Barely a day goes by without someone asking me the following: "What should I do to prepare my home for a post-apocalyptic zombie invasion?"...

Ok, if I am honest, only one person has ever asked me this question, and he was a homeless man drinking cider from a brown paper bag. But the question remains valid, or at the very least, it serves the purpose as an intro to this article.

The home security expert with a fetish for zombie culture will already know that there are 3 key areas you will need to focus on if you want to keep the flesh eaters out:

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

Any good home/base should have these 3 key factors, but also, your base should have a lot of windows... why? because in a post apocalyptic world, it is unlikely the electricity companies will still be running properly, so windows are key. So what better place for a zombie protection base than your conservatory!

****STRENGTH****

Here are some tricks to make your windows more zombie-proof:

(1) Add a layer of synthetic film/sheet of synthetic glass or plastic to the outside and inside of the window

(2) Change the glass in your windows to be thicker, a synthetic glass, or adding security windows (with wire embedded in the glass -- examples of synthetic glass includes Pyrex, Plexiglass, and Lucite) Get your free quote here

(3) Add 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.

****TRANSPARENCY****

Anyone who has listened to a Cliff Richard album will know the feeling of perpetual darkness, but zombies and darkness are not a good mix, so we need sunlight in our base. 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.

(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

 ****Weatherproof****

Since the energy supply in our zombiefied world 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. Remember, to date, more people have died from pneumonia than zombies. Sleep Tight.