There’s a ton of lawyers and doctors who are just building a dream house and a ton of ordinary people who like secret doors.” “People wonder if our clients are all doomsday prepper types or celebrities or pro athletes. “There’s greater uncertainty in the world today,” says Humble. But because he’s seeing so much demand for safe rooms from non-luxury homeowners, he’s created a new line of pre-manufactured secret doors that start at just $1,500. Custom projects can run from $10,000 to more than $190,000, Humble says. Entrances are typically hidden in bookcases, although they can also be built under stairs or even through fireplaces. He builds custom “secret doors” that provide hidden access to these spaces. Steve Humble, president of Creative Home Engineering in Gilbert, Ariz., has been hiding safe rooms, home offices and even children’s playrooms since 2004. These businesses specialize in making sure safe rooms remain hidden-and as difficult to access as possible. “At least they have a place in their home they can feel safe in.” Keeping the Safe Room SafeĪn entire industry has sprung up supporting the safe-room construction business. “They could be targeted for a home invasion,” he says. Lombardo has had several buyers who live in rural areas far from neighbors. The room has steel doors and walls that are reinforced with plywood or steel sheathing. This safe room ranges from 30 to 40 square feet and is designed to protect homeowners during a home invasion. The second option is a room that’s usually located in the master bedroom on the second floor. They feature six-inch-thick doors and 10-inch concrete walls. Located in the basement and ranging from 60 to 96 square feet, these are often used by homeowners to store gun collections or valuables and double as protection during a tornado or hurricane. The first is what he calls a “vault room” or storm shelter. Lombardo offers two types of safe rooms as options in the homes he builds, which average about $1.2 million. Cranbrook even includes safe rooms in its model homes. Sebastian Lombardo, president of Shelby Township, Mich.-based Cranbrook Custom Homes, says he installs safe rooms in about 20 percent of the homes he builds -about 15 to 20 homes in the past two years. … Some safe rooms have special features like nuclear filters to protect homeowners from fallout.Custom-home builders report an increased demand for safe rooms. Safe rooms can be built with flushing toilets, showers, cell phone boosters, radios, generators, televisions and video-monitoring systems so homeowners can watch what’s going on outside. Some safe rooms have special features like nuclear filters to protect homeowners from fallout. They’re usually stocked with food and water - enough for at least a week - as well as books and toys to keep kids occupied. Once the room is built and ready to go, they often offer all the comforts of home. “It really is something you should do from the very beginning.” “If you go halfway through the job and then want to add a safe room, your concrete probably isn’t strong enough and the wood hasn’t been reinforced,” says Peters. The architect needs to design this feature into the new home and make sure floors and walls can support its weight. No matter which you choose, planning is key - even before you sign a contract to build a new home. If you just want protection from a hurricane or tornado, then a closet can be reinforced to provide short-term safety. Those wanting to secure firearms or other valuables may opt for an underground bunker. If you’re looking for security from a home invasion, an upstairs bedroom can be converted into a safe room to protect the entire family. The type of safe room you select depends on your ultimate goal. They can range from a reinforced closet to a converted bedroom or underground bunker upon which the house sits. Safe rooms are simply fortified spaces in, outside or under a home. “Now it’s celebrities and normal people who are buying them.” What Exactly is a Safe Room? “When I first started, it was nothing but survivalists, but it’s changed,” he says. Peters, owner of Ultimate Bunker in Salt Lake City, has seen his clientele evolve through the years. “Every time there’s a world event, I don’t need to do anything - demand just happens,” he says. Demand is strong right now because of his clients’ concerns about global uncertainty. Mike Peters builds underground bunkers and safe rooms in both new and existing homes. Panic rooms, also referred to as “safe rooms,” have gone mainstream, with prices falling and demand rising in a world that many homeowners are increasingly deeming to be unsafe. If you think panic rooms are something that only preppers or celebrities opt for, then think again.
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