I'm on board with the dog idea but I see no problem with a terrier. All I want from my dogs is to tell me when someone is there. I do not expect them to go fight off a bg, call the cops, or defend the house in general, that is my job. I don't require them to defend the house when we are away, that is what the real alarm system is for. Anyone who is up to no good hates a house with dogs, not just big dogs. If someone wants in your house so badly they will more than likely be able to get past a dog one way or another. My dogs just make sure I know a bg coming.
Securing the house
- Thread starter Kindrox
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DRZinn
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VPLthrneck
Member
A thing of beauty Kindrox.
Now I just picked up another idea for what I want on my place after I retire out of the military and finally settle down in one area.
BTW, good choice for buying a place that doesn't have a HOA, allows the freedom of doing what you are doing.
Bougainvilla like DRZinn lists, it's beautiful when in bloom, grows fairly quick, and as thorns but they aren't super noticable.
Now I just picked up another idea for what I want on my place after I retire out of the military and finally settle down in one area.
BTW, good choice for buying a place that doesn't have a HOA, allows the freedom of doing what you are doing.
Bougainvilla like DRZinn lists, it's beautiful when in bloom, grows fairly quick, and as thorns but they aren't super noticable.
Very impressive. Don't think it would pass muster with either the town officials or my neighbors. Not the sort of thing one sees in New England.
Everyone would assume you are a drug dealer.
It should certainly discourage the average goblin. But, it might make you a target for a home invasion from higher octane goblins thinking there are some serious goodies inside.
I hope it works out for you!
Everyone would assume you are a drug dealer.
It should certainly discourage the average goblin. But, it might make you a target for a home invasion from higher octane goblins thinking there are some serious goodies inside.
I hope it works out for you!
CAPTAIN MIKE
Member
Nice
You know we could certainly use something like that on the Southern Border.
You know we could certainly use something like that on the Southern Border.
leadcounsel
member
1. I am torn on the fence attractiveness vs. functionality. I like the idea of a permanent fence, but why not something more attractive like multicolored brick or cinderblock? Cost?
2. As someone else mentioned, it is a good investment for your families first line of security and will make would-be thieves move on to a softer target in your 'hood. I also think it's beneficial insurance against stray bullets (which is a nice added value) and also any stray bullets leaving your property that you might shoot in self defense.
3. I agree that if you are a dog lover then it's a great setup for a dog like a doberman.
4. Have you constructed a rear access gate for the back yard? That could be critical for future projects in the back yard or house.
5. Going back to the attractivness, I agree that the fence needs something. But what? Vines make it easy to climb the fence. I think that you should sink some 2" spikes about 2" apart down the lenght of the fence to keep people off of it. Maybe then ivory plants will add to the beauty of the fence without violating the security purpose.
2. As someone else mentioned, it is a good investment for your families first line of security and will make would-be thieves move on to a softer target in your 'hood. I also think it's beneficial insurance against stray bullets (which is a nice added value) and also any stray bullets leaving your property that you might shoot in self defense.
3. I agree that if you are a dog lover then it's a great setup for a dog like a doberman.
4. Have you constructed a rear access gate for the back yard? That could be critical for future projects in the back yard or house.
5. Going back to the attractivness, I agree that the fence needs something. But what? Vines make it easy to climb the fence. I think that you should sink some 2" spikes about 2" apart down the lenght of the fence to keep people off of it. Maybe then ivory plants will add to the beauty of the fence without violating the security purpose.
Anonymous Coward
Member
Sure it looks menacing, but a crook can just throw down a few yards of carpet, or even a leather jacket, before he climbs over.
AND ANOTHER THING: I can't find FerFal's essay about living in Buenos Aires, but to paraphrase, he finds that most people are not attacked in their home, but when they come and go.
Yeah, the only way into that walled home is through the gate, but that gate has to open now and again.
Not to knock on your plan, but I mention these things just in case they hadn't already occurred to you.
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Part of the build plan has been to eliminate places close to the house people could hide or wait. The only way someone (from the front) can wait is in a car and the street is short enough that its not very practical.
