asshat.308
member
Now all you need is a guard tower with a spot light and a bullhorn
Securing the house
- Thread starter Kindrox
- Start date
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Nice wall...
Regarding the previous posts discussing the Berlin Wall and embedding glass on top of yours, consider that the East Germans originally did this and took a lot of PR flak for it.
Although the glass works, you'd probably prefer not to assume the liability you'd face in a possible lawsuit (when some cretin tries to climb over).
An alternative to be considered (as an add-on) might be what the Communists eventually arrived at...a 40cm diameter smooth concrete or metal pipe mounted along the top. Some of this pipe was simply sewer pipe. The diameter was just wide enough that an average adult could not gain a grip if he vaulted to the top of the wall. The curvature precluded a climber's forearm from bending around it and denied his hands a grip.
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For a sense of scale, the Berlin Wall was aproximately a little under 4M high (about 12 ft tall w/ tube)
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Just a thought...
Regarding the previous posts discussing the Berlin Wall and embedding glass on top of yours, consider that the East Germans originally did this and took a lot of PR flak for it.
Although the glass works, you'd probably prefer not to assume the liability you'd face in a possible lawsuit (when some cretin tries to climb over).
An alternative to be considered (as an add-on) might be what the Communists eventually arrived at...a 40cm diameter smooth concrete or metal pipe mounted along the top. Some of this pipe was simply sewer pipe. The diameter was just wide enough that an average adult could not gain a grip if he vaulted to the top of the wall. The curvature precluded a climber's forearm from bending around it and denied his hands a grip.
For a sense of scale, the Berlin Wall was aproximately a little under 4M high (about 12 ft tall w/ tube)
Just a thought...
Chindo,
Thanks for the contribution! It is an idea that would pass muster with the city.
Eight feet is a good distance in that a person would need a ladder or bucket or box or something to get a boost. Basically someone is going to have to go to the trouble of having a plan for getting in.
Hopefully nobody thinks it's worth the trouble.
Thanks for the contribution! It is an idea that would pass muster with the city.
Eight feet is a good distance in that a person would need a ladder or bucket or box or something to get a boost. Basically someone is going to have to go to the trouble of having a plan for getting in.
Hopefully nobody thinks it's worth the trouble.
Specop_007
Member
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2008
- Messages
- 6
Good Lord....
If I ever need an 8' concrete fence to feel safe in my own backyard, I'll be spending the money to move!! I take it you live in one of the worst crime areas in your state?
If I ever need an 8' concrete fence to feel safe in my own backyard, I'll be spending the money to move!! I take it you live in one of the worst crime areas in your state?
Looks idea for some some one to tag. Once a criminal gets over the fence they can work all they want out of eye shot. If the cops come they have a good position from which to defend. Castles work both ways.
CEPTED classes are most likely offered in your area. Might help with your defensive planning.
Ideally the best fence would be one that could keep someone out, but still let everyone see in. Makes criminals think twice if they realize they'll be seen.
CEPTED classes are most likely offered in your area. Might help with your defensive planning.
Ideally the best fence would be one that could keep someone out, but still let everyone see in. Makes criminals think twice if they realize they'll be seen.
Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
How do you know you are a Fila-person?
1) Study the breed extensively. There's a good bit of useful information on the web, admittedly some bad information too though. The links I posted earlier are a good start. Filas really aren't suitable for every person in every set of circumstances. We waited several years to get our first one, until we had acreage in the country and good fences in place. Then we brought home our first puppy, she's now 3 going on 4. And we have a deposit down with one of our favorite breeders for a pup from her next litter. One of the down sides with Filas as with most large breeds is that they are not particularly long lived. Nine is pretty old for a Fila.
2) Go to specialty breed shows- look for molosser specific shows, ARBA (American Rare Breeds Association) or Fila specific (FBCA or Fila Brasileiro Club of America, FBA or Fila Brasileiro Association) so you can see these dogs at work (almost all shows include temperament tests) and have opportunities to talk to owners and breeders face to face.
3) Attend a 'working weekend' whenever you can find one close enough to you. Look at the association/club sites, search the term "working weekend" in association with "fila brasileiro" on your favorite search engine and you'll find several regional working weekends covered on the web. Call or email the sponsors to see what their plans are for current events. IMHO this is the single best way to really get to know the breed, to see several dogs (or a couple of dozen dogs) at work in a short period of time. And it's a good opportunity to talk to breeders and owners about everything involved in owning (and being owned by) a Fila.
