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Palm leaves swayed by strong winds

The Downsides of Building Your Own Storm Shelter

It is quite common to feel anxious about your safety, especially if you live in a tornado-prone area. Unfortunately, modern homes are not built to withstand severe weather crises such as storms and tornadoes. Moreover, not many communities and neighborhoods have easily accessible public shelter homes. Hence, you may be tempted to try your best to build a shelter room.

Should you attempt to do this? Here’s why it’s not a good idea.

Types of Storm Shelters

Before getting to work, you might want to know the two types of shelter homes. They are:

  • Above-Ground Storm Shelters

It is recommended that these shelters be independent of your homes. They are usually built in hurricane-prone areas to avoid flooding. However, the cost of materials needed to build an above-ground shelter is hefty.

  • Underground Concrete Shelter  

They are used in tornado zones. These shelters are built in basements, which is also the cheapest way to build your own storm shelter.

Hold Up! It’s Not a D.I.Y Project, And Here’s Why:

Now that you are familiar with the types of shelters, let’s discuss the risks associated with building your own storm shelter.

It’s better to know the risks associated with building your own storm shelter house before actually putting the plan into action. The downside of building your own storm shelter includes:

  • The cost: The renovation cost will be expensive since extensive retrofitting is required to build a shelter house. The material needed for pouring concrete, reinforced concrete blocks, or wood with steel sheathing may not be readily available in a nearby hardware store.
  • The entry doorway: The door alone costs a hefty amount. It must also be sturdy and resilient enough to withstand high winds and airborne debris. To test the safe rooms’ doors, companies either shoot them with 2×4’s at 100 mphor run a test impact to check if they are for installation.
  • The locks:You cannot use regular bolts that are available at home depot. Commercially made storm shelters use sheer-strength steel bolts that can resist high-velocity winds and debris flying at 100mph speed.
  • Ventilation: There is a high chance of ventilation holes getting clogged by debris. Companies that provide storm sheltersensure that there are enough ventilation holes and that they are protected so that they don’t get clogged.

Workers leveling the cement.

Whether you are building a garage shelter or an underground concrete shelter, it is always a good idea to get professional assistance.

Oklahoma Shelters Has Got You Covered!

Oklahoma shelters provide safety from injuries that are caused by these deadly tornadoes. Our storm shelters are engineered and tested for high-impact force and flying debris.

Visit our website to learn more about us.


Storm Shelters

Underground Slope Top Shelter

Concrete Shelter

Underground Garage Shelter

Garage Shelter

Installing Steel Safe Room

Steel Safe Room

Underground Bunker

Underground Bunker

 

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