On the back entrance side the same thing basically applies. People back there can't wait in a car and can't really just loiter in the alley either.
On the back entrance side the same thing basically applies. People back there can't wait in a car and can't really just loiter in the alley either.
Blackbeard
Member
Looking at your pictures, if I were a crook, here's how I'd break in:
- Wait until I'm sure you're not home
- Pull a van up right next to the wall in the alley
- Climb up the van and over the wall
- Open gate from inside
- Pull van into courtyard
- Close gate
- Take all day loading van with your stuff (neighbors can't see)
- Drive away
One thing you can do to throw a wrench into this plan is to have the gate locked on the inside as well -- either padlock, coded keypad, etc.
Walls are great, but so are neighbors who can see your house. The dog ain't gonna call the cops.
- Wait until I'm sure you're not home
- Pull a van up right next to the wall in the alley
- Climb up the van and over the wall
- Open gate from inside
- Pull van into courtyard
- Close gate
- Take all day loading van with your stuff (neighbors can't see)
- Drive away
One thing you can do to throw a wrench into this plan is to have the gate locked on the inside as well -- either padlock, coded keypad, etc.
Walls are great, but so are neighbors who can see your house. The dog ain't gonna call the cops.
I still think its a wonderful fence. Making it hard to climb and beautifying it seem like the things to do. I'd love to see it completely covered in climbing vines.
In south america people embed glass in the top of their fences. I'm sure that's illegal here. I'm not sure what means can be employed in the U.S. to keep people from going up and over without getting into legal troubles.
In south america people embed glass in the top of their fences. I'm sure that's illegal here. I'm not sure what means can be employed in the U.S. to keep people from going up and over without getting into legal troubles.
I saw that in France a lot when I lived there. Walls are really common. As are shutters many of which are roll down metal ones to secure windows. I have always wanted to add the roll down metal shutters to my house here.
I have a rottie and I would disagree about the exercise part, particularly if you want to keep them in proper form. I run a minimum of 5 miles a day with mine until they get too old. I concur entirely on what great dogs they are though.
I will also testify to what a powerful detterent they are in keeping people out of your yard.
They are not mutauly exclusive and for me there is no reason not to have both although some people dont want a dog and others really shouldn't own one.
A dog can be dealt with just as a fence can but I would wager that a proper dog is more of a detterant than a fence. Most people dont fear being mauled by a fence.
I laugh when people say such and such security measure can be defeated. Sure it can. If some one is real determined they can defeat just about anything one might come up with. If some one really wants to do you harm it will not be real hard. That said most of us dont have enemies that are plotting to get us specificaly. It is more a matter of detering opurtunistic criminals.
Why break into my house that has an alarm and a rottie inside when my neighbors has neither? That is the premise that I operate on not the idea that there is no way some one could break in and kill my dog and make off with some things before the cops get there. They could but it is probably more of an effort than they wish to make when there are easier targets.
Note the recent news of the Allied tunnel system under the Berlin Wall, the illegals under our southern border fences, and the jihadists under the Gaza border security...in between the piers, what is the tunnel deterrent(only half serious!). Sometimes, the more security, the more curiosity, if you get my drift.
DontBurnMyFlag
Member
has anyone given any thought to the possibilty that firefighters or EMT's may one day need to gain entrance to your property.
granted someone may open the gate to allow access, but what if you're all incapacitated?
what if it takes too much time and seconds count?
I'm not knocking the wall. I just hope emergency units will have easy access.
granted someone may open the gate to allow access, but what if you're all incapacitated?
what if it takes too much time and seconds count?
I'm not knocking the wall. I just hope emergency units will have easy access.
Psywarrior13
Member
Love the wall, I would like to do something similar one day. Can't wait to see the finished product.
The summer heat is here so I am "off" for the summer.
WIth no wall the house would still be locked and emergency vehicles would still come to the front of the house.
So worst case emergency service have to bust down the front door or break a front window. Although I hope I have the front door such that it's not a pushover for a boot.
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