Above Ground vs. In-Home Storm Shelters—Which is Better?

What’s the difference between an above-ground shelter, like a storm cellar, and a more traditional in-home shelter?

You might think that they’re drastically different, but in reality, the two are pretty similar in terms of their strengths and weaknesses. This article will break down all the information about them so that you can decide which is the safest when a storm hits in your area.

Above-Ground Shelters

An above-ground shelter is a separate structure from home. The main benefit of an above-ground shelter is that it can withstand stronger winds than an in-home shelter. Storms with tornadoes have been known to turn over mobile homes that were not specially designed for the weather conditions.

When placed in a safe location, like next to a sturdy building, an above-ground shelter will fare much better. They also tend to be a lot easier to get into and out of during a storm.

In-Home Shelters

In-home shelters are usually more customizable than above-ground shelters. If you have specific needs, then you can easily make changes to accommodate them.

For instance, if you have an elderly relative who needs help moving in and out of the shelter, then you can modify your home’s shelter by putting in stairs or even a ramp. If your home is already equipped with one of these additions, it will make your life much easier when a storm is approaching.

How Are the Two Are Similar?

Beyond these benefits, the two types of shelters have some very similar features. In most cases, the layout of an in-home shelter is the same as a storm shelter.

Both shelters can be built into softball dugouts that sit directly outside your home and are close to each other. They’re usually only two to four feet tall but can go as high as eight feet, depending on the construction of your home.

How Are They Different?

The most significant difference between the two types is what’s inside them. In-home shelters are usually made to accommodate a few people at most. The area will be divided into zones that will help you maximize your resources, and it will have enough supplies for you and your family during the storm.

Above-ground shelters follow the same general setup, but they can be customized to fit your family’s needs as well. Ensure that your shelter is accessible and is a safe distance from the home itself. Many builders will allow you to customize your shelter with specific items like specialized lighting or controlled ventilation systems.

They can also install plumbing or electrical systems if they don’t already exist in your storm shelter.

Get Your Storm Shelter!

If you’re looking for safe room shelters and custom safe rooms in Dallas, TX, then we’ve got you covered. At Safe Rooms US, our storm shelters meet the FEMA requirements and come with a ten-year warranty against corrosions and leaks.

Get a free shelter quote today, or contact us to find out more about our range of storm shelters.

3 Reasons To Invest In A Storm Shelter

Storm shelters are becoming more popular in states like Oklahoma and Texas where tornadoes and storms are quite common. These provide a safe space for people to take shelter during extreme weather, keeping them safe.

There are still many homeowners in these states that haven’t had a storm shelter installed in their homes for various reasons. However, with major tornadoes hitting Dallas last May, it’s important for homeowners to consider this safety measure.

Here are some reasons to invest in a storm shelter:

Storms are Unpredictable

The unpredictability of weather makes it crucial for homeowners to invest in a storm shelter of their own. While many communities have storm shelters, it takes times to reach them, which puts you and your family at risk. Certain storms and tornadoes move much quicker and you need to find shelter immediately.

It’s a Lifelong Investment

The common misconception with storm shelters is that they’re very expensive and therefore only meant for the affluent. In reality, safe rooms are more affordable than you realize. Firstly, they are made of high quality materials that can withstand E5 tornadoes and secondly, they last many decades. For the number of storms and tornadoes that occur in Texas, having a safe room always pays off.

A Safe Space of Your Own

Instead of relying on the goodwill of others to help you out during a crisis like a tornado, have your own safe room installed so your family always has a safe space to take shelter in. The safe room can be used if an intruder trespasses your property, when there’s political unrest, and during extreme weather as well.

Get storm shelters in Fort Worth by us. We have over 25 years of experience in this industry. Our team assists clients in choosing the perfect shelter for their needs. We build and install steel tornado shelters, concrete shelters, underground bunkers, and underground garage shelter across Texas and Oklahoma. We build and install safe rooms for clients within 10 days and our steel safe rooms can get installed in just 45 minutes! Get a free quote for your own shelter room today.

4 Reasons Your Home Needs a Safe Room

What gets most of us through the most challenging days is the thought of returning to our humble abode. A home is the most significant investment decision you can take throughout your life. For this investment to increase in value, it is necessary to upgrade your home and avail timely maintenance checks.

While the furniture and paint may play a significant role in increasing your home’s outlook, nothing matters more than feeling safe and protected in your home. Here’s why you need to install a safe room for your home.

Store Your Most Valuable Possessions

No matter how safe your home is, it doesn’t hurt to be extra cautious. Invest in a secure room to store your most prized possessions and keep them out of reach. Suppose there is any chance of a home invasion or robbery in your house. In that case, you won’t need to worry about securing your valuables and can retreat to your safe room for shelter.

