Living in Oklahoma means living with the weather. From Oklahoma City to Tulsa, we all know the drill when the sirens go off. You need a plan, and you need a safe place to go.
The question isn’t whether you need a storm shelter. The question is: which one is right for you?
At Oklahoma Shelters, we install every major type of protection. We see the pros and cons of each system daily. Whether you are looking at an Underground Garage Storm Shelter, an Above Ground Safe Room, or an Outdoor Concrete Shelter, the “best” choice depends on your specific needs.
This guide breaks down the options to help you make the right decision for your family.
The Underground Garage Storm Shelter
This is currently the most popular choice for homeowners in OKC and surrounding areas. It is sleek, out of the way, and incredibly effective.
How It Works We cut a hole in your existing garage floor slab. An excavator removes the dirt underneath. We lower a heavy-gauge steel unit into the hole. Finally, we backfill it with concrete to lock it in place. The lid sits flush with your garage floor.
The Advantages
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Space Saving: You lose zero square footage in your yard or your house.
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Weather Protection: You never have to step out into the rain, hail, or wind to seek safety. You just walk into the garage.
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Vehicle Access: You can park your car right over the shelter. If a storm is coming, you back the car out and hop in.
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Cost-Effective: These units generally require less material than a full concrete bunker, making them a budget-friendly option for high-level protection.
The Considerations
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Accessibility: You must be able to climb down stairs or a ladder. This can be difficult for the elderly, people with mobility issues, or large pets.
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Claustrophobia: You are underground in a steel box. For some, this triggers anxiety.
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Water Table: If you live in an area with a very high water table, underground options require careful sealing and maintenance to prevent rust or leaks.
Above Ground Steel Safe Rooms
For years, people believed that “underground is the only safe place.” That is a myth.
Above ground safe rooms are tested to withstand EF5 tornadoes. They are anchored securely to your foundation. They provide the same level of impact protection as underground units, verified by the Texas Tech National Wind Institute.
How It Works These are modular or welded steel boxes installed inside your home (usually a closet, pantry, or garage). We bolt them directly into the concrete slab of your house foundation.
The Advantages
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Accessibility: This is the #1 reason people choose safe rooms. There are no stairs. You simply open the door and walk (or roll) in. It is wheelchair friendly.
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Portability: If you move to a new house, you can unbolt the safe room and take it with you.
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Multi-Purpose: When it’s not storming, it acts as a panic room or a giant gun safe. It is great for storing valuables.
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Comfort: It feels more like a room and less like a “hole.” This helps children and those with claustrophobia stay calm.
The Considerations
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Space: It takes up floor space. You need a designated spot in your garage or a spare room.
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Aesthetics: While they look clean, it is a large steel box. Most people prefer them in the garage for this reason.
Above Ground Concrete Safe Rooms
If you prefer the solidity of concrete over steel but want to stay above ground, this is your option.
How It Works These are heavy-duty concrete structures. They are typically installed outdoors, on a patio, or near the back door. They are extremely heavy and rely on their sheer mass and anchoring to stay put.
The Advantages
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Durability: Concrete does not rust. It lasts virtually forever with minimal maintenance.
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Ballistic Protection: Concrete offers excellent protection against wind-blown debris.
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Capacity: We can build these large enough to house many people, making them good for large families or businesses.
The Considerations
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Weight: They are incredibly heavy. You need a specialized pad or location that can support the load.
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Appearance: They look like a concrete bunker. It is hard to hide them in a landscape.
Outdoor Concrete Storm Shelters (The Traditional Slope-Top)
This is the classic “root cellar” style shelter you see on farms and acreages across Oklahoma.
How It Works This is a pre-cast concrete unit. We dig a large hole in your yard, lower the unit in, and bury it. The only part visible is the door and a mound of earth.
The Advantages
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Capacity: These are often the largest residential options.
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Temperature: Being buried in the earth keeps the interior cool.
