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LeeMn
Member
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# Posted: 17 Jul 2024 07:31pm
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I am gutting our 1970's hunting cabin in northern WI. We have it down to the studs and replacing windows soon. it is right on a dirt road and ATV/snowmobile route. Frequent traffic. We have owned it since 2020 and was broken into many times over the years. Our shed was broken into this Feb. There is no electricity within miles of cabin. Right now we have plywood sheets on hinges on outside of cabin that have toggle bolts through the window frame and secured with wingnuts on inside of cabin. Looking for better design for preventing people from breaking in. Any ideas?
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travellerw
Member
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# Posted: 17 Jul 2024 08:22pm
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Solar based 5G cameras and signs.
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Grizzlyman
Member
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# Posted: 17 Jul 2024 09:01pm
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We’ve had this discussion a few times at our place. No break ins… but still talked about it.. Cameras and OBVIOUS cameras are probably the best deterrent. An obvious camera with a sign or something is probably the best you can do. Otherwise plywood like you said- I can’t imagine something more.
I think if we’re talking about a remote place in the woods with no one around.. you really can’t stop someone from breaking in if they want to.
As much as I hate to say it Honestly I think there is a good argument to be made to just leave it unlocked or at least lock it but not really secure all that much.
A little lock is a good deterrent. To much lock and they break a window. I’d rather have someone just walk in frankly than kick a door in and/ or break a window.
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Curly
Member
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# Posted: 17 Jul 2024 09:08pm
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Some suggestions: Make the exterior doors open outward rather than inward so they are harder to kick in. Minimize the number of windows and make them smaller so it is harder for someone to crawl in them. You might be able to incorporate some rebar or steel mesh into your window framing to prevent entry through the windows. Hide an Apple airtag in an item you think the bad guys would steal and see if the airtag will lead the police to the thieves. Just some ideas (maybe not good ones). Good luck to you. It stinks when bad guys ruin your cabin experience.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 17 Jul 2024 10:01pm
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Rolling steel shutters.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 18 Jul 2024 12:12am
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Bet the break ins are the same perps.
Get em on camera and busted.
Sad thing is that there is no way you can secure a remote cabin short of making it a bunker....and somebody could still look at that as a challenge to beat.
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 18 Jul 2024 01:28am
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This
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FishHog
Member
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# Posted: 18 Jul 2024 11:54am
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I went with the small lock to deter honest ish people and leave a lot less damage from the breakin
I did put up a number of cameras and signs but everyone wears hoodies these days so you don’t see much
Don’t leave anything of value and at least they won’t bother a second time
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LeeMn
Member
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# Posted: 18 Jul 2024 12:15pm
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Quarantine sign is a new idea! Tried the small lock on the Conex box. They broke that pretty easily. Our front door is steel that opens outward and has thick iron box over lock. Weakness is the windows. Want light and not have to take everything home each trip. Bought some trail camera signs and a cellular trail camera but reception is not good in the area.
Thanks for the responses.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 18 Jul 2024 01:05pm
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You could run rebar through all the window openings And wall studs (resistant to cordless reciprocating saw) and your steel door needs to have reenforced lock and hinge areas.
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DaveBell
Moderator
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# Posted: 25 Jul 2024 05:27am
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Quoting: LeeMn Looking for better design for preventing people from breaking in. Any ideas?
Physical Security Science. Deter, Delay, Detect.
Windows. Heavy Expanded steel sheet bolted through wall with six Bolt, Washer, Washer, Nylon Locknut. When they try to unscrew the bolt it will just spin because of the lock nut. You can still use the window for ventilation. One measure of improvement; wielded L shape stock making a frame then wield the mesh to the frame.
Door. Four hour fire rated door. It has a steel frame. With hand set lock and 2" throw dead bolt.
"But I put up a metal door from home depot?" Yeah with a weak point of 1\2 inch of pine at the handset.
No matter what you do, it can be defeated. However, make it so tough, they need to pack a lunch to get into your place or make so they decide to move on to easier pickings.
Don't store anything of value. If you don't want to lose it, take it home with you. Disable you snow sled, ATV, Tractor and take the parts home with you.
Like the coil wire, or take a tire home with you.
And use game cameras. I have the cellular one that send pics to my phone.
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jvgo
Member
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# Posted: 26 Jul 2024 08:26pm
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I "borrowed" this from Facebook. If I was going to write a sign I would do it the same way. You know straight up you are entering a place where people know who is supposed to be there. I had to read this out loud in redneck in order to understand it.
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 28 Jul 2024 11:28am
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Location location location. One of the major things we looked for when we bought property was it wasn't a short cut and wasn't a well traveled route. Sadly you cant change that on your cabin.
We do have solar cellular PTZ cameras. The cheap $80 one works well with a $120 yearly data plan. Consider everything left at the cabin bait for the first few years.
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KinAlberta
Member
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# Posted: 29 Jul 2024 02:35am
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The hinged plywood over the windows sounds great as is.
- Could dress up the exterior for a good or interesting look when closed.
- Could screw on metal as well. Or add rebar or something to it. (Exposed or hidden)
If hinged at the top the plywood could serve as an awning too.
