access all around.
- Glass break sensors are nice in theory, but I’ve had them trigger from thunder or even a dropped pan.
- My own place? Just the main entry points and one window that’s hidden from the street. Less hassle, and honestly, I sleep better not worrying about false alarms every time the dog barks.
- Sometimes less really is more with this stuff...

Glass break sensors are nice in theory, but I’ve had them trigger from thunder or even a dropped pan.

That’s exactly why I ditched mine after a month. My cat knocked over a glass and - yep, full siren mode. I’m with you: doors and maybe the odd window that’s tucked away. Less stuff to maintain, less to worry about when the weather acts up.

That’s the thing - after a few false alarms, I just stuck to door sensors and one on the basement window that’s hidden behind a bush. Way less hassle. If someone’s breaking in, it’s probably not through every single window, right? Curious if anyone here actually covers all their windows and finds it worth the extra setup and batteries.

I get wanting less hassle, but I keep wondering if we’re just making it easier for someone who checks the “hidden” spots. Like,

If someone’s breaking in, it’s probably not through every single window, right?

I get where you’re coming from. It’s so easy to fall into the “if they want in, they’ll find a way” mindset, but the truth is, most break-ins seem to happen through the obvious spots - doors, ground-floor windows, maybe the garage. Still, I’ve always wondered about those less obvious points too. In my own place (built in the 60s, so not exactly a fortress), we had a break-in attempt years ago and it was actually through a back upstairs window that wasn’t even locked properly. The guy used a ladder from our shed. Never would’ve guessed that was the weak spot until it happened.

Honestly, after that, I went a bit overboard and put sensors on every window, even the little bathroom ones. I thought it’d be a pain to set up, but once you’re already running wires or syncing wireless stuff, adding a few more sensors doesn’t make things that much harder. Maybe an extra hour or two tops. And once it’s done, you don’t have to think about it again - unless you’re like me and obsessively check the app every time you leave for vacation.

I wouldn’t call it overkill if it gives you peace of mind. The cost does add up if you’re paying per sensor (some brands are ridiculous), but for me, it was worth not having to second-guess whether I’d covered all my bases. Plus, burglars tend to go for the easiest target. If they see you’ve got everything covered - even those “hidden” windows - they might just move on.

Not saying everyone needs to go full Fort Knox, but if you’re already setting up smart tech, throwing in some extra sensors isn’t as much hassle as it sounds. And yeah, maybe nobody’s coming in through your upstairs bathroom window…but after what happened here, I’m never assuming again.

The cost does add up if you’re paying per sensor (some brands are ridiculous), but for me, it was worth not having to second-guess whether I’d covered all my bases.

I get that, but I’d argue there’s a balance. Every extra sensor draws power - battery or mains - which adds up over time. I’d rather focus on the main points of entry and invest in better insulation or smart thermostats. Security’s important, but so’s not making your house a tech energy hog.

- Totally get the peace of mind thing - knowing every window’s covered does help you sleep easier.
- That said, I’m with you on the “balance” part. Like you mentioned,

“Every extra sensor draws power - battery or mains - which adds up over time.”

Everyone’s comfort level with security is different… but yeah, not keen on turning my house into a low-key server farm either.

I’ve had similar issues with battery life - cold snaps seem to drain them way faster than expected, especially on north-facing windows. I ended up prioritizing the main entry points too, and honestly, I haven’t noticed any drop in peace of mind. Out of curiosity, has anyone tried hardwired sensors in older homes? I’ve considered it, but not sure if the hassle of retrofitting is worth it compared to just swapping out batteries every so often.

I’ve wondered about hardwiring too, but my place is old enough that just fishing ethernet through the walls was a pain - can’t imagine dealing with a bunch of sensor wires. Swapping batteries every year or two is annoying, but at least it’s predictable. Cold weather definitely eats through them faster though... I just stick to doors and maybe a couple windows that are easy to get to.

- Totally get the pain with old houses and wires. My place is a 70s special - fishing anything through those walls is like playing Jenga with my sanity.
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Swapping batteries every year or two is annoying, but at least it’s predictable.

