How clear burglar bars work and what to check before buying

Updated October 2026 by Florin Ristea, General Manager.

Clear burglar bars form a fixed barrier across a window using transparent polycarbonate strips. The bars are secured to sound fixing points, so the opening has a physical barrier while the outlook stays more open than with metal bars. They are also called transparent or polycarbonate burglar bars.

Choosing a system takes more than the clear material. The frame, the fasteners and the layout decide how the finished installation works.

What is polycarbonate?

Polycarbonate is a transparent, impact-resistant plastic. In a clear burglar bar system it is used as narrow strips across the window. Dimensions and fittings vary between products, so compare the complete product rather than assuming all clear bars perform alike.

Robo Door supplies the Robo Clear option. The Robo Clear product page has its specifications, supply options and quotation details.

How are clear burglar bars fitted?

The installer checks the window, chooses a layout and uses fittings suited to the frame and the system. Bar positions must allow for handles and the way the window opens. A strong material cannot make up for poor fixing points.

Ask to see the proposed layout before installation. Any spacing figure should say whether it is the clear gap or the distance between bar centres. Use the instructions supplied for the actual components, not a generic drilling guide.

What does impact resistance tell you?

Impact resistance describes how a material responds in a particular test. It is not a measure of how long it takes to force a way through a fitted window barrier.

For a useful comparison, ask what was tested: a material sample, a single bar or the complete installed system. Then check that the report applies to the product and fittings you are being quoted. Treat a comparison with glass with care; it is not a guarantee against burglary.

What will the bars look like?

Transparent bars still have visible edges, reflections and fixings. Their look changes with the light and the angle you view them from. Judge them from a photo of a whole window and a close-up of the fixings, not from a single strip.

Photos of a completed installation on a window like yours help most. Product images explain the system, but they are not the same as a finished job.

What should a quotation include?

Check the bar dimensions, the proposed layout, the fittings and whether the price includes installation. Confirm the window sizes, your location, the lead time and the warranty terms. For supply-only, ask for the parts list and fitting instructions before you order.

The length of a warranty alone is not enough to compare offers. Find out who gives the warranty and whether it covers the bars, their appearance, the fasteners or the workmanship.

Exposure and escape routes

Make sure the system suits the position and the exposure. Robo Clear suits inside and outside windows in all climate conditions.

Fixed bars do not open. Plan an escape route before you fit them across windows, especially in bedrooms. Every property needs its own assessment.

Ready to compare options?

Start with photos of your windows, their rough sizes and your town. See Robo Clear polycarbonate burglar bars, or ask Robo Door to compare clear and steel options for your property. Request a free quote.