Best Storm Shelters : Review And Buying Guide
Brandon Forder May 19, 2024 8:25 PM
In response to the increasing threat of severe weather, especially increasingly devastating tornadoes, the need for storm shelters has increased.
Storm shelters under the ground aren't an option for many people. Because of the high water table in the Mississippi Valley, it is impossible to build anything underground.
This isn't always a terrible thing, though.
In the eyes of some experts, the advantages of above-ground storm shelters much outweigh the disadvantages.
It is easier to get into an above-ground storm shelter, especially for people with mobility challenges, and they can also provide emergency protection from attackers.
Before determining what to look for in a reliable above-ground storm shelter, let's take a look at some of the top storm shelter manufacturers and their products.
Compare Products
- SCORE8.2
- BrandABCCANOPY
- Prime
Last update on 2024-05-19 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
Types of Storm Shelters
A lot depends on the sort of storm shelter you pick when figuring out how much one will cost. To help you decide which type is ideal for your requirements, below is some information on each.
In-Ground Shelters
Because they cannot be blown over or shattered by falling debris, in-ground shelters are the most secure and long-lasting option for a storm emergency. Prefabricated or custom-built shelters are available in a variety of materials and sizes. Some sites may not be suitable for an underground storm shelter because they may be at risk of flooding. A local installer and a soil test can help determine if an in-ground shelter is a viable option for you.
Above-Ground Shelters
Compared to in-ground storm shelters, above-ground shelters are less expensive and more flexible in terms of where they may be installed. In many cases, these are prefabricated units that may be put in a garage, basement or even a bedroom. In addition, they're helpful for those who have accessibility concerns. In order to build them, you'll need to leave enough room underneath for a concrete platform.
Basement Shelters
Building a storm shelter in the basement of a home with a basement is a simple and cost-effective option. Basement shelters must be secured to the concrete foundation and should not be placed under heavy items on the main floor, like a piano, refrigerator, bookcase, or safe.
Garage Shelters
A storm shelter can also be built in a garage. In order to secure the shelter, they already have a concrete platform. For large families, this implies that you'll have to settle for a smaller shelter than typical.
Secure Rooms
Storm shelters and panic rooms are both terms for secure rooms or safe rooms, which can be used interchangeably. Locks, surveillance technology, and a telephone to call for emergency services are commonly included in safe rooms designed to protect against weather and intruders. They can, however, be used as storm shelters if they are built to resist hurricane and tornado-force winds. As long as they're within the home and easy to get to, you're in business!
Building Permits and Legislation
The guidelines must be followed, no matter how desperate you are for storm protection. A building permission is required in several places before an above-ground storm shelter can be built in the open.
Safe rooms and shelters built inside will be exempt from this rule, which could make them more viable.
Accessibility
Above-ground storm shelters are more popular since they are more convenient to get to than underground shelters.
Having flat terrain to the shelter will make access much easy whether you have young children or more senior family members.
To accommodate wheelchair users, FamilySAFE's MAX Shelter is perhaps the most cost-effective and convenient choice available.
Location
Storm shelters can quickly become inaccessible if life's normal clutter takes hold. It doesn't matter if your shelter is in your garage or basement; without easy access, it serves no use.
An external tornado shelter must be no more than 150 feet from your house if you choose to use one. Power lines, nearby structures, and large trees, which could obstruct your path to and from the shelter in a major storm, should also be taken into account.
Cost
The cost of constructing a storm shelter is heavily influenced by the design of the shelter. Some need a lot of work, while others may be added on easily. Storm shelters are available in a variety of styles, including prefabricated and custom storm shelters. Depending on where you live and the current market demand, the cost of the materials you use will also vary.
Prefab vs. Custom
Using prefabricated storm shelters can be a cost-effective approach to meet conventional safety criteria. A tiny prefabricated in-ground storm shelter could cost anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000 in addition to delivery and installation. It is possible that a 5-foot by 5-foot by 8-foot shelter may not be large enough for your needs, so the cost may be greater.
Anywhere you choose, custom storm shelters can be erected. For a price, you'll get more of what you want out of a custom-built project. Depending on the size of the shelter, you might expect to pay up to $30,000.
Above-Ground vs. Underground
Compared to underground storm shelters, the price of an above-ground shelter is less. The majority of these above-ground shelters are positioned in a garage or basement. There is a wide variety in price between garage storm shelters and above-ground storm shelters, which can cost up to $15,000.
Between $4,000 and $30,000 is the typical cost of an underground storm shelter. Due to the difficulty of building underground, these are more expensive to install. A local installer can help you evaluate which type of shelter is ideal for your location, as underground shelters can be more safe and take up less room.
Shelter Size
As little as 5 feet by 5 feet by 8 feet, some prefab units are large enough to accommodate a few persons in a pinch. If you live in a location prone to tornadoes, you should plan on 6 square feet per person and 10 square feet per person for hurricane-prone areas, respectively. Having a large family or sharing the cost of building a storm shelter with a neighbor may necessitate an eight-person shelter.
Delivery and Installation
In many cases, prefabricated storm shelters include the cost of shipping and installation in their listed price. They could face additional fees of up to $3,000 if they don't have a storm shelter. When you acquire a storm shelter quote, be sure to inquire about this.
Is a tornado shelter worth it?
A tornado shelter is a good investment if you live in a tornado-prone area. If you live in a place where basements aren't available, the only safe spot inside your house is the attic, which isn't even that safe. As long as preparations were made in advance, a storm shelter provides a safe place for individuals to wait out a storm with access to emergency supplies and even light.
How do storm shelters keep me safe?
Authentic storm shelters are composed of materials and technology that have been tested to withstand tornado-force winds to assure that they will not shatter or break. When a tree or a car is rushing toward them, wood or brick walls simply aren't strong enough. Steel, concrete, or Kevlar structures, on the other hand, are far more resistant to wind and debris than a wooden building.
Is a storm shelter safer than a basement?
It's true, of course. Basements are better than any other level of a home, but storm shelters are much better. It's perilous to hide in the basement under the kitchen fridge on the main level, for example, because the floor will fall if you do so. Large basement windows might also cause injuries if they break during a heavy storm. No matter where it is located, a storm shelter is designed to withstand high winds, debris, and even collapsed materials on top of itself.
Storms, tornadoes, and other severe weather events put our lives and infrastructure in jeopardy.
A storm shelter could save your life and the lives of people you care about if your home is shaken to its foundations by howling winds.
Structural integrity is critical for both interior and exterior tornado shelters, so only those that fulfill the FEMA and ICC standards should be considered.
