The Differences Between a Concrete and a Steel Storm Shelter
Anyone who lives in a storm-prone area must consider how to protect their family in the event of a natural disaster. Tornado shelters provide a secure haven for you and your family, providing protection from severe winds, debris, and tornadoes. However, deciding on the right choice for your house and family can be difficult.
Concrete and steel are the two most common materials used to construct shelters. Understanding the distinctions between a concrete and a steel shelter will assist you in selecting the best option for your needs.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT WHEN DECIDING ON A CONCRETE OR STEEL STORM SHELTER
Your shelter's building material has a bigger influence on the decision than you imagine. Before you buy a storm shelter, ask these questions to yourself to ensure you're obtaining the best safety for your family.
Cheaper materials or simple construction?
Concrete is a less expensive option for a storm shelter. It can hold a lot of weight, but concrete's brittle nature makes it susceptible to cracking and crumbling. It won't guard against airborne debris either if it isn't reinforced properly.
In a concrete shelter or conventional basement, the low-cost components increase the risk of dampness and weak areas. Moisture trapped in concrete cracks will deteriorate the structure's quality over time, and make it susceptible to failure under the intense forces of a tornado and debris.
Investing in steel construction shelters as an alternative to cheaper materials is an option. Water is kept out by the robust metal walls and fasteners. This means that moisture won't be able to compromise the structure's integrity.
Underground or above ground?
The materials you choose for your shelter may be influenced by the shelter location. Imagining a tornado shelter, most people still picture a concrete bunker underground. This is because, in some regions, homes are typically built with concrete cellars as a standard feature, especially in locations where storms were common.
However, in Oklahoma, fewer homes and buildings have basements that double as shelters; and even buildings with concrete or cinderblock walls don’t offer sufficient protection. In the Oklahoma tornado of May 2013, for example, seven students perished when their school collapsed. There was no purpose-built shelter on the premises that could have prevented this tragedy.
In addition to providing reliable safety in extreme weather, above ground storm shelters make rescue and escape easier, and they lessen the risk to occupants in case of flooding or collapse of other parts of the structure. Steel shelters are easier to locate in the event of an emergency, and they can survive severe strikes from high-velocity debris without being compromised.
Inside or outside?
Traditionally, a concrete storm shelter is built outside. Concrete is impractical to house indoors because of the depth – not to mention the weight – required for storm protection.
Steel storm shelters are simple to construct both indoors and outside. All they require is a concrete slab that has been authorized for anchorage. This means you may set up a garage shelter or elsewhere on your ground level – indoors or out – that is accessible to everyone in your family in an emergency.
Get your family a steel storm shelter
It's clear to see how metal tornado shelters will always win out in the debate between concrete and steel storm shelter choices.
They are particularly versatile due to their modular design, which includes the possibility of emergency exits for the best ways to get out after the storm, especially since they can be placed wherever they make the most sense. Finally, structural integrity is superior to a concrete shelter when it comes to flying debris and high winds.
Now is the time to find a storm shelter for your family: Browse our selection of outstanding steel shelters online and schedule a consultation with one of our specialists to determine which tornado shelter is perfect for you and your family.
See us at EF5 Tornado Shelter in Oklahoma for under ground or above ground storm shelters.