People may want to consider building their above ground tornado shelter if they live in an area prone to hurricanes or tornadoes. Many people can afford to have their new modern home, but they need to consider whether the building materials will withstand the hurricanes or tornadoes high-speed winds.
They can expect 100 mph flying debris to smash through their home, which is more than half of the death and storm injuries flying debris causes. They can have their homes blown off right off the foundations in a C5 or Force 5 storm. However, building above ground tornado shelter or DIY storm shelter can be affordable than many people imagine.
How Much You Need to Build Above Ground Tornado Shelter?
Since there are several types of above ground tornado shelters, some factors will affect their costs. Getting a prefabricated shelter and then installing it is the simplest option for a storm shelter. It even takes a matter of a few hours to drop some of them into people’s yards or homes.
They will find prefabricated tornado shelters relatively on a budget and cheap. However, they may not be the most comfortable or attractive option.
However, people will find these storm shelters the best options if they are on a budget and are not contractors. Even with this, they cannot be less than $3000. And with the installation and shipping, people can expect to pay around $5 to $12 thousands.
Examples of prefabricated above ground tornado shelters are.
Safe Shed
People can only install these storm shelter types outdoors. Their weight is around 24,000 pounds, and people will get them as fabricated when delivered.
They will have the delivery truck deliver the shed and set it down outside their home. Since these shelters need no reinforced concrete slab, people can put them anywhere as they are also heavy. The cost for these shelters starts at $5,000.
Ground Zero Shelters
These storm shelter types come readymade, selling outdoor underground storm shelters.
Those on a budget and have no experience with construction can go for any of these storm shelters. It is recommended that those who have no clue what they are doing are recommended not risk making their above ground tornado shelters. However, those who are up for the task can build their storm shelters and save more money.
The Two DIY Tornado Shelters Types
The two main types of storm shelters are above ground tornado shelters and underground storm shelters. People typically use underground storm shelters to double as bomb shelters or in tornado zones. However, they may not find them suitable for hurricanes because they are prone to flood.
Underground Storm Shelters
People can put the underground storm shelter in their existing basement, and with that, they can find it as the cheapest and easiest way to have it. Those who have an existing basement slab floor and meet FEMA requirements and suitably reinforced, can use it for their underground storm shelters.
People may need to pay for a ground analysis when they plan to dig an underground storm shelter outside their homes. A geotechnical engineer is an expert who does the ground analysis, and it is recommended not to skip that part. Some of what people will get from the analysis include.
- If the winter freezing soil can cause stress on the storm shelter walls.
- And If they can get a solid bedrock that they can dig into and it is important to note that this will be expensive.
- If the owner has high water tables that might floor their storm shelters.
Above Ground Tornado Shelters
For those living in a hurricane zone, they will probably build above ground tornado shelters. It is vital to note that these shelters must be independent of their homes when they are planning these DIY tornado shelters.
There is nothing for these shelters to be people’s homes. However, owners need to bolt them down to the concrete slab. These above ground tornado shelters can remain even if the rest of the house is blown away.
Some of the benefits of storm shelters are.
- They are the best options for new home building.
- People can use existing parts of the house like their slab floor to construct their storm shelters, making it more affordable.
- In the event of any disaster, people can access the storm shelters faster.
Some of their downsides include.
- People can find it messier to construct their storm shelter inside their home.
- They may need to sacrifice some space inside their home for their storm shelters.
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