After you feel you are fully familiar with the responsibilities and rewards of owning a Fila, and after you have determined that your housing situation can accomodate a large, active and protective dog, then you can make a decision as to whether or not a Fila is for you.
hth,
lpl/nc
1) Study the breed extensively. There's a good bit of useful information on the web, admittedly some bad information too though. The links I posted earlier are a good start. Filas really aren't suitable for every person in every set of circumstances. We waited several years to get our first one, until we had acreage in the country and good fences in place. Then we brought home our first puppy, she's now 3 going on 4. And we have a deposit down with one of our favorite breeders for a pup from her next litter. One of the down sides with Filas as with most large breeds is that they are not particularly long lived. Nine is pretty old for a Fila.
2) Go to specialty breed shows- look for molosser specific shows, ARBA (American Rare Breeds Association) or Fila specific (FBCA or Fila Brasileiro Club of America, FBA or Fila Brasileiro Association) so you can see these dogs at work (almost all shows include temperament tests) and have opportunities to talk to owners and breeders face to face.
3) Attend a 'working weekend' whenever you can find one close enough to you. Look at the association/club sites, search the term "working weekend" in association with "fila brasileiro" on your favorite search engine and you'll find several regional working weekends covered on the web. Call or email the sponsors to see what their plans are for current events. IMHO this is the single best way to really get to know the breed, to see several dogs (or a couple of dozen dogs) at work in a short period of time. And it's a good opportunity to talk to breeders and owners about everything involved in owning (and being owned by) a Fila.
After you feel you are fully familiar with the responsibilities and rewards of owning a Fila, and after you have determined that your housing situation can accomodate a large, active and protective dog, then you can make a decision as to whether or not a Fila is for you.
hth,
lpl/nc
Nightwing
Member
Why do I feel like having wall that big is a total advertisement that there would be something worth getting to inside that house?
Good work man, but seriously.... I would hate looking at that wall if I was your neighbor. Unless you acid stained the wall to make it look a little bit prettier.
Good work, either way.
Good work man, but seriously.... I would hate looking at that wall if I was your neighbor. Unless you acid stained the wall to make it look a little bit prettier.
Good work, either way.
Specop_007
Member
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2008
- Messages
- 6
Well, I'm sory but truly that wall is all about feeling.
You said its to keep your wife andf child "safe" correct?
What happens when little Timmy wants to play with his friends across the street? Will you say no because they dont have enough concrete? What happens when you family wants to go on a bike ride? You cant exactly take the wall with you? The wall only protects the back of the house. Your post stated someone was abducted in front of a house in your area on the driveway.....I dont see your driveway inside your wall.....
Dont get me wrong. I'm sure on some level that wall will keep you safe, but not from what you have to worry about. I dont see a freeway behind your house so I doubt you have to worry about an out of control car careening into your back yard. Your area doesnt look slummish so I figure theres a very good chance you've never had a driveby.
The risks of said wall do not in my opinion justify the cash outlay or feelings it provides.
Its a solution that covers 1-2 hours of the day at best, in the evenings when your out playing. Once your kid gets old enough to move hes going to want to play with friends, hes going to want tog on bike rides. Previous attacks have occured in front of houses. A hard wal protects aginst ballistic attacks very well....ie....a car or bullets. But a thief is just going to walk around front. Your 10 grand of concrete was defeated. Assuming they even walk though the neighbors front yard to get into your backyard to begin with.
That fence can be defeated with a milk crate. Its only 8 foot, I'm 6 foot and could jump up and grab it. It does nothing a wooden privacy fence with a big mean dog doesnt do, and costs 3 times as much.
If it were me I would have put that money into better windows (Maybe bullet proof) and a good security system. Theres many ways to passively harden a house without advertising to everyone in a 3 block radius that you need concrete walls to protect your valuables. Especially when all one has to do to defeat this wall is walk around to the front......Especially when the wall only protects you when your in the back yard.......
Good idea, but I fear poor execution. You should have put 10 grand to moving to a better location rather then spending 10 grand so you can FEEL safe 1-2 hours in the evening......
But you get an A+ for hard work! That had to be a back breaker!
You said its to keep your wife andf child "safe" correct?
What happens when little Timmy wants to play with his friends across the street? Will you say no because they dont have enough concrete? What happens when you family wants to go on a bike ride? You cant exactly take the wall with you? The wall only protects the back of the house. Your post stated someone was abducted in front of a house in your area on the driveway.....I dont see your driveway inside your wall.....
