Doors and Windows - basement windows - secure alternative to glass block

I am looking to replace my three basement windows with something a little better now that we're finishing the basement. The existing windows are cheap aluminum single pane sliders. We're leaning toward using hoppers instead of sliders with the replacements.

Are there any secure windows out there for basements? We're not crazy about glass block or bars, but also realize that those may be the only way to have any kind of security on basement windows. Just wanted to check here first.

Thanks,
V

Most of the basement windows that I replace get hoppers. Usually they go into masonary openings, and they are held in place by four 1/4" x 2 3/4" tapcon screws into the cement. Then we caulk the exterior with OSI Quad, (which as I've found out when I've had to tear out some of my old work, makes it nearly impossible to remove).

So I'd say that whatever window you decide to get, if you anchor it to the cement, and seal it with a good quality polyurethane or similar caulking, it will be *very* secure. If someone wants to get in, they would have to break the glass. If you get laminated glass, in a window with a good security rating, you're as secure as it gets.

Depending on how large your windows are, you might be able to get a single slider (one side fixed, one side operates) which might be real similar to what you've got, except newer with insulated (or laminated) glass. An awning window might also be an option if you wanted them to crank out. An awning window is like a casement laid on its side, with the crank on the bottom.

I realize you said you didn't want glass block.. but we just replaced all the windows on our house, upstairs went the double hung insulated vynil, and for the basement we did the ripply/water looking glass block. I have to say, i did the glass block knowing that i thought they were ugly, but once they were installed and the light sparkled through, it brightened up my basement considerably, and they were about 1/4 the cost of doing more vynil windows (about $95 a piece installed in the end). I also got 2 with vents for some air circulation.

Anything else would have been around 200-350 per window so i suppose it depends a lot on your budget and the look you're after.