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

I get the urge to sensor every window after a break-in, but honestly, I went the lazy route and just did doors and basement windows. My logic: if someone’s determined enough to haul themselves up to my second floor, they probably deserve whatever’s in my sock drawer. I tried glass break sensors in the living room - mixed results. My dog barking set one off once, but then a neighbor’s kid chucked a baseball at the window (don’t ask), and nothing happened... Kind of makes me wonder if it’s just expensive décor at this point.

I get where you're coming from - after our neighbor's place got hit, I wanted to sensor every possible entry too. But honestly, I just did the main floor windows and doors. Ever try those vibration sensors? I found them more reliable than glass break ones, especially with pets around. Still, sometimes I wonder if it’s overkill. Do you ever feel like you’re just chasing peace of mind rather than actual security?

I totally get that urge to cover every possible entry point. When we moved in, I started mapping out all the windows and doors, thinking about sensors everywhere. In the end, I just did the main floor, too - basement windows felt like overkill since they’re tiny and barely open. I tried glass break sensors at first but my dog kept setting them off with his barking, so I switched to vibration ones. Honestly, sometimes I wonder if it’s more about feeling in control than actually stopping anything… but then again, sleeping better counts for something, right?

Funny you mention the mapping thing - I did the exact same spreadsheet when we bought our place. I even color-coded it for "must-have," "nice-to-have," and "am I just being paranoid?" Ended up only doing sensors on the main floor windows and doors, too. The basement ones are those old-school crank types, barely big enough for a raccoon to squeeze through (though I guess raccoons are crafty...).

I tried glass break sensors once in my last house, but between my son’s trumpet practice and our neighbor’s yappy terrier, it was like living inside a pinball machine. Vibration sensors sound clever, but I always wonder if they’d go off during one of those random earthquakes we get here.

Honestly, sometimes I think all this tech is less about actual security and more about giving me something to tinker with in the evenings. But yeah, if it helps you sleep better, that counts for a lot. Peace of mind's worth a few false alarms now and then... right?

That spreadsheet approach is exactly what I did, too. I started mapping out every entry point and then realized how ridiculous it would be to stick sensors on every single window - especially the ones that haven’t been opened since the Clinton administration. Like you, I focused on main floor doors and windows. The basement windows in my place are those tiny hopper types, half buried behind shrubs and spiderwebs. If someone wants to break in through there, they’ve earned whatever junk they can haul out.

I hear you on glass break sensors. I tried one in the living room for a while, but it went off twice - once when my kid dropped a glass bowl, and another time during a thunderstorm that rattled the old windows. After that, I just unplugged it and stuck with contact sensors. Vibration sensors sound cool in theory, but with how often our washing machine decides to go into “launch mode,” I’m pretty sure we’d get more alerts than actual laundry done.

Honestly, sometimes I wonder if all this security tech is just an excuse for me to play with gadgets after work. Half the fun is tweaking automations or figuring out why something didn’t trigger at 2am (usually a cat). But yeah, even if it’s overkill sometimes, knowing that the important points are covered does make it easier to relax at night.

One thing I will say - I spent way too much time debating whether to cover upstairs windows. At the end of the day, if someone’s climbing up there with a ladder, they’re probably more determined than your average porch pirate. Not sure any sensor’s gonna stop them... but maybe that’s just me being lazy about changing batteries.

Curious if anyone actually had vibration sensors save them from anything real? Or is it mostly false alarms and cat acrobatics?

I’m right there with you on the “if they want it that bad, let ’em wrestle the spiders.” I’ve never bothered with vibration sensors either. Between the dog, the dryer, and the occasional earthquake-level snore, I’d be drowning in false alarms. Main floor and doors just make sense - anything else feels like overkill unless you’re guarding gold bars or something.

I get the logic of skipping the windows, especially if you’re not living in Fort Knox, but I’d argue there’s a sneaky energy angle here. I put contact sensors on a few “problem” windows - mainly the ones the kids always forget to close when the AC’s cranking or the heat’s on. It’s saved me from heating the backyard more than once. Not saying every window needs a sensor (my wallet would revolt), but a couple in the right spots can actually make the place run smoother and cut down on those “why’s it freezing in here?” moments.

Vibration sensors, though... hard pass. One time my dryer set off a test unit and I thought the house was under siege. Maybe one day they’ll be smarter, but until then, I’m with you - no need to sensor every square inch unless you’ve got a secret stash of gold bullion.

I totally get your point about the energy angle. This line made me laugh:

It’s saved me from heating the backyard more than once.

I just moved into my first place last year, and I went through this exact debate. Here’s what worked for me:

1. Put sensors on every door. That’s a no-brainer.
2. Pick the two or three windows that actually get opened - usually kitchen and bedroom for me - and slap a sensor on those.
3. Ignore the rest unless you like spending money for fun.

I tried one vibration sensor on a basement window and, yeah, it went off when a truck rumbled by. Not worth the headache. Contact sensors are enough to remind me (or my partner) if we left something open before cranking the heat.

Honestly, unless you’ve got a house full of forgetful people or pets with opposable thumbs, I’d say just target the “problem” spots. Wallet stays happy, and I don’t have to check an app every time a breeze rolls through.

- Agree on the doors for sure - those get used way more.
- I only did sensors on two windows (bathroom and kitchen). The rest stay locked year-round.
- Tried a motion sensor once, but my cat set it off constantly... not worth the drama.
- Unless you’ve got a mansion, more sensors just feel like overkill.

- Totally makes sense to focus on doors first - most break-ins I’ve seen come through there, not windows.
- I’ve installed full window sensors for folks who travel a lot or have ground-level bedrooms, but honestly, most people don’t use every single one. Too much hassle keeping up with batteries and false alarms.
- Motion sensors are tricky with pets. Unless you go for the pricier pet-immune models, it’s just a headache.
- If you’re in a high-crime area or have a lot of valuables, maybe worth the extra coverage... but for most homes, doors plus maybe a couple key windows is plenty.