Creates A Sense of Security

A safe room can help protect you and your loved ones by keeping you out of harm’s way. Steel safe rooms can act as the perfect hiding place for you and your family. Stock the safe room with several emergency supplies to take shelter for as long as you would like. In the event of any threat, you won’t need to waste time coordinating over a meeting spot when everyone already knows the safe room is there to take shelter in.

Helps Withstand Natural Disasters

A safe room can be used as a steel storm shelter in any natural disasters, including tornados and dangerous weather. The structure is made up of steel and has anchor bolts placed at a distance of 12 inches. The bolts weigh around ten thousand pounds and are highly effective in protecting against storms and tornados— even F5 ones.

Extra Storage Option

Have you ever felt like there’s a lot of clutter around you, but you can’t get rid of it? We have, and that’s why we recommend investing in a safe room as a storage option for all types of supplies. Whether it’s emergency snacks, medicines, water, a first-aid kit, or anything you may need to stock up on, a safe room is the ideal place to put all of this.

Buying a safe room for your Texas home can prove to be a viable investment, and if you’re looking to invest in steel safe rooms in Texas, you’ve come to the right place.

At Safe Rooms US, we offer a range of safe rooms in Texas. Our Texas safe rooms include above-ground storm shelters in Texas, community storm shelters, and more. You can also get a custom-built safe room to meet your exact needs.

Reach out to us for safe room shelters and ensure a safe and secure home environment.

Critical Reasons to Get a Tornado Safe Room in Texas

Tornadoes are very common in Texas. Stats show that every year and throughout history, tornadoes have been hitting Texas with the highest frequency in the area surrounding the Red River Valley. Texas has experienced the most tornados, and over 8000 funnel clouds have been recorded since 1951. Whenever a tornado hits, it results in the loss of many lives and property. It takes months to recover from the impact, and before the state fully recovers, another tornado is already approaching.

Under such circumstances, investing in a safe room can help you and your family stay safe. Although there isn’t much you can do to avoid tornadoes, safe rooms can definitely help you keep you and your family safe.

Convenience

Tornadoes and harsh weather conditions are a norm for the people of Texas. Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to predict when a tornado is coming. Despite their efforts, the weather control centers and authorities have been failing to adequately warn people when a tornado is approaching. You might just wake up one day and realize that a tornado is about to hit your house. In such a panic situation, finding an underground safe place won’t be easy, and you can’t rely on anyone to come to your rescue. The only way you can save yourself and your family from the speeding disaster approaching you is to invest in a safe room. Building a safe room in your house can not only save your life but also give you time to take some of your precious belongings and keep them safe. You won’t have to take the risk of rushing with your family to a community shelter, which might already be closed by the time you reach.

Protection

No matter what your home is made up of and how well-maintained it is. It’s very unlikely that it’ll survive when a tornado hits. However, your home can be rebuilt, and you can buy new things. However, losing a life is something you really can’t afford. If you wish to protect yourself and your family and have peace of mind when a tornado hits, investing in a safe room is all that you need.

At Safe Rooms US, we offer aboveground shelters and installation services for residential and commercial clients. So, if you’re in Denison, Plano, Fort Worth, Sherman, or Dallas, you can reach out to us for shelters to protect your family and friends from natural disasters.

Characteristics to Look Out for in Your First (or Next) Safe Room

Throughout American history, hundreds of thousands of people have been affected by tornadoes. Some lost their lives; others were left homeless within a few minutes. Unfortunately, there isn’t anything you can do to stop tornadoes from coming. However, you can make arrangements to protect yourself and your families at least. For this purpose, safe rooms are the best possible solution.

Safe rooms are specifically designed to remain anchored to the ground during a tornado. But, more importantly, a safe room is created to keep the occupants safe when a tornado strikes and deadly debris hurdles through the air at 200 mph. Ideally, they should be installed in basements or backyards, according to the needs of your house. This blog post will highlight what you should look for in a safe room.

Material

The material used to construct a safe room is of immense importance. You can’t risk your life by going for poor quality material. Hence, the first thing you should consider when investing in a safe room is the material used. Ideally, both the interior and exterior of your safe room must be made from concrete as it’s the safest option and least likely to get damaged when a tornado hits.

Capacity

The next thing you should consider is the capacity of your safe room. It should have enough space to accommodate you and your family. It’s better to have a larger safe room because you never know when a tornado strikes, and your neighbours may also need your support.

Above-Ground Shelter

Smaller shelters above the ground can are bolted to a concrete base in a basement or garage. However, the concrete floor must be thick enough to hold the safe room firmly. And it must have high quality steel reinforcement. The above-ground safe room must use proper hardware according to the precise specs detailed by the manufacturer.

Need to invest in a tornado safety solution? Looking to create a safe room? We offer high quality, FEMA approved tornado shelters in Dallas. Reach out for shelters to protect your family and friends from natural disasters.