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Panic room

Posted: Tue May 28, 2019 10:13 pm
by HomeHardener
So as the name suggests but not quite as hardcore as the film (if you’ve seen it)

I’d like to have a ‘stronghold’ within my house. Not directly for a bug in scenario (but it would be a last line of Defense if the rest of the house failed)

I have some questions,
Does anyone else have a panic room or likewise within their homes?
If so was it there when you purchased the property or did you install it/have it installed.

It’s really tough to find info or suppliers of a reinforced internal door, that looks like it’s a part of the furniture if you know what I mean.

For me this is a slightly exciting subject 🤭

Thanks!

Re: Panic room

Posted: Wed May 29, 2019 5:18 pm
by unsure
have you considered fire doors in place of normal doors .
once you paint them , [ i know your not supposed to ] they would look like any other but a lot stronger

Re: Panic room

Posted: Wed May 29, 2019 7:43 pm
by HomeHardener
unsure wrote: Wed May 29, 2019 5:18 pm have you considered fire doors in place of normal doors .
once you paint them , [ i know your not supposed to ] they would look like any other but a lot stronger
Thanks for your reply,
I had considered it but what worry’s me is the strength that’s lost when you start chiselling out material on a wooden door.

I have now sourced a company that sell a steel security door complete with reinforced security hinges, frame and 9 point locking system. You can add peepholes and different Types of handle etc.
They retail at around £200 all in which I think I’d a reasonable price.
But I don’t want to take it too far if you know what I mean. Is this overkill, Am I overthinking

Re: Panic room

Posted: Thu May 30, 2019 8:34 am
by Arzosah
HomeHardener wrote: Wed May 29, 2019 7:43 pmwhat worry’s me is the strength that’s lost when you start chiselling out material on a wooden door.

I have now sourced a company that sell a steel security door complete with reinforced security hinges, frame and 9 point locking system. You can add peepholes and different Types of handle etc.
They retail at around £200 all in which I think I’d a reasonable price.
But I don’t want to take it too far if you know what I mean. Is this overkill, Am I overthinking
In relation to that specific point, I'd probably work on the outer boundaries of my property first - fences, gates, windows, external doors, lights. Whatever that means - replacing a fence or adding another layer, different bolts and locks, sensors, security film on the windows, peephole, where you keep your keys, that sort of thing. Then how to evacuate - after all, a complete breakdown of society is much less likely to happen than something that needs you and your family to temporarily evacuate. And only then a panic room. Though I did have family who lived in a low-level war zone for a long time, and they had a safe room in the middle of their home (a bungalow) with a door that looked like it belonged in a medieval castle. But I still think that here and now, discouraging opportunists or easily discouraged robbers is more relevant than a panic room. That steel door you've sourced sounds great - would you put it on the outside of your house?

Re: Panic room

Posted: Thu May 30, 2019 10:13 am
by HomeHardener
Arzosah wrote: Thu May 30, 2019 8:34 am
HomeHardener wrote: Wed May 29, 2019 7:43 pmwhat worry’s me is the strength that’s lost when you start chiselling out material on a wooden door.

I have now sourced a company that sell a steel security door complete with reinforced security hinges, frame and 9 point locking system. You can add peepholes and different Types of handle etc.
They retail at around £200 all in which I think I’d a reasonable price.
But I don’t want to take it too far if you know what I mean. Is this overkill, Am I overthinking
In relation to that specific point, I'd probably work on the outer boundaries of my property first - fences, gates, windows, external doors, lights. Whatever that means - replacing a fence or adding another layer, different bolts and locks, sensors, security film on the windows, peephole, where you keep your keys, that sort of thing. Then how to evacuate - after all, a complete breakdown of society is much less likely to happen than something that needs you and your family to temporarily evacuate. And only then a panic room. Though I did have family who lived in a low-level war zone for a long time, and they had a safe room in the middle of their home (a bungalow) with a door that looked like it belonged in a medieval castle. But I still think that here and now, discouraging opportunists or easily discouraged robbers is more relevant than a panic room. That steel door you've sourced sounds great - would you put it on the outside of your house?
Thanks for your input, it’s much appreciated.
So the background is, me and my partner have just purchased our first home.
It’s double glazed all round with additional window locks already.
I’ve ordered a set of AVOCET ABS ATTACK SERIES LOCKS for the front and back doors, one of the most highly rated barrels on the market, anti pick, anti snap etc etc
I have a full smart home security systems with Audo detection, window, door and motion sensors and hd cameras (with a hub and hardrive that should the internet go down the system continues to log footage and info on as oppose to the cloud based system it runs day to day) this system also uses smart plugs so face detection via the camera or sensor detection activates different lights around the home to make a human presence look there even if we’re out at night etc
I have additional locks for my side entrance gate along with fence deterrents for the gate and fence (called stegastrips if you want to search them)
I have motion activated led permitted lighting all round booked in to be installed.
I also have things like faraday pouches for my car keys (I’ve got keyless entry and start)
A insurance approved and fire rated safe being installed in a hidden location and securely fastened down for documents, cash and the storage of keys at night or when we’re away.
The shed will also have a additional lock fitted to the door, along with motion activated lighting in the doorway.
Lastly I have a install booked for full downstairs window film, the slightly more heavy duty stuff, including the single Pane shed windows.
Oh and we have three dogs.