Dont get me wrong. I'm sure on some level that wall will keep you safe, but not from what you have to worry about. I dont see a freeway behind your house so I doubt you have to worry about an out of control car careening into your back yard. Your area doesnt look slummish so I figure theres a very good chance you've never had a driveby.
The risks of said wall do not in my opinion justify the cash outlay or feelings it provides.
Its a solution that covers 1-2 hours of the day at best, in the evenings when your out playing. Once your kid gets old enough to move hes going to want to play with friends, hes going to want tog on bike rides. Previous attacks have occured in front of houses. A hard wal protects aginst ballistic attacks very well....ie....a car or bullets. But a thief is just going to walk around front. Your 10 grand of concrete was defeated. Assuming they even walk though the neighbors front yard to get into your backyard to begin with.
That fence can be defeated with a milk crate. Its only 8 foot, I'm 6 foot and could jump up and grab it. It does nothing a wooden privacy fence with a big mean dog doesnt do, and costs 3 times as much.
If it were me I would have put that money into better windows (Maybe bullet proof) and a good security system. Theres many ways to passively harden a house without advertising to everyone in a 3 block radius that you need concrete walls to protect your valuables. Especially when all one has to do to defeat this wall is walk around to the front......Especially when the wall only protects you when your in the back yard.......
Good idea, but I fear poor execution. You should have put 10 grand to moving to a better location rather then spending 10 grand so you can FEEL safe 1-2 hours in the evening......
But you get an A+ for hard work! That had to be a back breaker!
Spe,
You missed the part about having kids soon and my wife being a stay at home mom, homeschooling the kids. Having a safe yard where the kids can play outside and the door to the yard be open is very important to me. The wall is 210 feet, that is a lot of area protected.
Further, the fence is 10 grand. 55% of what I spent on the last car. It's not like this is my life savings and now all we got is a fence.
You also did not read my other posts. The house is already pretty hardened, and I have a very nice alarm. The fence is just one (solid) layer of protection.
I would be *real* careful about what you grab hold of
You missed the part about having kids soon and my wife being a stay at home mom, homeschooling the kids. Having a safe yard where the kids can play outside and the door to the yard be open is very important to me. The wall is 210 feet, that is a lot of area protected.
Further, the fence is 10 grand. 55% of what I spent on the last car. It's not like this is my life savings and now all we got is a fence.
You also did not read my other posts. The house is already pretty hardened, and I have a very nice alarm. The fence is just one (solid) layer of protection.
I would be *real* careful about what you grab hold of
Evidently Kindrox has no problem with the cash outlay vs. the very real security benefits gained. Screw costs and "feelings". Emplace the hard target features you want.
There are a lot of downsides common to all types of barriers. Can a wall be breached? Sure. Just like every other linear defense. You'd be amazed at how quickly a chain link security fence can be surreptitiously breached. Does that mean we should just leave our property line undefended? Hardly.
The concerns about visibility into the property being a burglar deterrent are outweighed by the privacy/ballistic/noise pollution advantages gained through use of a solid wall.
I've lived securely in houses and compounds with precisely such defenses. Walls are a common architectural feature of better homes around the world.
Good walls make for good neighbors (and eliminate casual trespassers and opportunists).
There are a lot of downsides common to all types of barriers. Can a wall be breached? Sure. Just like every other linear defense. You'd be amazed at how quickly a chain link security fence can be surreptitiously breached. Does that mean we should just leave our property line undefended? Hardly.
The concerns about visibility into the property being a burglar deterrent are outweighed by the privacy/ballistic/noise pollution advantages gained through use of a solid wall.
I've lived securely in houses and compounds with precisely such defenses. Walls are a common architectural feature of better homes around the world.
Good walls make for good neighbors (and eliminate casual trespassers and opportunists).
I do cost/benefit analysis on pretty much everything I do. At the end of the day, $9k for a lifetime 210 foot fence by itself is not a bad deal around here.
Some say that a fence/wall like this will attract criminals. But by that logic, living in an expensive neighborhood should again be a bad move and living in a poor neighborhood with zero intruder protections should be the ideal setup.
It seems to be criminals think differently and more along the lines of, it going to be hard to get in, it’s going to be hard to get out, and if they went to the trouble of putting up that wall, what more is there I don’t know about? Probably a very good line of reasoning.
