Security and the Front Door
Opinions Please… I am renovating a single family townhouse and am installing the front door/security system and would like some advice. Here are the details: We are going to have the whole house alarm through an alarm company. We have two front doors, exterior and interior (Door with window). I want to do a buzzer…
Opinions Please…
I am renovating a single family townhouse and am installing the front door/security system and would like some advice.
Here are the details:
We are going to have the whole house alarm through an alarm company.
We have two front doors, exterior and interior (Door with window).
I want to do a buzzer on both front doors that way if the UPS guy comes and has a drop off I can buzz him in one door and he can leave it there. The second door will remain locked.
I thought this would be convenient if I am on the fourth floor with the baby, so I don’t have to walk down four flights. Also, I like that I don’t have to answer the door at all. The guy can leave the package, close the door, and I don’t have to deal with him.
The central alarm system will have cameras so I can tune into the TV and see when the guy leaves.
One opinion was that this is not as safe as two dead bolts. I think its safer to not have to answer the door at all.
Let me know what you think.
CMU,
It might surprise you to know that many insurance policies require brownstone owners to install alarm systems. The idea that no one is PS has one is ridiculous. Thanks for the additional info OP.
Homey,
The system we are using works with telephone and the TV. THere are no intercom units on walls. Buzzer rings and I can use the phone to buzz them in. I can also turn on the TV to tune into the security camera. It will always be on so I can tune in at any time. This is a standard system. Another option was to buy one that tunes in online. I am not buying this but they sell these on amazon. This is often called a pet cam or granny cam. I think that is what the pup cam is. http://www.ustream.tv/channel/shiba-inu-puppy-cam
SJ,
I don’t know one person who owns their house who does not have an alarm system. I would not consider living in my new hood without one. My husband was mugged and our car was broken into numerous times in this UWS neighborhood. I have had my own personal experiences that have led us to this conclusion. I agree with Fire Alarm guy that the card swipe sounds convenient and allows for easy open. I am looking into it.
HHITCHC:
Just by way of a caveat: Some years back I was trapped by a mugger in my vestibule between the inner and outer doors in my brownstone and robbed. You may want to consider this when planning your security system and make sure that you don’t have a lock that is too difficult or time consuming to unlock on the interior door. Also, maybe you should get a police call button on the alarm panel depending on where you place it just in case you get caught in the vestibule with your kid or something.
To CMU et. al.
Don’t let yourself get soft. This is still Brooklyn and regardless of the neighborhood you live in, it is a dangerous place. I have lived in ps my whole life and wouldn’t live in a brownstone without an alarm. It just doesn’t make sense, especially as the economy worsens and people start to lose their jobs and begin to look around and see a bunch of affluent folks living in townhouses while they scramble to find their next meal.
“One opinion was that this is not as safe as two dead bolts. I think its safer to not have to answer the door at all”
How about installing a remotely operated sub-machine gun and a hot-oil tipper: http:://killyourvisitorseasily.com ?
What area of hell do you live in? Nobody I know in PS even has an alarm system, and certainly nobody would worry about TWO deadbolts. Some don’t even have one.
Oops…hope no burglars read this…
Thanks alarm guy and OP. I think I am on the right track. Will ask more questions and just do the first door.
As a bohuma said lighting is important. Keep in mind though cameras can also see infrared. An IR illuminator is very discreet and alot of cameras include them these days.
There are a variety of electronic locks available. The concern with typical strikes is that they rely on the door handle latch. For added security you can use an electric deadbolt (comes out of the door frame)or a magnetic lock. These methods prevent free egress so extra care has to be taken to remain code compliant. If you are already on board with a security contractor you’re comfortable with they can review these options with you. I second “homey’s” concern and highly recommend not tying a remote release to the inner door.
However, once you have all these locks and a security system in place it can be rather tedious to unlock two doors and disarm a security system everytime you come home. I would suggest installing a card reader at the outer door that will release both doors and disarm the alarm system. If you’re security company says they can’t do this – fire them.
pitbull got me laughing out loud on this one…especially post at 1:55 and 2:26…haha.
I think huge security systems for a little townhouse are really overboard in general.
OP,
WHich system are you using. The first system we purchased by Cybex was pretty bulky, and included video and a phone attachement. We were concerned about how it would look mounted to our beautiful plaster walls. Where did you decide to place your intercoms and which system did you choose. Seidel is so damn expensive, but we may end up with that because it is much more compact.