Frequently Asked Questions
There are various companies that install clear burglar bars in Gauteng and other provinces. The key to getting value for your money is asking the right questions:
It is neither of those; our Premium Clear Burglar Bars are manufactured from a thermoplastic polymer called Makrolon® polycarbonate, the strongest transparent material available today.
Eventually someone could break them with the right tools, lots of noise and repeated efforts but with a tensile breaking strength of 3000kg it is tougher than steel!
Although there are only two different formulas for creating polycarbonate which are equally suitable for clear burglar bars, the difference is the methods used to make the material.
Substandard manufacturing practices and the reconstituting of old polycarbonate to save costs results in poor quality, weak material.
SheerGuard uses only the highest quality virgin polycarbonate that is produced to ISO9000 standards in Europe for its clear burglar bars.
There are a number of variables to consider when comparing steel to clear burglar bars.
Something to consider when comparing steel burglar bars to clear burglar bars is the way in which it is fixed to the widow frame. Most steel bar installations are welded to the steel frame. This is not strong enough as all it takes is a simple twist of the bar with a spanner and the weld will break.
Another way of fixing clear burglar bars, steel bars and aluminium bars is with the use of a pop-rivet. The inherent problem with using standard pop rivets is that they can easily, and quietly, be drilled out and the bar removed.
SheerGuard is the only company that uses a high quality, tamper-proof, stainless steel, compression rivet to counteract this problem.
Unlike steel bars, clear burglar bars do not rust or corrode when exposed to moisture or solvents. Untreated polycarbonate, however, can lose its clarity if exposed to the sun for a long period of time. It is therefore important that the highest quality polycarbonate is used.
SheerGuard polycarbonate clear burglar bars are coated with a special UV protection which guarantees the bar against the loss of clarity for 10 years.
Clear burglar bars are made from a highly flexible material. This adds to the strength of the clear burglar bar because force can be applied to it by twisting or pulling the bar and it will return to its original position. However, extreme care must be taken to insure that the bars are installed to the right tension so that they do not flex too much as this will create a big enough gap for a person to climb through.
SheerGuard has extremely competent and experienced installers who have developed the skill to ensure every clear burglar bar installed is to the correct tension in order to optimise your safety.
Our Clear Burglar Bars are slightly thicker than the standard bars, measuring in at 6mm thick x 34mm wide they can be cut with an angle grinder or a hacksaw in the same time you can cut through a standard 8mm steel burglar bar.
No, we have a maximum spacing of 120mm between our Clear Burglar Bars which is too small for even a 2 year old to fit through. In some instances we have been requested to fit SheerGuards to keep young adventuress children from falling out first floor windows
We only use European iso 9000 Makrolon® Polycarbonate in the manufacture of our Clear Burglar Bars. We also offer the highest UV resistance of any other polycarbonates and a 10Year manufacturer’s warranty.
Polycarbonate has an inherent flame retardant and is heat resistant, unlike plastic it does not ignite and drip flaming liquid it actually extinguishes itself as it is being burnt. This is not to say that they cannot be burnt through them but if someone does try to burn through them, it would take a few minutes to get through our bars and a lot of smoke and smell is produced. We recommend that you install external beams and have an alarm installed in your house to monitor any activity that goes on in and around your garden and home.
No, SheerGuard Clear Burglar Bars compare favourably to custom fitted steel burglar bars and in most cases work out to be more economical.
They are not scratch resistant and if treated badly will start showing scratch marks over time. We do offer Abrasion Resistant Clear Burglar Bars which boast excellent abrasion and chemical resistance at a slightly higher cost.
With a soft cloth and water
Yes. We install to insurance specification not exceeding a 120mm gap between bars on opening windows. It is always advisable to check with your insurance company as policies differ.
