Home hardening?

[T-Man]

If you looked at my home, you would see the product of System Induced Paranoia, which it turns out was not so misdirected in the first place. It took me most of two decades to build it, but believe me, it will take a series of direct hits out of a 105mm Howitzer to breach it. But, after 32 years of service in some really nasty places and witnessing what a gaggle of UN troops can do to a civilian population....'nuff said

[schutzen]

Anyone know anything about protective/defensive plantings to restrict access to dwellings/homesteads? I would like to bolster my security by restricting access to my home. Yes, I know this also restricts egress but for a guy with a steel reinforced leg that is not much of an issue. I guess I am looking for some type of very thorny shrub/hedge to plant in fence rows to discourage climbing/4-wheeling through the areas. It would also be nice if the planting produced a viable food source. One thing I looked at was Firethorn, but I do not believe it will survive the winters in my area. Anyone have any good ideas?

[Rangefinder]

If it isn't an illegal species in your area, Russian olive would work. Hardy tree that grows fast, olives are edible, and the tree is filled with 1" nasty spikes. And the seasoned wood is very hard, burns very hot, and is gorgeous to use as rifle stocks and knife handles.

[Ernest]

I don't know if this would be of any interest but if not too expensive it looks like it would make a good way to harden a closet .
http://www2.dupont.com/Stormroom/en_...page/faqs.html

[Garyshome]

I used angle Iron on the hinge side and the lock side screwed into the 2x4's, in my outbuilding. I used to use Plywood & 2x4's to close up a window when I worked at the glass shop as a temp till it could be repaired.

[smokeywolf]

I think this is the first time I've visited this forum on CB. I'm impressed with what I read.

We started planning a move out of Kali about 18 mo. to 2 years ago. We're still about 15-18 months away from making our escape from this Dem/lib/progressive/socialist nightmare. In a world where the Gov't. legislates on behalf of itself, the wealthy, criminals, welfare recipients and criminal alien welfare recipients, any middle class American wanting to have even a very slight chance of survival in a SHTF aftermath, be it caused by nature, assault on citizens by the U.S. Gov't. or foreign/World (UN) Gov't criminals, a family must not only be able to get by completely off grid, but must also be able to hold on to what they have worked to accumulate.
In a showdown with roving bands of street gangs you might stand a chance of making yourself too tough of a target. In a showdown with determined, well trained, well equipped Gov't criminals the best you're likely to do is stall the inevitable.

With regard to our move, we have studied and continue to study political leanings, demographics, crime, schooling, distance to health services, soil and climate conditions, water availability, wildlife densities and migration, major human migration routes and proximity to nuclear power plants, military bases and Gov't. controlled land.

In addition to all of the above mentioned concerns and criteria, because I'm nearly 20 years older than my wife, we're assuming that she may spend anywhere from a couple, to many years by herself after I've gone on to the happy hunting grounds. With that in mind, our ranch/hobby farm must be as secure as possible and practical and not too difficult to manage and/or downsize.

Because of the expense involved in hardening a home (especially one already standing) against the most determined and well equipped enemy, one has to get very creative and also face the realities and practicalities involved in the allotment of monies and time to such an endeavor.

One of the many options that I've been considering is building a 3 foot high cinder block or slump stone planter around the outer perimeter of the home and anchoring the bottom of a wrought iron fence to it. Fence slanted in toward the top and attached to the top of the ground floor structure. This would provide additional perimeter, home adjacent garden area. The addition of insect screening/privacy screening inhibits acquiring a visual through your ground floor windows. Security screening applied to wrought iron bars might inhibit or deflect the shot of a smoke/teargas/flash-bang through your bottom floor windows.

Other counter incursion measures to consider are: video surveillance (full time, motion activated, dummy and real cameras), perimeter alarms, full time and motion activated security lighting. Indoor and outdoor dogs that are territorial and/or pack oriented.

Don't forget to request Google and other Sat/Map providers blur images of your cars and house. This may help protect you from the average criminal. Your most dangerous enemy can access any and all real-time satellite images of you, your house and cars that they wish.
I know from personal experience that, at the right angle, a satellite can read (resolve) large print and images on a computer screen through a building's window.

smokeywolf

[Tactical Lever]

I'm not sure, but it sounds like you want to buy some time. Bars around the windows, motion lights and a security system are all good deterrents and add some safety. Camera systems are pretty affordable now and can be set up for all kinds of events. The number one deterrent to a thief is a barking dog, inside. Number 2 is knowing someone inside has a gun. Not that we want to advertise ahead of time.

A good way to keep things a little more secure inside, is having a reinforced walk in closet. Some extra OSB, chicken wire sandwiched in between layers, and a solid core outside door makes getting in tougher. With a combo deadbolt, its quick to access and could do double duty as a safe room/gun storage. If you want to go a little more hardcore with the safe room concept, a discreet camera, outside the door could keep occupants apprised of activity outside the room.

[Deliverator]

I've always wanted to get a house with a nice basement on a large piece of land and then dig myself an escape tunnel that went to the other side of the property.

[smokeywolf]

I've always wanted to get a house with a nice basement on a large piece of land and then dig myself an escape tunnel that went to the other side of the property.

I've always wanted something maybe a little shorter (25 yds.) with a target and bullet trap at the other end.

smokeywolf

[Blacksmith]

I've always wanted something maybe a little shorter (25 yds.) with a target and bullet trap at the other end.

smokeywolf

I knew a fellow that had one. He buried concrete culvert and the opening in the basement was concealed. The far end had a trap and a access door for maintenance. He had it put in when he built the house so it was part of the excavating and grading.

[Garyshome]

Maybe something underground?

[Blacksmith]

Just get a roll of this to run around your house to keep people away:
http://www.grainger.com/search?searc...gestConfigId=1

[warboar_21]

When I was stationed in Germany the base housing units had the steel roll up security shutters. I have since seen them on a few homes here in Vegas. I loved them for when I was working mid shifts and would come home and close all the shutters and black out the rooms as well as offer some sound dampening as well. They would deter the average opportunistic thief but would only slow a determined well equipped person(s). They make them motorized so in a panic situation you could close them all at once fairly quick.

My Uncle built his current home with 10" reinforced concrete walls. Double mat of rebar 6" on center. He has bullet resistant windows and his door frame is steel and a custom steel door that has a wood vernier to look like a wood door. The hinges are like a heavy duty piano hinge so it would not be as easy to breach. He had an attempt on his life several years ago when a disgruntled employee and accomplice kicked down his front door with ease and nearly killed my uncle in front of his family.
He has since taken his security a little more serious.

If I could afford it I would build something along the same lines as he did. You're not getting into his home very easy. It would literally take a breeching charge or vehicle mounted battering ram to enter through one of the doors.

[olafhardt]

Get yourself some cinder blocks and fire bricks and build an altar in front of your house. Sacrifice small animals on the altar. You and your family should dance around the altar. The uglier your wife is the better this works. This method works as well as any because the S ain't gonna HTF.

[Blacksmith]

You might want to read this manual before you select your hardware. It may point you toward more resistant types.
http://www.larchmontfire.org/images/fdny_fe.pdf