Tractor/Equipment Shed with Cabin

[lakngulf]

I have been collecting various posts and lumber to build a small equipment shed at the farm and hunting land. Portion of land and site I have chosen sits back off the road a quarter mile, and will not be easily accessible for wanna be thieves, but I want to have at least one spot that is as secure as possible. My idea is a 16x16 cabin, and three 12x16 equipment bays. In one bay next to the cabin I want to have a 4x8 or so room to store a generator, chains, tools, and other items that I don't want to have legs.

What is the best way to build this securely? Are there doors and locks that deter or make it difficult for entry? Thanks for your help.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I don't know of any lock that can deter a thief if given enough uninterrupted time. With todays battery powered grinders/saws etc. they can cut just about any material in a matter of minutes.

Maybe some video surveillance cameras that transmit photos via cell phone. One that just stores to a hard drive aren't much value if the thief finds them, he just takes the recording. It wont stop a thief but may help catch them. Sounds like you may not have power so a good UPS system to run the camera with a good solar charging system is an option but still will require some monitoring of the power. This may not be worth the $$$$ to install depending on what you are protecting.

Maybe just get some good insurance with low deductible.

 

[flusher]

I have been collecting various posts and lumber to build a small equipment shed at the farm and hunting land. Portion of land and site I have chosen sits back off the road a quarter mile, and will not be easily accessible for wanna be thieves, but I want to have at least one spot that is as secure as possible. My idea is a 16x16 cabin, and three 12x16 equipment bays. In one bay next to the cabin I want to have a 4x8 or so room to store a generator, chains, tools, and other items that I don't want to have legs.

What is the best way to build this securely? Are there doors and locks that deter or make it difficult for entry? Thanks for your help.

Best way for security: build with cinder blocks and use reinforced steel security doors.

 

[boggen]

a determined thief will get what they want. at most you can detour the wanna be's. ((kids / teenagers)) that see an easy opportunity.

generator = small box outside, so ya not lugging it in/out for use with cabin and what not. (primary to deal with exhaust) set it up to run off grid, and install lights / outlets in cabin and equipment area. works pretty nice.

8x4 thing (beh) biggest pain in rear dealing with mice. if ya going with 3 equipment bays, plus a cabin.... i would say forget the little shed. put in your large doors, put the locks inside for the large doors. and then deal with a couple small doors (entry into actual shed area/bays), and 1 for the cabin for security and call it good enough.

 

[EddieWalker]

Most home theft is from drug addicts looking for something to sell. They are usually very resourceful and determined, but lacking in any real planning with their actions. If it looks like they might get caught or they have to put too much effort into it, they will look elsewhere. I'm a big fan of lots of lights. I know the argument against lights is that they just make it easier for the thieves to see what's there, but I believe that they want to be in the dark and not be seen. A good quality camera or two will also make a huge different in trying to find them if they do anything. And of course, a gate that they can't get through will slow them down too.

As for the most secure type of building, the entry points and windows are where you are vulnerable. It wont matter if it's all concrete if you have a window on it. Doors need to be able to withstand a serious beating if you don't have windows. I have a buddy with a shop in Oakland CA that was getting robbed all the time. They would just cut the metal walls out of his building and peal it back to get into it. Fortunately two of them died while cutting copper, which seems to have fixed the problem for the time being. Of course he still had to repair his building after they took the bodies out.

Good luck,
Eddie