In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of a terrestrial structure. This is the most common type of structure, the easiest to build, and the easiest to access. A "terrestrial structure" or "ground structure" is a shelter that is built at ground level. This could be a fortified house, or a secondary structure external from your house. The benefit to having a terrestrial structure is that getting to and holding the area is quicker than other structure types. A ground structure also makes hiding easy as you will not be able to be seen from a distance by undesirables. The ground structure is also easy to stock up and escape from if the need arises. On the downside, when you are discovered, they are easy to overrun and can be surrounded, cutting off escape or rescue.

You can build your shelter out of various materials; wood, cement, and metal. If you are planning to fortify your house, there are a few things to take into consideration to see if it is even worth fortifying, or if an external structure would be a better alternative. With a ground structure, keep in mind that it is susceptible to destruction by bombs and fires. If you live in an area that might be bombed during an all out zombie war, that should be taken that into consideration when building your shelter.

	A house with the windows boarded up

Now, the first type of terrestrial structure that most people have access to is their home. There are so many different styles and constructions of homes we can't even begin to go in to detail on which would be a viable as a means of defense and which ones would not. All we can do is give a rough idea of what to consider when looking at your house and you will have to use a little brain power and make a decision on what you should do.

A house that would NOT be a good choice to fortify would be one where the grounds surrounding the house are flat and there are no obstructions. All the windows and doors are at ground level with a big sliding glass door in the rear. THIS IS NOT A GOOD SETUP. You would have to board up every single door and window. By the time you are surrounded, there is no good fallback point and no good escape exit except to the roof. A raised style house, with a set of stairs that could be removed if necessary, with the windows above 7 feet off the ground level would be a much better choice. Field research has shown that zombies lack the motor skills needed to climb, and so until the bodies start piling up outside, they won't be able to breach the structure. The benefit to using your house as a primary fortification is that you are already using many of the fortifications daily. Your surroundings will be familiar to you. Your structure will not be easily identified as a target by marauders and you will be comfortable with things like beds and, depending on how you have prepared, hot food and water. On the downside a home is hard to prepare for the siege and live in day-by-day. Usually, you will need some time to put your preparations into place before the house will be ready for the horde of the walking dead to come stumbling down upon you. For information on fortifying you home, read our home fortification tutorial.

	A pill box

Another type of structure to consider would be the bunker style or pill box. These types of structures were and are still built by the military for troops and high ranking officials. These bunkers border on being terrestrial and subterranean, but since part of this structure is above ground we'll keep it in the terrestrial category. I know as a kid I would have loved a bunker in the backyard but I think my neighbors would have thought we were doomsday freaks. Then again leaving them outside and watching them get eaten by zombies might be a fitting revenge to some. Teach them a lesson about making fun of people. A bunker is a wonderful shelter usually built to be very strong and able to withstand a surface explosion. If it's a bunker made to repel an attack, you should be able to stock up on ammo and hold your position for a while. The only downside with a bunker is, as with other terrestrial structures, it has the ability to be surrounded; all the zombies have to do is wait. And trust me they have no problem waiting. You have nowhere to go except through them. Overall, a ground structure is easy to build, provides adequate defense of an initial outbreak, and depending on the structure, may be able to withstand a small ground strike from bombing. On the down side, where an aerial structure will keep you away from zombies with a chance of rescue from above a ground structure does not provide this once you are surrounded. You will probably end up being overrun, fighting your way out, or starving to death. Not the most favorable of options. For information on building a bunker, read our bunker tutorial.

• Home Fortification Tutorial
• Shelter Guide - Subterranean Structures
• Shelter Guide - Aerial Structures
• Building a Ground Bunker Tutorial