A log home, like any other home, must be kept safe and secure. Crimes are on the rise in many areas, and hopefully, you don’t live in one of them. Whether your log home is built with log siding, full logs, or timber frames, you should secure all windows and doors.
What Is Log Home Security?
Log home security is simply securing your home from unwanted entry to prevent theft, vandalism, and harm to inhabitants. Window and door locks and sensors typically make up the majority of any home security system. They monitor which windows and doors are opened and closed and alert homeowners. Devices and systems for window and door security are often very similar.
There are other ways to protect your home such as installing sensors that detect movement inside and outside the house or let you know if a door or window is locked. Motion detector flood lights and security cameras can be installed outside your home. Well-lit areas can tend to discourage intruders. Keep all ladders in the garage instead of in the yard to prevent burglars from gaining easy access to second-floor windows. Home security in essence is protecting those that live there and its contents.
Home Security: Windows
To feel safe, window sensors should be installed on every window in the house and garage. They can be magnetic contact sensors that separate when a window is opened that triggers an alarm. Other sensors can detect movement or let you know if windows are locked. Windows should have heavy-duty impact-resistant features. Other things you can do include:
- Keep the windows closed and locked
- Replace any broken or cracked glass
- Upgrade basement windows – burglars often target them
- Keep drapes and shades closed during evenings and nights
- Make sure that window air conditioners cannot be easily removed from the outside
- Consider tempered or laminated glass windows
- Keep shrubs trimmed low in front of windows so burglars can’t hide behind them
Home Security: Doors
The first thing to think about is keeping your doors closed and locked at all times, especially if crimes are committed in your neighborhood. If you have ever loaned door keys to someone who never returned them or purchased an existing home, consider replacing all door locks with the most advanced you can find. Keys have a way of falling into the wrong hands
Another option is replacing old entry doors with steel or fiberglass doors with peepholes and minimal glass. Here are some more ideas worth putting into effect:
- Keep the door locked that leads from the house into the garage
- Replace sliding patio doors with new models that have multi-point locking systems
- Use advanced door sensors like the window sensors discussed above
- Install security sensors connected to an alarm on every entry door in the house
How To Find A Log Home Security Installer
A home security system installer will conduct a home security audit before doing any work. The representative will use a standardized list of places that need security checks and pinpoint any vulnerabilities that need attention. You can follow these steps to find a good installer:
- Look for companies with high overall star reviews from customers
- Read any negative reviews and consider how the company responds to reviews including negative ones
- Make sure the reviews are not outdated or irrelevant
- Decide on a budget for installation and monthly monitoring
- Obtain referrals from family, friends, and neighbors
- Obtain bids from three home security companies and choose the one you feel most comfortable with
- Make sure the companies are licensed, certified, and have adequate experience
How Much Can You Expect To Pay?
The cost of a home security system plus the upgrades we’ve discussed vary greatly, and that’s why you need to obtain three estimates from different companies. Rather than give some cost estimates here, consider these variables:
- Each type of home security system comes with a different set of costs
- The total cost also depends on the number of devices you need installed
- Monthly monitoring fees vary from company to company
- A smart home system costs more than a standard system
- The level of complexity and customization of your system affects its cost
- Check this article for some cost estimates
Like a chain, a log home is no safer than its weakest link. The most common burglar or vandal entry points are windows and doors. Protect them with the recommendations discussed in this article and you will feel safer and more secure every day.
