Garage Security Bars

Getting the bars at Home Depot instead of making them yourself really saves a lot of time in this recipe.  This is really easy and takes MAYBE 20 minutes. This will allow you to open your garage window in the summer to let air in without worrying about the boogy man stealing all your good junk in the garage. 

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 or 3 each 1/2 inch "rebar" reinforcing bars from Home Depot

• Wood 2x4s enough to go on both sides of the inside of your window (2 pieces, one for each side)

• 2.5" to 3"  wood screws (depending on if you have sheet rock or not)

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Cut the steel bars in lengths to just barely fit inside the window frame on the INSIDE of the window

  • Cut half way through with a hack saw, then they will break when bent

• Cut 1/2" x 1/2" (or barely larger) matching notches about 4 to 5 inches apart on the 2 side 2x4s

  • Put 2x4s together, measure and mark both at the same time to ensure they are even side to side (be sure to mark the bottom of each so you don't forget)

  • One way to make the notches is to use a skill saw cutting a half inch deep.   Make your cuts on both sides of the notch markings then a couple of passes in the middle area then just knock out the rest with a hammer for each notch.  Very quick.

• Lay the bars in the notches and lift into the window

  • It would be great to get your spouse to help you do this part

• Screw the 2x4s to the sides of your window.

  • Remember if you have sheetrock around your window you have 1/2 inch of stuff that doesn't hold a screw so you need a screw that will go through the 2x4 (1.5 inches), the sheetrock (.5 inches) and into the wood stud on each side of your window.   

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  • MAKES: Your garage quite a bit more secure than just having a window with a screen.  Not totally secure...but this is a big deterrent.  You could add verticle bars to make it much more secure if you wanted. The problem is that the more steel you use, the worse it tastes.  If you want me to help you with this, my consultation fees are really, really high, but for familiy, I'll do it for one of the other desserts listed here.