Windows... a weak point.

Ok, so we've dealt with - if briefly - the ways in and out. I'll mention that I am looking for a semi commercial property myself. Indeed, as I type this, I am awaiting a response on an offer. Fingers crossed. Anyway, one of it's redeeming features (other than an awesome price and massive square footage) is a lack of any windows on the ground floor. 

In keeping with what some call 'modern day castles' when referring to refuges and the like (and with reference to suggestions of Max Brook's and removing access to upper floors) this property has, as above, no windows I can recall on my viewing downstairs. Certainly not in the part I wish to own. It has, I think, three ways in/out including two security exit style doors and the main entrance. There may be an additional way in or out via access to the cellar. In keeping with commercial warehouses and the like they are simple structures, usually open spaced but not always and with decent doors. Little or no windows. I like the idea, as it were, of living over the shop. One upper floor would suffice providing there's decent height in the ground/lower floors.

It's worth adding that said premises offer a lot more space for the money you'd pay for a more normal house. Take one example, just today mentioned on 'Homes under the hammer' (BBC TV). It was a former community hall totalling about 3000 sq ft. It was priced and went for around £100,000 (approx 2 years back). A typical British home, we are informed, is about 1000-1200 sq ft and cost, again an average, of well over £200,000. A normal house will suffice for most in terms of room so you'd have 800-1000 square foot to play with. Think about that storage and security...


One means of securing any windows, hopefully in the upper section but we'll assume up and down, is via grills. Either the solid steel bar type (sometimes in a steel frame) or the sliding gate type. It's worth noting that for both emergency access (by you) in the event of fire or similar and building regs may well mean you need to take a different approach. One, the more solid version, is far more secure than the more complicated sliding type (pictured) but equally a lot harder to escape from if needed.


Another is via shutters. There is the roller type, sometimes seen on European houses and shops/stores (esp doors into commercial premises) and the door type (inner and outer fitting). The simple fact that, with a little work, even heavy shutters will get permission if they look a little decorative and can be, for all intents and purposes, solid steel merely mare to look like a traditional form might make them the best option. In the example pictured (from another survival site of an Israeli house) they are exactly as described.

In an ideal situation you'd have some bullet proof or at the very least safety glass fitted. You can also beef up standard installations with heavy but clear safety films. 

Always bare in mind that it's the norm to have a door a truck couldn't impregnate and windows a brick can put in. Window locks are usually 10 levels down on door lock security levels and so on. Why spend all that cash on a steel front door with a 15-point locking and bolt system only to have zero extra security on your windows.