Re: Panic room

Posted: Thu May 30, 2019 1:05 pm
by Arzosah
Oh my word! I see I was teaching my grandmother to suck eggs :mrgreen:

Congratulations on the house purchase :) Join in on any house security thread that you see, your current experience of research and fitting is valuable to us all :)

Re: Panic room

Posted: Thu May 30, 2019 2:29 pm
by HomeHardener
Haha thank you!
As it goes, I actually started up my own Instagram account specifically to educate on this sort of home security with some prepper type information incorporated.
Whilst seeking answers to so many questions I had regarding home security and so fourth, I realised there wasn’t really any single place for me to source the information. So I decided to collaborate everything I learnt and help others!
Check it out if you have the time or if you even have Instagram.
‘Homehardening_uk’
I shall do my best to keep up with any home related posts and give some advice where I can.

Re: Panic room

Posted: Thu May 30, 2019 5:23 pm
by HomeHardener
Arzosah wrote: Thu May 30, 2019 8:34 am
HomeHardener wrote: Wed May 29, 2019 7:43 pmwhat worry’s me is the strength that’s lost when you start chiselling out material on a wooden door.

I have now sourced a company that sell a steel security door complete with reinforced security hinges, frame and 9 point locking system. You can add peepholes and different Types of handle etc.
They retail at around £200 all in which I think I’d a reasonable price.
But I don’t want to take it too far if you know what I mean. Is this overkill, Am I overthinking
In relation to that specific point, I'd probably work on the outer boundaries of my property first - fences, gates, windows, external doors, lights. Whatever that means - replacing a fence or adding another layer, different bolts and locks, sensors, security film on the windows, peephole, where you keep your keys, that sort of thing. Then how to evacuate - after all, a complete breakdown of society is much less likely to happen than something that needs you and your family to temporarily evacuate. And only then a panic room. Though I did have family who lived in a low-level war zone for a long time, and they had a safe room in the middle of their home (a bungalow) with a door that looked like it belonged in a medieval castle. But I still think that here and now, discouraging opportunists or easily discouraged robbers is more relevant than a panic room. That steel door you've sourced sounds great - would you put it on the outside of your house?
Apologies for not fully responding to this.
So I plan on keeping the multi locking upvc door at the front and back of the house (just changing the lock cylinder itself, for now) but the front door will be getting replaced if the bottom upvc panned is just the simple plastic with a foam centre, if it’s a steel plate reinforced type I will leave it in place.
The security door would only be for the master bedroom (panic room) as i believe for a front door it’s not very conspicuous.
I’ve attached the link to the door below

https://doorsforsecurity.co.uk/steel-se ... urity-door

Re: Panic room

Posted: Thu May 30, 2019 6:11 pm
by Arwen Thebard
Some seriously good home security preps there HH.

I'm jealous of the "Oh and we have three dogs." which is probably one of the best security measures you can get. OK they can be costly in both monetary and emotional terms, but what price do you put on the extra value they provide?

Give me a choice between my German Shepherds and my "other" self defence items and the dogs win hands-down. 8-)

(Note to self; Consider getting another dog, or two or .......... and remember to speak to wife first this time) ;)

Re: Panic room

Posted: Thu May 30, 2019 6:27 pm
by jansman
Our mongrel terrier is a cracking alarm dog. We know what’s going on outside by his ‘tone’ of bark! He can also anticipate the smoke alarms going off - oh yes!