I get the logic behind just covering the main doors and a few windows, but I’ve seen a lot of break-ins where folks got creative - basement windows, garage side doors, even those tiny bathroom windows nobody thinks about. It’s definitely a pain dealing with batteries (and yeah, winter just kills them), but if you want to minimize hassle and still cover more ground, you might look into hardwired sensors for the trickier spots. Not always possible with older walls, but sometimes you can run low-voltage cable through closets or unfinished basements without too much drywall surgery.

Motion sensors are good as a backup, but I’ve seen pets set them off or people forget to arm them when they’re home. For me, it’s a mix - critical spots get sensors, less obvious entries get glass break detectors or motions. Just depends how much peace of mind you want versus maintenance headaches.

I hear you on those weird entry points - had a client once who got broken into through a window behind their dryer vent. Never would’ve guessed that spot. I’m with you about hardwiring where you can, but sometimes running cable in old houses is like playing hide-and-seek with studs and insulation. I usually tell folks: doors and main windows for sure, then pick your battles on the rest. Battery changes are a pain, but I’d rather swap a few every winter than patch drywall all summer.

- Main entry doors and ground-floor windows get priority for me - those are where I see most issues in older homes.
- Upstairs windows? Only if there’s easy roof or tree access.
- Hardwiring’s great, but fishing wire through lath and plaster is a nightmare.
- Ever dealt with retrofitting in a house with balloon framing? Curious how others handle those hidden cavities.

Hardwiring’s great, but fishing wire through lath and plaster is a nightmare.

You’re not kidding about that. I’ve spent hours trying to fish wire through lath and plaster, only to hit unexpected fire stops. In my 1920s place, I finally gave up and went wireless for the windows - especially on the second floor. Balloon framing is tricky, but I found using flexible rods and a small inspection camera helped me avoid opening up too much wall. Your approach to prioritize ground-level entries makes a lot of sense, especially given the effort involved.

I finally gave up and went wireless for the windows - especially on the second floor.

Honestly, I don’t blame you. I wrestled with lath and plaster in my old house too, and after a couple of busted knuckles and way too much patching, I also decided wireless was the way to go for upper floors. Prioritizing ground-level entries just feels practical. I get the appeal of full coverage, but sometimes you have to weigh convenience against theoretical risk. For most folks, doors and accessible windows are where it matters most.

- Gotta push back a bit on this:

sometimes you have to weigh convenience against theoretical risk

I ran into the same debate last year when I upgraded my alarm system. Ended up putting sensors on every window, even upstairs. It felt like overkill at first, but after seeing how easy it is to pop a window with a crowbar (neighbor’s place got hit), it made sense. Wireless sensors made the install way less of a headache, especially with plaster walls - just had to be careful about signal drop in some corners. If you’re already invested in smart tech, I think it’s worth the extra coverage, even if it’s just for peace of mind.

I used to think sensors on every window was a bit much, too, but after living through a break-in (they came through an upstairs window - never would’ve guessed), I’m firmly in the “cover everything” camp now. It’s wild how fast someone can get in if they’re determined, and honestly, the peace of mind is worth the extra sensors for me.

That said, I totally get the hesitation. The cost adds up quick, especially if you’ve got a lot of windows or weird layouts. Wireless sensors are a game-changer though - I’ve got an old house with thick plaster and lath walls, and running wires would’ve been a nightmare. Had to move a couple of sensors around at first to get the signal right, but once they settled in, it’s been smooth sailing.

One thing I noticed: some of my friends just do doors and basement windows, figuring nobody’s going to climb up to the second floor. But after what happened to me, I’m not so sure that logic holds up anymore. Maybe it depends on your neighborhood? Or if you’ve got big trees or a porch roof near those upper windows?

Curious if anyone’s tried those glass break sensors instead of contact sensors for every single window. Seems like it could be a good compromise, but I haven’t messed with them myself. Do they actually work as well as advertised, or is it just another layer of tech that ends up being more hassle than it’s worth?