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Feeling of Safety: For many Oklahomans, being deep underground feels the safest.
The Considerations
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Exposure: You have to run through the storm to get to it. If there is large hail or flying debris, the run to the shelter is dangerous.
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Yard Space: It requires a large excavation area. You cannot put this in a small suburban backyard easily.
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Stairs: Like the garage shelter, you must navigate steep stairs.
Key Factors in Your Decision
Choosing between these options usually comes down to three factors: Mobility, Space, and Peace of Mind.
1. Analyze Your Family’s Mobility Do you have elderly parents living with you? Do you have large dogs that won’t go down a ladder? Do you have bad knees?
If you answered yes, an Above Ground Safe Room is the clear winner. Safety is useless if you cannot get into the shelter quickly. You do not want to be struggling with stairs when the siren is wailing.
2. Look at Your Available Space Do you have a small backyard? Do you use every inch of your garage for storage?
If space is tight, the Underground Garage Shelter is the winner. It vanishes when not in use. You can drive over it, walk over it, and sweep over it. It requires zero dedicated footprint.
3. Address Your Fears Some people are terrified of being trapped underground. Others are terrified of being above ground during a tornado.
The “best” shelter is the one you will actually use. If you are too claustrophobic to go into the garage floor unit, it won’t save you. If you don’t trust steel walls, buy concrete. Your psychological comfort matters.
Safety Standards Are Non-Negotiable
Regardless of which type you choose, the engineering must be proven.
At Oklahoma Shelters, all our designs meet or exceed FEMA 320 and FEMA 361 guidelines. They are tested to withstand the impact of debris from an EF5 tornado.
Steel Specifications For our steel units, we don’t cut corners. We use heavy-duty steel.
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Walls: Typically 10-gauge steel or thicker.
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Doors: Reinforced to prevent buckling under impact.
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Latches: Multi-point locking systems that secure the door instantly.
Concrete Specifications Our concrete shelters are reinforced with rebar and fiber mesh. They are poured with high-PSI concrete mixes to ensure they don’t crack under pressure or shift in the ground.
The Installation Process
We know you don’t want your home turned into a construction zone for weeks. We have streamlined our process.
Garage Shelter Installation This is surprisingly fast.
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Arrival: We arrive with the unit and our crew.
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Cutting: We cut the concrete slab precisely.
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Excavation: We remove the dirt. We keep the mess contained.
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Placement: The unit is lowered and leveled.
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Finishing: We backfill with concrete and smooth the surface.
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Timeline: Usually completed in one day.
Safe Room Installation This is even faster.
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Placement: We move the unit into position.
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Anchoring: We drill into your slab and install heavy-duty anchors.
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Timeline: Usually completed in a few hours.
Why Choose Oklahoma Shelters?
We are locals. We live here, our families are here, and we face the same storms you do.
Customization We don’t just sell one size. We offer a variety of dimensions to fit your specific garage layout or family size. Whether you need a small unit for two people or a large unit for a family of six, we have the specs.
Warranties We stand behind our work. Our shelters come with warranties against leaking and corrosion. When we install a shelter, we expect it to protect your family for decades.
Registration After installation, we can help you register your shelter with your local emergency responders. This ensures that if a major storm hits, rescue crews know exactly where to look for you.
Get Ready Before the Season Starts
Storm season in Oklahoma is inevitable. Waiting until the forecast turns green is stressful.
Assess your home today. Look at your garage. Look at your patio. Think about your family’s mobility.
Underground Garage Shelter: Best for saving space and staying dry. Above Ground Safe Room: Best for accessibility and portability. Outdoor Concrete: Best for large capacity and traditional peace of mind.
There is no wrong choice as long as it is an engineered, tested system.
Call Oklahoma Shelters Today
Don’t wait for the next siren. Contact us to schedule a free consultation. We will come out, look at your property, and recommend the best protection for your specific situation.
Secure your safety now. Visit our services page or call us to get started.