To be blunt, lets say Specop does take an egg crate and hops over the fence. I hope he brought two of them and tosses one over first, or he now has no option but attempt to break into the house (because you won’t find my gates having a latch but double barrel locks). But what if he peeks into the window and sees an armed alarm system? And finds a camera pointed right at his face? And finds someone home with a gun pointed in his face?
Someone who can put $9k into a fence can put $3k into an alarm system and cameras with a cell phone backup and off-site camera footage storage.
I don’t see physical security as being a bad idea.
Specop_007
Member
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2008
- Messages
- 6
I'm just telling you why *I* think its...well.....a waste. I would never, ever do it.
But its your house and you need to do what you think is right. At the end of the day as long as your happy, I'm happy.
But its your house and you need to do what you think is right. At the end of the day as long as your happy, I'm happy.
Bear Tracker
Member
I'm jealous. Now what you need is a piping systems at the top with holes drilled in it. Attach the piping to a couple of 55 gallon barrels of K1 or JP5 and an electric fuel pump. Have the holes positioned such that they rain the fuel down the outside wall. Add a few electronic igniters (heck you could even 'zone it' to do front, back, L or R, all sides). You get the picture. Tell the zoning board it is an irrigation system for the vines.
BTW: I lived in NOLA as a kid. Sisters, Dad, brother all still live there. It can be a rough place under normal circumstances. These people know what it is like when the SHTF. It was not pretty. They needed to be able to defend themselves and their belongings.
Hey get yourself a Dread Gun for anyone the breaches your wall. Check it out.
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/...spins-out-120000-rounds-per-minute-224739.php
BTW: I lived in NOLA as a kid. Sisters, Dad, brother all still live there. It can be a rough place under normal circumstances. These people know what it is like when the SHTF. It was not pretty. They needed to be able to defend themselves and their belongings.
Hey get yourself a Dread Gun for anyone the breaches your wall. Check it out.
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/...spins-out-120000-rounds-per-minute-224739.php
Wetawd
Member
Wow very impressive.
When are you getting the moat, drawbridge, turrets, claymores, poison ivy, searchlights and ninjas that don't sleep?
Are you keeping people out or keeping someone in?
I need you to build me one.
When are you getting the moat, drawbridge, turrets, claymores, poison ivy, searchlights and ninjas that don't sleep?
Are you keeping people out or keeping someone in?
I need you to build me one.
The upper 6 feet of the wall was cast in three sections. In this picture the previous cast stopped at an expansion joint and picks back up.
The upper 6 feet of wall was done with snap ties and Jon A brackets.
In the orginal photos there is little ground weeds/brush but things have been growing like crazy. Looking towards the front of my house. The columns are for a future patio cover. One column may appear close to the wall but is about 6 feet away.
This is a temporary gate. I keyholed the small concrete section and the two 2x4s slide in and out of the keyhole. Also the gate is two .75" sheets of plywood screwed together.
I used wood from the forms to block the the back driveway until I replace it with the sliding gate. The dog is on "loan" as we are dog sitting for two weeks.
A section of the yard and wall. The wall is mostly morter washed on the inside. It makes it look much better and fills in the small voids.
The next step is to put a two foot high retaining wall a couple feet inside the wall. This will become a raised bed garden all around the base of the wall. We are going to make a section of the raised bed into a greenhouse as well, since the wall makes a perfect backdrop. The dirt ("top soil" as texas dirt goes) in the backyard I got trucked in for free from a guy redoing his lawn. I'll mix it with wood chips when it comes time to dump it in in the raised bed.
The other side of the small temporary gate. The white gate goes into the neightbor's yard. I would have prefered a solid gate but that is what she wanted.
That section of 4000psi concrete wall is 9" thick and has all 3/4 inch rebar. We have started flowering vines on the sections of wall close to where we entertain. Flowering vines don't pull themselves up walls so I put in stainless steel screws and stainless steel wire for them to wrap around.
The other side of the house. There will be a gate here too but is blocked for now.
To keep people from standing on the 4" ledge, I cast triangle blocks and am mortering them in place. The wood at the fence end is for the neighbor lady to connect her future wood fence too.
A close up of the triangle blocks. The bolts are for the future fence of the neighbor lady.
Looking down the alley. This was my first attempt at morter washing the fence and requires two passes to look good. This is with just one pass.
Now I smear on a good amount of morter and use gloved hands to swirl a patern. It covers in one pass.
Looking down the alley the other way. This section of wall has not been morter washed and I don't have all the snap ties removed at the top yet.
I put a small gate to take garbage out to the alley for trash day ect.
