How To Decide If You Need A Storm Shelter Underground

When you decide to install a storm shelter at your home, you have the confidence to weather any storm. Safety tested storm shelters and even survival rooms provide an extra level of protection that you might not even think you need. But do you really need a storm shelter underground? Typically underground units come with a below-ground staircase entry or maybe even an overhead hatch with a ladder. When you’re ready to invest in a storm shelter so that you’re prepared for whatever comes, then we encourage you to read on and let us point out some of the pros and cons that come with an underground shelter. We also encourage you to compare and contrast the benefits of having an aboveground shelter.

We’d love to help you ensure the safety of you and your family. Since our storm shelters and tornado safe rooms can be completely customized, you can make sure that you and your family aren’t just safe, you can be comfortable too! Whatever your lifestyle, you don’t need to be crippled by fear when it comes to inclement weather. 

Do You Need A Storm Shelter Underground?

If you’re on the fence about any storm shelter underground, let us help ease your mind with a simple pro-con list for both underground or aboveground shelters.

Pros And Cons of Storm Shelter Underground

There are lots of things to consider when considering below ground shelters, especially when living in a high-risk area that has multiple extreme storms every year.

The main thing of course, is that you’d be underground, which means that the chances of a storm getting to you is practically impossible. It also won’t take up any of your current living space, as it usually is installed inside your garage. 

The cons with installing a storm shelter underground is that if it’s not installed inside a garage, it is more susceptible to the elements. Rain could potentially creep in, and there will always be areas where it cannot be installed easily or safely. Oftentimes rain and water will leak in overtime, and when you’re actually ready to use your storm shelter underground, you might find pools of water inside that might have potentially ruined any provisions you’ve stored inside. Another thing to consider is that elderly family members might have a harder time entering an underground shelter, depending on the staircase or ladder that is installed.

Pros and Cons of Aboveground Storm Shelter

There are also great pros to having an aboveground storm shelter from Valley Storm Shelters installed in your house. It’s convenient, and you won’t have to worry about whether it’s accessible. Your handicapped, elderly, children, and even pets will have no problem getting inside when extreme weather hits. Another benefit by having shelter aboveground is that they won’t get filled up with rain, and in a worst case scenario, are easy to find when search and rescue comes to help. Aboveground storm shelters can also be placed inside your garage or home, so you don’t even have to leave your home and brave the storm to get to safety. 

However, when you choose Valley Storm Shelters, you can rest assured knowing that your aboveground shelter can stay outside and not take up any space. Unlike storm shelters that are placed underground, you don’t have to worry about water or dirt getting inside your storm shelter. We’ll install them on a concrete slab out in your yard. Ask our experts about additional ways to protect your shelter from all the elements. 

Some of the cons that come with storm shelters is that not all of them are up to code. You need a FEMA compliant and debris impact tested shelter that is built according to ICC-500 Code. It should be anchored to a solid slab of cement, otherwise there is a possibility of the shelter not holding up under any conditions. It really comes down to what you’re comfortable with. Whatever you decide, you want to make sure that you have easy access to safety, which in turn will lead to peace of mind.

Conclusion

When it comes to safety, Valley Storm Shelters know what you need. Each and every one of our shelter options are built in compliance with FEMA 361 and 320 standards, and of course ICC 500 standards. All of our products are tested at Texas Tech’s National Wind Institute, including a variety of tests that are similar to the force of an EF5 Tornado. Even though we passed every test, we decided that we needed to go above and beyond. 

The experts at Valley Storm Shelters conducted our own independent tests on all of our products in an effort to test the power of extreme storms on our shelters. So far, our shelters have withstood 700-mph winds, deflected bullets from M1 Carbine weapons, and even stayed put when slammed with a 4,500 pound battering ram with over 40,000 pounds of force. At the end of the day, no matter what kind of shelter you choose, you can always count on Valley Storm Shelters. We have literally overbuilt them for your protection and peace of mind. With all the dangers going around in the world, don’t let the weather be something you worry about. 

Contact us today and let us help you find the perfect solution for you or your business. We believe that when you choose us, you’ll really see the Valley difference. Our team of professionals are safe room and storm shelter experts, and we are available to answer your questions, discuss our products, installation services, pricing, and anything else you’d like to learn about us. Contact us today and let us help you feel more at ease.