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KinAlberta
Member
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# Posted: 29 Jul 2024 02:55am - Edited by: KinAlberta
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Print on a piece of paper stapled to the door:
“Key is hanging on the nail.
Please lock door and
put key back
after you see
that there is nothing
valuable inside.”
But don’t put the key on the nail so they think someone has been there before them
Or fake the security
Say, put up way out of reach, a couple used cameras with fake wires, a cheap solar panel and an antenna to make it look like you’ve got some security system.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 29 Jul 2024 01:27pm
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Surprised there isn't a link provided in all that.....
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deercula
Member
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# Posted: 5 Aug 2024 03:19pm
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Leemn,
Since you are remodeling, it would be a good time to put in some hidden areas. Floors, walls etc can be used stash things that will not be found in a quick smash and grab.
With the cordless power tools available today, it's impossible to keep thieves out. Cell cams with instant notification will give you a shot at calling the police. However, you will be constantly pestered by false alarms like birds, bats, falling leaves, etc .
Good luck, enjoy your refurbished cabin!
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KinAlberta
Member
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# Posted: 11 Aug 2024 09:10pm
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We have window security film on some of our home’s glass. Great stuff. Nearly 30 years old now and still invisible.
However it’s on the tempered glass in the doors. It will just hold the little pieces of glass together and allow a thief to push it in. We should have put it on plate glass that would then stay more securely in the frame.
On one vulnerable cabin window I used Lexan. It’s held up well.
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Desim
Member
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# Posted: 14 Aug 2024 03:38pm
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Personal experience, cameras.
Had minor vandalism several times at our Cross. No electricity so installed trail cameras with night-vision. Captured great images of the kids and knew several of them.
I went to one of them, 16 years old, and mentioned I saw they had been to the site and asked they take good care of it.
5+ years later, no more issues, guess all the kids know it is monitored.
Few like their bad deeds to come to light.
I've installed cameras on all my properties. In another instance a renter was thought to be murdered, only outside camera footage dispelled this.
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LeeMn
Member
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# Posted: 19 Aug 2024 03:44pm
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Some great ideas.
Thanks!
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johnmiller
Member
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# Posted: 23 Oct 2024 04:56am
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I'm in the process of gutting our 1970s hunting cabin in northern WI and need advice on securing the windows. We've had multiple break-ins, and with frequent traffic on the dirt road and ATV/snowmobile route, I want to ensure better protection this time around. Currently, we have plywood sheets secured with toggle bolts and wingnuts, but I’m looking for a more effective solution.
What options do you recommend for window security that can withstand break-ins? I'm considering options like reinforced window frames, security film, or even specialized locks. Any suggestions or experiences would be greatly appreciated!
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 23 Oct 2024 01:44pm - Edited by: gcrank1
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Geesh, another cut&paste 
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 24 Oct 2024 12:50am
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I am building out of steel, nice window covers, double as storm covers, very secure, also protect cabin windows from blowing broken branches etc. I have purchased all the metal and small parts, got started on one frame already. The screen will be expanded metal. 30 seconds to remove each.
I butted the corners vs miter them for less waste and stronger, then I will gut the square it leaves behind out.
I will post pictures of the finished product and progress along the way. They will be painted brown, buytl take between it and the cabin (water proof membrane) and screwed into structure with the low profile pan head spider drive screws.
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LeeMn
Member
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# Posted: 24 Oct 2024 02:15am - Edited by: LeeMn
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Looks heavy duty, but not understanding how your are going to mount them. Very interested in seeing this progress and final product.
Please keep us updated!!
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 24 Oct 2024 12:32pm - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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Quoting: LeeMn Looks heavy duty, but not understanding how your are going to mount them. Very interested in seeing this progress and final product.
The flange you see goes around the window, with 1/4" clearance all the way around. The flat flange will use 4" ledger lock style, very low profile pan head with a special bit to screw them in, chamfer the edge so cant grip with vise grips, second part with expanded metal and slightly smaller angle iron will go over the base, concealing the screws. Will slide down over barrel hinges and lock in the down position. So unlock, slide up and off barrel hinges.
I will post updates along the way. Making first oen as a prototype, been designing in my head for a year. I wanted secure, protection over winter storms also and quick to remove
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 2 Nov 2024 10:16pm - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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OK, finalized or nailed down my design, first one was a prototype, made a few changes on my design in my head. Went for simplicity, speed, butt joints vs mitered.
I wanted to keep it simple with little grinding/fitting.
Got it. I used barrel hinges for the locking pins, not using them for a hinge, but a pin and a receiver for the pin. Set cover on, slide down into barrel hinges, install padlock.
After all built, I will have the expanded metal cut and weld it in place. Then paint to match cabin or a flat black.
frameandcover2.jpg
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barrelhinge.jpg
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closed.jpg
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locked.jpg
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 4 Nov 2024 01:33pm - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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Went into mass production, came up a smidge short on steel. Pre cut all the frames I could, welded those all up, now more steel. The covers will be made after the frames are made.
I had trouble seeing on my prototype, glasses fogging and also weld helmet. I have ordered some anti fog spray, so should help. Weather was less humid yesterday and warmer, so no fogging.
So at a standstill for now.
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indianbullet
Member
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# Posted: 13 Nov 2024 02:18am
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New member, new cabin owner. Great ideas here.
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