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.
OP,
We were advised by our security system people that they recommend exactly what you are going to have, the first door can be opened form any floor, but you have to go down to open the second. They claim that it is much safer to buzz someone into the vestibule between the doors, and not all the way into the house. They were particularly concerned that my two kids would just buzz anyone in. We haven’t completely finished the project, and are still considering making both doors operate remotely. The next time the guys come over to work on the system, I plan to ask them for a more complete explanation of why they think we should only have one door that can be opened remotely. I think they feel there is no substitute for evaluating someone up close. And, alas, that is probably accurate.
or you could save a TON of money and just get a pitbull :-/
-rob
Many years ago, I lived in a mansion converted to institutional use. We had deadlocks with buzzers at two doors, which were operated through the telephone system. They worked very well and were quite secure. Make sure the system you have installed has a video camera, and you might want to install a spotlight so that even on those dark winter afternoons you can see who is actually there.
The question is does anyone have a double buzzer system in a single family townhouse and is it secure and does it work well.
Should have asked that more succinctly in the first place!!!!
And don’t refer to PitBull and PHFamily as Beavis and Butthead.
The question is does anyone have a double buzzer system in a single family townhouse and is it secure and does it work well.
Beavis and Butthead can make as many comments as they like. I’m asking about security systems. If you don’t have an opinion about a buzzer system than move along.
I’m not sure then that there is actually still a question. Have the security company add the buzzers however you would like them added. Deadbolts are a different issue. I’m assuming you mean keyed deadbolts. They can be thrown when you are not at home and at night but left open during the day when you want to use the buzzer system. But you’re right. You can’t have a deadbolt thrown and expect a buzzer to open the door.
But like rob, I do sense a wee bit too much concern for security and deadbolts and strange delivery people.
“connivence”, “large load”, a “tube that comes”? this IS a fave post dave! you nailed it.
-rob
We are using contractors to install the stuff and Supreme Security
Yes, I do get a lot of packages for my work. Thanks Dave.
I am not afraid of the UPS man. Just like the connivence and safety of not having to open to door every time the postman has a large load of mail or a tube with drawings comes.
Who are you using for the installation? We are interetsed in a buzzer system, with a camera so that we can see who we buzz in….