Fortifying Your Base: Windows and Safety

When we choose a location for a post-apocalypse base, we will more than likely not have a steady source of electricity, and even so, we will likely not have an abundant source of replacement light bulbs. Thus, we should find a base where there are lots of windows and lots of light. However, doubtless the reader has predicted where the problem may come in, there are only so many windows a place can have before there is the concern of safety and durability. To maximize the safety, comfort, and lifespan of your shelter, you are going to want to make the most of everything we can that doesn’t need constant care. Thus, when looking at a shelter/base for the apocalypse, there are four things that people need to be aware of when it comes to windows:

(1) Strength
(2) Transparency
(3) Weatherproof
(4) Durability

Strength:

Your first concern is going to be whether or not the windows can keep out the bad things – be they zombies, wild animals, or raiders intent on stealing everything they can – whatever may be trying to get in, you will want to keep things where they are. Most windows will not be efficient at this as most are made of glass that can be broken with a sudden, isolated application of force. Granted it will last through a limited amount of zombies scraping at the window and perhaps even pounding a little, but to make sure you keep the bad things out, consider reinforcing it in any number of ways. Here are some options to help increase the strength of the windows in your home/base:

(1) Adding a layer of synthetic film/sheet of synthetic glass or plastic to the outside and inside of the window
(2) Changing the glass in your windows to be thicker, a synthetic glass, or adding security windows (with wire imbedded in the glass -- examples of synthetic glass includes Pyrex, Plexiglass, and Lucite)
(3) Adding a layer of wire mesh or some other rigid, very strong though not transparent (sheet metal, wire mesh, plywood, bricks, etc.)

While adding metal security bars across the window would keep the bad things out, it would not protect the windows themselves. As you will see, keeping the windows whole, without cracks and holes, will give you a more secure, comfortable, and durable base. For security purposes, the best option would be to brick over the windows in your house, however, doing so would cause the second factor to be virtually non-existant.

Transparency:

If you have ever locked yourself in your bathroom (assuming your bathroom has no windows) you will quickly realize what it would be like to live in perpetual darkness. While there are ways to increase light flow into a room without using the windows (you may use mirrors, open holes, or manufactured skylight systems) but for the best security and comfort, it is going to be windows that will make the best light source. Given the previous concern about safety, there may be an inclination to board up all the windows and cover them with metal sheeting to keep the bad things out. However, even if you should choose to do that, there are a few things one can do to keep a moderate amount of light flowing through:

(1) If you must use a solid, opaque material, add perforations (holes) to make sure light can get through
(2) Use woven material like wire mesh or chain-link fence to the outside of fences to add strength without blocking too much light
(3) Whenever possible, use transparent materials (like Plexiglass) for reinforcement with an addition of a more solid material such as wire mesh or metal bars for additional security

While reinforcing your base, if you keep these ideas in mind, you can have a base that is quite secure while still maintaining a proper lighting throughout all floors of the house.

Weatherproof:

A concern of modern homebuilders and homebuyers is energy consumption and weatherproofing. Lots of windows usually means a lot of cold air in the winter and a lot of heat in the summer, however, in zombie dystopia, it could mean even more than a higher heating bill. Since the energy supply in zombie dystopia is going to be highly limited, we will want to maintain a good temperature as much as possible. Using windows if high quality or using multiple windows in one frame will help insulate from either of the extremes. Considering that the window coverings may be no more than perforated sheet metal or plywood, there will need to be a way of keeping the rain or snow out. Using one or many of the following ideas can help to keep your locale temperate and safe:

(1) When possible, use a double layer of material to maintain a layer of insulating air and to help maintain proper temperature inside
(2) Use high quality material when possible – many high quality glass materials will have a reflective though transparent layer of metal on the outside of the glass, keeping too much sunlight in and overheating the building
(3) If there is no solid material available, that meets the previous criteria and you must use an opaque material with holes, make sure there is some sort of storm covering to keep the elements out in case of a bad storm

Remember, part of safety is thinking not only of the zombies outside, but the natural elements that can make you ill just as easily.

Durability:

Given the previous criteria, I shall keep this explanation short. In zombie dystopia, you don’t want to have material that needs to be fixed all the time. Find something sturdy and durable that you don’t need to replace all the time and find something that, if you do need to replace it, will be easy to find and easy to replace. I won’t give pointers for this. Just know that things break, and when they need to be fixed, no one wants to spend more time near zombies than they have to. Keep it simple and keep it safe.