How Do You Build A Safe Room That Doubles As A Closet?
Safe rooms not only provide protection for the homeowner from intruders, they offer shelter from tornadoes and other high-wind storms. If a basement is not available, build the above ground safe room and use it as a walk-in closet. Your guests may never know the difference. Step 1 Pour the concrete for your safe room/closet at the same time you’re building your new home, if possible. If you construct the safe room later, make sure you hire a reputable contractor that can match the exterior to your existing siding. Step 2 Excavate to a depth of at least 5 feet below ground level. To allow for proper integrity of the structure, the concrete walls must be buried deeply in the ground. Step 3 Add steel reinforcement to the concrete forms before pouring the walls. Use double or triple the normal amount of steel to increase wall strength. Step 4 Provide access for the necessary electrical and ventilation systems by positioning conduit in the walls before you pour the concrete. Make sure you p