1. Introduction to Home Security and Design

Optimal home design depends on much more than visual attractiveness. A residence represents one of a family’s major investments and a place of refuge for its occupants, properties, and pets; it also makes a powerful statement about the people who live there. The design of a home can encourage burglars by offering enticing objectives and opportunities for profitable felonious actions. But a home’s design can raise its risk priority considerably and thereby reduce its chances of being burglarized or targeted for a more serious loss-related event.

People concerned with the safe and attractive design of their homes often find themselves confronted with seemingly competing goals. Having a home that is burglar-proof seems to require living with the look of a fortress. Stylish home design, on the other hand, often incorporates open windows and doors and other features that make it friendly and comfortable, but also potentially more vulnerable to break-ins and burglaries. With innovative thinking and a new consideration of security features, however, people can have homes that are both stylish and secure. Homeowners cannot necessarily prevent all break-ins, property losses, or injuries to their families, but there are some things they can do to reduce the probability of such personal and financial costs. They can take steps to make certain that uninvited intruders are not easily perceived as they prowl the neighborhood and to make it clear that an unobserved entry into or lollygagging inside one’s property is not possible.

1.1. The Importance of Balancing Security and Aesthetics

How, then, can we combine the necessity of security with stylish interiors and designs? To do so, we will have to pay the utmost attention to the latest fashion trends and technological developments, which can help us achieve aesthetically pleasing results without any compromise. This book highlights the best in both security IC placement on house plans and architectural design, in an effort to better understand which security requirements need to be imposed on buildings, with particular attention to the criteria of different building sectors. The aim of the book is also to provide designers, architects, equipment designers, and installers with an easy-to-consult working tool, complete with guidelines and examples of the correct approach for designing appropriate solutions. The focus of the book is not on systems, but on the components of these systems, and the emphasis is therefore placed on technology and architectural aspects. We present a detailed description of the topics and technologies.

Safe and secure homes are critical not only to protect our family and possessions from theft, burglary, or vandalism, but to give us peace of mind. After all, nothing is as much of a turn-off as navigating our foyers’ array of surveillance equipment, steel shutters, and other security devices designed to secure our homes. Homes meant to be our islands of relaxation now look more like drive-through banks. Visitors squirm in discomfort as we disable the alarm system, unlock the door by remote control, and disarm the motion detectors embedded in our plants. Rapid technological advances have given us an abundance of products designed to protect our homes, but many fail to take into account the importance of aesthetics. To feel comfortable, we crave a balance between security, considered a basic necessity that is able to work without any bothersome interaction, and a style that conveys our personal sense of design.