Comparison
SWB vs. Home Depot Window Bars
Honest side-by-side comparison — so you can make the right call for your home.
SWB Direct
BEST VALUE- ✓Adjustable to any window size
- ✓Fire egress integrated (A/EXIT)
- ✓30-year galvanized steel
- ✓DIY in 15 minutes
- ✓FHA compliant
Home Depot (Grisham)
- ✗Fixed sizes only
- ✗No egress — separate kit needed
- ✗Light-gauge steel, rust risk
- ✗Available at retail
- ✗May not meet FHA requirements
Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | SWB Direct | Home Depot |
|---|---|---|
| Adjustable to any window | ✅ Telescopic + modular | ❌ Fixed sizes only |
| Fire egress (bedroom compliance) | ✅ Model A/EXIT integrated | ❌ Requires separate kit |
| DIY install time | 15–30 min | 15–30 min |
| Security rating (lateral force) | 500+ lbs | 200–300 lbs (estimated) |
| Steel gauge | Heavy-gauge galvanized | Light-gauge steel |
| Lifespan | 30+ years galvanized | 5–15 years (rust risk) |
| Price range | $99–$114/module | $25–$60/bar |
| Fire code compliant for bedrooms | ✅ Yes (A/EXIT) | ❌ Not without kit |
| FHA mortgage compliant | ✅ Yes | ❌ Not without kit |
| Available at retail stores | Online only | ✅ Home Depot, Lowe's |
| Warranty | 1-year limited | Varies |
| US customer support | ✅ Full support | Varies by brand |
The Real Cost Difference
Home Depot bars cost less per bar, but fixed sizing means you often buy multiple sizes that don't quite fit. Add a mandatory egress kit for bedroom windows (~$40 each), and the cost gap closes significantly.
SWB bars start at $99 but fit any window, include all hardware, and Model A/EXIT includes egress with no add-on. For 6 windows including 2 bedrooms: SWB ≈ $630 vs. HD ≈ $240 + $80 in egress kits + time dealing with sizes that don't fit.
Grisham Sizing: The Fixed-Size Problem
Grisham (the brand sold at Home Depot) offers fixed-size bars in limited height ranges: typically 17"–65" height in select increments, and 17"–44" width options. If your window falls between two standard sizes, you either buy the next size up (leaving gaps) or the next size down (which won't fit).
SWB's telescopic system adjusts continuously — 35"–65" height, unlimited width with modular expansion (16" per module, stack up to 20 for commercial) — so every window gets a precise fit regardless of size.
When Home Depot (Grisham) Makes Sense
If your windows are standard sizes that match Grisham's product line, you don't need bedroom egress, and you prefer buying at a local store rather than online — Grisham is a solid budget option. For mixed window sizes, bedroom compliance, or professional-grade security, SWB is the better long-term investment.