Ground floor bedrooms and open windows

[LaceCurtains]

I always have a small window open in the bedroom at night.

I'm currently looking at a bungalow. I love the layout and the location and with one eye on the future it seems sensible to make our next home, as we approach retirement, single storey, just in case.

It's a beautifully modernised and extended bungalow and what was once the dining room is now a bedroom. The only window in that room is french doors, so you can't have a window open without leaving a door open. I'm not happy with that but easy enough to change.

However, it got me wondering whether I'd be comfortable with any open window in a ground floor bedroom, not helped by the fact that there are no fan lights, all the opening windows are "big"

Do you sleep on the ground floor with an open window?

Yes, I have a very small window that no one could get through, and it's not near the bed so I feel ok about it.

I don't like sleeping with windows open on the second floor, so no way would I feel comfortable having a window open on the ground floor at night. If you're considering replacing the french doors for windows then why not consider adding some internal lockable security shutters?

I do, my bedroom is at the back and the window opens on to the garden. My windows are fairly small and don't fully open so the cat is happy to use it as an entrance but I think an adult would have to break the window to get in.

You can also get security gates, they look loke the old fashioned lift doors you had to pull on. You can get them to fit french windows if you did want a big window.

As you are removing the doors you could have a small window put in, or somethign like the link, small french windows but with small opening windows.

www.google.com/search?biw=1164&bih=597&tbm=shop&ei=7hLeXsazC_ef1fAP-LKt4A8&q=door+with+opening+window&oq=door+with+opening+window&gs_l=psy-ab-sh.3..0j0i5i30k1l9.8990.17001.0.17494.24.22.0.2.2.0.184.2149.16j6.22.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab-sh..0.24.2176...0i67k1j0i10k1j0i24k1j0i8i30k1.0.egQ_DRD5UDk#spd=7619989720273273831

Hello. Yes I have a ground floor bedroom, it's right onto the pavement.

I wasn't at all comfortable in leaving a window open at night, fairly big window, would be easy for anyone to climb into. But my DP cannot sleep without a window open 🙄.

Anyway had no problems at all and barely think about it anymore.

I live in a bungalow, and bedroom is at the front. Initially I was really uncomfortable, scared even incase someone got in. Now will happily sleep with the windows open (both the fan and larger ones)

My bedroom is ground floor and I sleep with the window open. It’s not a small window, someone could easily climb in if they wanted to. No issues.

You can get window restrictors so you can get fresh air without the window being able to be pulled wide open too.

I have lived for more than 10 years in a bungalow and it never crossed my mind to be worried about this! Are you concerned that evil dudes will come climbing in in the night? Or foxes? Is that something that happens?

We were once burgled while we slept, were blissfully unaware of then taking what they fancied downstairs, so yes, the "evil dudes" is a concern.

That's really scary. I'm so sorry that happened. The other thing you could do is put a big lockable fence around the garden. Some of my neighbours have that.

People must live in nicer areas than me! I have a ground floor apartment and never sleep with any windows open

We built a bungalow as a granny flat. To get round this we had a huge hole drilled into he wall and vents fitted to it. So you can have them open for air or closed. No one can get through those! And it means there's ventilation and the feeling of air.

I couldn't live on the ground floor for this reason. Have you thought about putting in an inward-opening window and then a Spanish-type wrought-iron grille on the outside?

Yes I also have a ground floor bedroom right on to a busy street, and feel it's too dangerous to leave the window open at night, as it could be opened further and someone could get in, with the type/size of window.

I have been looking at these:
www.jackloc.com/products/titan-by-jackloc-folding-window-restrictor/

They get good reviews, and it sounds like you would hear somone attempting to get it via that, before they were able to!

I don't know what sort of drill would be needed to install it though, which is one reason I haven't yet done it - but your windows might be more obvious (mine are some new-build design, maybe aluminium coated wood, but maybe not - really hard to tell!)

Are you concerned that evil dudes will come climbing in in the night? Or foxes? Is that something that happens?
Yes, this is something that happens. Many years ago a friend of mine was raped this way.

My eldest 20, has a downstairs bedroom. Our windows have a catch which means they can only be opened a certain amount.

Having just broken into our house using a narrow fanlight, it’s definitely an issue I’d be concerned about

Even the ones that can only be opened a certain amount can be dangerous, as it's possible to get a tool inside and release the catch that allows them to be released further, unless there is a very secure locking/restrictor on it. i'm hoping to intall the one I linked above, but still feel a bit wary about it. I've also heard of cases where people have come in through windows and attacked residents, or burgled them.

My previous house was burgled when I was out, and I was surprised at how small a window they were able to get through.

My current ground floor bedroom - no-one's come in yet, as I keep the windows locked, but I have had someone jump over the patio railing and was just on the other side of the glass, which woke me - really scary seeing someone there.

So worth trying to find a good restrictor, or bars, and a safe way to install them. I wonder if locksmiths would install the restrictors? I'd want to know it was done properly. It looks like they have one-way security screws, though you can replace them with your own two-way security screws, in the event you want to get rid of it one day.

I do think this depends on the safety of the neighbourhood. Can you find out about local crime statistics? How would you feel about putting a safety grate over your window so you could open it but no one could get in without a noisy powertool?