13 Ways to Secure Your Windows in an Apartment

You know, when you start living alone—especially in an apartment—it’s easy to overlook your windows. 

Doors get all the attention, but windows are just as important. They can be an easy way in if someone really wants to try.

I remember the first time I moved into my own place, I didn’t think twice about my windows until I realized just how easy they were to slide open from the outside. That was a wake-up call.

If you’re living alone (or even if you’re not), you deserve to feel safe. 

The good news? Securing your windows doesn’t have to be expensive, complicated, or something your landlord will yell at you for.

I put together 13 renter-friendly, practical ways you can make your apartment windows more secure. 

These aren’t about scaring you—they’re about giving you more peace of mind, so you can relax in your own home without second-guessing every creak at night.

Let’s go through them one by one.

1. Install Window Locks

One of the simplest—and cheapest—ways to make your apartment windows safer is to add extra locks. 

A lot of rental windows only have a basic latch that anyone determined enough can pop open.

You can get add-on window locks online or at any hardware store. 

They’re usually super easy to install without any drilling—just clamp or tighten them onto the window track. If you’re renting, that’s ideal because you won’t damage anything.

Think of it like this: even if someone tries to force the window open, that second lock might be enough to make them give up and move on. 

It’s a small, easy upgrade that gives you a lot more peace of mind.

Also read: How to Know Someone is Watching Your Apartment

2. Add Window Security Bars (Removable or Adjustable)

If you’re on the ground floor (or even a low balcony), window bars might sound intimidating—but they don’t have to look like prison bars. 

There are renter-friendly, removable, or adjustable security bars you can buy that don’t need drilling at all.

These bars fit inside the window frame and expand to lock tightly in place. They’re great for stopping someone from pushing the window open or squeezing through.

What I love about them is that you can take them with you when you move. 

It’s an investment in your safety, not the landlord’s building. And they’re surprisingly affordable and easy to install, making them perfect if you want to beef up security without a major project.

3. Use Window Security Film

This one’s such an underrated trick. 

Window security film is a clear layer you stick right onto the glass. It doesn’t stop someone from breaking the glass entirely, but it makes it so much harder to shatter and get through.

Think of it like a big sticker that holds the broken pieces together if someone tries to smash it. That slows them down, makes a ton of noise, and often convinces them it’s not worth the risk.

It’s also renter-friendly because you can install it yourself—no tools or landlord permission needed. 

And it’s practically invisible once it’s on, so you don’t have to sacrifice how your apartment looks for security.

4. Install Pin Locks or Charley Bars on Sliding Windows

Sliding windows can be ridiculously easy to force open if they don’t have good locks. 

That’s why I love pin locks and Charley bars—they’re simple, cheap, and they work.

A pin lock is literally a metal pin you insert into a drilled hole (some versions don’t even require drilling). 

It stops the window from sliding at all. Charley bars are those hinged metal arms that swing down to block the sliding track.

What’s great… Most are designed to be renter-friendly—no big damage, easy to remove when you move out. 

If you have any kind of sliding window or balcony door, adding one of these can seriously cut down your risk.

5. Add a Simple Window Alarm

This is one of my favorite low-cost, high-impact tricks. 

You can buy little peel-and-stick window alarms for almost nothing. They’re battery-powered, renter-friendly, and take about two minutes to install.

Here’s how they work: if someone opens or jostles the window, the alarm goes off with a painfully loud screech. It’s enough to scare off most intruders immediately (and probably give you a heart attack the first time you test it).

You don’t need to connect it to any fancy system. It’s just a basic, reliable deterrent. 

Even if you’re on a tight budget, adding these to your windows can be a big confidence boost when you’re living alone.

6. Reinforce with Dowels or Rods

This is the classic “old-school” hack—and it still works so well. 

If you have sliding windows or doors, just cut a wooden dowel or metal rod to the exact length of the track. Drop it in place, and voilà—nobody’s sliding that window open from the outside.

It’s dirt cheap (like literally a few bucks), requires zero installation skills, and your landlord won’t have a single thing to complain about. Plus, you can take it with you when you move.

I love this trick because it’s so simple and yet so effective. 

Sometimes the best security isn’t fancy—it’s just making things annoyingly difficult for anyone trying to break in.

