Safe rooms, also known as storm shelters, are a great option for families with elderly members or people in wheelchairs who may have trouble getting down steps. These shelters are more like a room inside your home but meet all federal and state safety standards.
If you live in an area prone to tornadoes, this type of shelter is a necessity. A custom safe room can be built in the basement of your house or as an above ground storm cellar.
1. Protection from Tornadoes
When tornadoes strike, most people head to interior rooms or cellars, but these are not designed to withstand the high velocity winds of tornadoes. A storm safe room offers you and your family the ultimate protection from these destructive storms, especially if your home doesn’t have a basement or fully underground storm shelter.
Even if you live in a mobile home, you can create a safe space by identifying the lowest level of your house and locating it away from doors and windows. Alternatively, you can look for the lowest floor of any sturdy building in your area and take cover there.
The sandwich skin of a safe room consists of plywood oriented with opposing grain directions and 14-gauge steel, which both absorb the impact of flying debris. You can have a custom safe room built onsite or purchase a prefabricated model. Both types offer the same levels of safety, but the onsite option is more expensive because you will need to design it to meet your specific needs and local building codes.
2. Increased Home Value
A storm room, also known as a safe room, is designed to protect family members during severe weather and natural disasters. These rooms can be built in basements, above ground or in-ground and are often designed to withstand tornadoes, hurricanes, and other severe wind events.
In the past, when a storm threatened, families would often retreat to their basements for protection. However, a drywalled room cannot withstand the high-velocity winds that accompany tornadoes. When a tornado hits, it can carry debris at up to 200 miles per hour, which is nearly impossible for a drywalled room to withstand.
Because of this, people who live in areas prone to extreme winds are more likely to install a storm shelter or safe room to keep their family safe during the event. As a result, having this type of room can boost your home value, making it more desirable for potential buyers. In fact, a study by Austin College and the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes found that houses with storm safe rooms sell for about $4,200 or 3.5 percent more than homes without these safety features.
3. Storage
A storm shelter is a great place to store emergency supplies. This can include things like medications, first aid kits, food, and blankets. It can also be used to store valuables.
The most common type of storm shelter is an underground basement storm cellar. However, safe rooms are becoming increasingly popular. These are much more convenient and offer the same level of protection as a basement. Additionally, they are suitable for people who are claustrophobic and would find it difficult to climb down steps in the event of a disaster.
One way to increase the storage space in your storm shelter is to install shelves along the walls. This will save space and lift major items off the floor, making it easier to maneuver. It is important to keep these shelves clean and free of debris. Using overhead storage is also a good idea for things such as tools and cloth materials. This way, they will be easily accessible if you need them during a disaster.
4. Peace of Mind
A storm shelter is a very secure place for you and your family to take cover when extreme winds strike. It gives you near-absolute protection from the dangerous flying debris and soaring debris that comes with tornadoes and hurricanes.
You can also use your storm safe room as storage for your valuable items, guns, and anything else that might need to be protected against water damage and theft. Our shelters are tamper-proof and lockable to help keep your belongings safe from unauthorized access.
When severe weather strikes, you may not have much time to escape from your home. With a tornado or hurricane, you have 15 to 20 minutes to get away from your home before the debris starts hitting. Having your own safe room or storm shelter allows you to remain close to home and protect yourself from the dangers of the elements. This peace of mind is invaluable. This is a gift that your family will cherish for a lifetime.