The only "hole" in the fence is for the gas meter reader.
LostinJersey
Member
You don't need to worry about the Zombies getting in when the end of the world comes.
30 cal slob
Member
pfffft.
you should see my setup.
i have the same wall plus flaming moat and landmines. and a platoon of armed midgets on loan from blackwater.
you should see my setup.
i have the same wall plus flaming moat and landmines. and a platoon of armed midgets on loan from blackwater.
Cyclimus
Member
Wow. I want one. Can mine have a few murderholes, at least one escape hatch hidden in the yard with a tunnel leading ??? and with a wall like that, I need machine gun emplacements.
Im at a loss of words that is awesome I would worry about broken glass on top though what happens if a neighbor hood kid kicks a ball in the yard and tries to retrieve it by climbing over and shreds his hands seems like it could anger some parents might be a dumb thing to worry about not sure though id check with my attorney if I were you thats awesome and good luck with L.S.A. KINDROX
First off, I like the way you think
Second, that's not a fence, it's a proper WALL, and it's beautiful.
Third, there are a few things that you can do to make your "fence" more neighborhood friendly. Let me share some things my parents have done to their house wall. First off, you can paint it green/dark green (they didn't paint theirs because it's a red brick wall, but your's is concrete). Then, grow ivy on it inside and out. Ivy does wonders at covering up unattractive surfaces and makes for a very distinguished appearance, but it takes a while to grow. Hence the green paint at first.
Also, add flowering vines to your wall to increase aesthetics. Some types of vines can be grown to create such a dense crossing of thorny, woody branches that they can effectively serve as an additional barrier if you trim and train them properly. My parents have one over their wall and it sure looks painfull and very hard to climb over ( I don't know what the plant is called). Consult your local gardening shops. While you're building you can embed steel prongs in the top of the wall to assist these vines in taking over the top: A good looking alternative to coiled barbed wire. After a few months of gardening most people won't know that there is a concrete behemoth under the green.
Geez, you must have never owned a dog... A smart dog is probably THE best alarm system you can acquire, and a fantastic deterrent for less than inspired thugs (as is your wall). A good dog will let you know when a stranger is prowling around outside your wall, and will detect visitors before they even reach the welcome mat at your front door. And it will keep your wifecompany while you're out. I would strongly recommend a pure bred German Shepherd.
My family has had three generations of these dogs and I can personally attest that when in their prime, they are perfect guard dogs; they seem to never sleep. Sure they get shut eye, but their ears are in perpetual surveillance twitching this way and that even when they are not fully conscious, ready to jump up at the slightest sound. As far as invaders "dealing" with the dog, criminals can also deal with fences, alarm systems and even you and a 12ga if they are motivated enough. Safety comes in layers.
Second, that's not a fence, it's a proper WALL, and it's beautiful.
Third, there are a few things that you can do to make your "fence" more neighborhood friendly. Let me share some things my parents have done to their house wall. First off, you can paint it green/dark green (they didn't paint theirs because it's a red brick wall, but your's is concrete). Then, grow ivy on it inside and out. Ivy does wonders at covering up unattractive surfaces and makes for a very distinguished appearance, but it takes a while to grow. Hence the green paint at first.
Also, add flowering vines to your wall to increase aesthetics. Some types of vines can be grown to create such a dense crossing of thorny, woody branches that they can effectively serve as an additional barrier if you trim and train them properly. My parents have one over their wall and it sure looks painfull and very hard to climb over ( I don't know what the plant is called). Consult your local gardening shops. While you're building you can embed steel prongs in the top of the wall to assist these vines in taking over the top: A good looking alternative to coiled barbed wire. After a few months of gardening most people won't know that there is a concrete behemoth under the green.
Geez, you must have never owned a dog... A smart dog is probably THE best alarm system you can acquire, and a fantastic deterrent for less than inspired thugs (as is your wall). A good dog will let you know when a stranger is prowling around outside your wall, and will detect visitors before they even reach the welcome mat at your front door. And it will keep your wifecompany while you're out. I would strongly recommend a pure bred German Shepherd.
My family has had three generations of these dogs and I can personally attest that when in their prime, they are perfect guard dogs; they seem to never sleep. Sure they get shut eye, but their ears are in perpetual surveillance twitching this way and that even when they are not fully conscious, ready to jump up at the slightest sound. As far as invaders "dealing" with the dog, criminals can also deal with fences, alarm systems and even you and a 12ga if they are motivated enough. Safety comes in layers.
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