7. Use Window Sensors with Smart Home Alarms

If you’re into smart home gadgets (or just want extra peace of mind), window sensors are amazing. 

They’re usually small, wireless, and renter-friendly—just stick them onto the window frame.

When the window opens unexpectedly, you get an instant alert on your phone. Some systems even trigger a loud alarm in your apartment. 

It’s a great way to know exactly what’s happening, even if you’re out or asleep.

The best part… You don’t need an expensive professional system. There are affordable, DIY options that work with Alexa, Google Home, or even standalone apps. 

If you want security with a modern touch, this is it.

8. Apply Frosted Privacy Film

This is one of those subtle changes that makes such a big difference. Frosted or privacy window film is like a sticker you apply right onto the glass. 

It lets in natural light but blurs the view from outside.

Why does that matter? Because if someone can’t see in, they can’t easily “case” your apartment. They don’t know if you’re home, what you own, or where your valuables are. 

That alone can make them move on.

It’s renter-friendly (easy to remove when you move out), super affordable, and doesn’t change the look of your place in a bad way. 

I always say—privacy is step one in security.

9. Hang Security Curtains or Blinds

Sometimes the simplest fixes are the best. 

Heavy curtains or blackout blinds don’t just make your apartment cozy—they also keep prying eyes out.

If you’re living alone, you don’t want anyone seeing you move from room to room at night, or spotting expensive electronics through the window. 

Thick curtains or blinds create a solid barrier, making it much harder for anyone to see what’s inside.

Plus, this is about as renter-friendly as it gets. No special permission needed. Just hang them up, close them at night, and feel safer knowing you’re not on display.

10. Install Motion-Activated Lights Outside (If Allowed)

If your apartment has a balcony or patio, this is a great deterrent. 

Motion-activated lights flip on the second they sense movement, making it really hard for anyone to creep around unnoticed.

Most landlords are fine with plug-in or battery-powered versions that don’t require hardwiring. You can even get solar-powered ones, you just place outside—no permission needed in many cases.

The sudden flood of light is usually enough to make any would-be intruder rethink their life choices. 

It’s one of those “set it and forget it” upgrades that helps you sleep easier.

11. Use Plant Barriers on Balconies

Okay, hear me out—plants aren’t just pretty décor. Strategic placement can actually make your apartment less accessible.

If you have a balcony or ground-level window, lining it with big pots or thorny plants creates a natural barrier. It’s a lot harder (and way more painful) for someone to climb over a row of dense, spiky greenery.

Plus, your landlord probably won’t mind—you’re just adding plants! It’s renter-friendly, inexpensive, and actually improves the vibe of your space while doubling as security. 

Who says safety can’t look beautiful?

12. Add “Protected by Security” Stickers

This one’s all about psychology. Even if you don’t have a full-on alarm system, putting up “Protected by Security” or “Monitored 24/7” stickers on your windows can be enough to make someone think twice.

Most burglars want an easy target. If they see a warning, they’re more likely to skip your unit altogether and try somewhere else. It’s classic “fake it ‘til you make it” security.

The best part… It’s dirt cheap and 100% landlord-friendly. No installation, no drilling, no hassle—just a simple deterrent that works on human nature.

13. Talk to Your Landlord About Upgrades

Sometimes the easiest path is just asking. A lot of landlords actually want their properties to be secure—they just don’t think about the details until a tenant brings it up.

If your windows have flimsy locks or no screens at all, ask if they’ll upgrade them. Some landlords will even cover the cost of better locks, reinforced glass, or security bars if you explain it’s for safety.

And if they won’t pay… You can at least ask for written permission to install your own (like those removable bars or pin locks). 

It never hurts to ask, and it might open the door (pun intended) to better security without you footing the whole bill.

One Last Thing Before You Go

I know all this talk about security can feel a little heavy. 

But honestly… It’s not about living in fear—it’s about giving yourself permission to relax at home. You deserve that.

Living alone should feel empowering, not scary. Even if you don’t do all 13 of these things, picking one or two can make a huge difference in how safe you feel day to day.

I hope these tips help you see that securing your apartment windows isn’t some big, expensive project—it’s small, doable changes that put you back in control.

You’ve got this. Stay safe, stay smart, and make your space truly yours.