Panic rooms, or “safe rooms,” are no longer just for the rich and famous. Prices are coming down, demand is rising, and more homeowners are adding them to new builds.
Why it matters: In an age of global uncertainty, safe rooms offer peace of mind and physical protection – whether from intruders, natural disasters, or other threats.
What is a Safe Room?
A fortified space inside, outside, or under a home. The type of safe room you choose depends on your goals.
Options include:
Security from intruders: Reinforce an upstairs bedroom.
Protection from storms: Convert a closet or basement space.
Safeguarding valuables: Build an underground vault.
Design matters. Safe rooms should be planned early in the home design so floors, walls, and framing can support the extra weight.
Comfort Features
Modern safe rooms can be stocked with food, water, and entertainment including books, toys, and games, plus amenities like:
Toilets and showers
Cell phone boosters, radios, generators
TVs, video monitoring, even nuclear air filters
Costs and Types of Panic Rooms
Closet conversion/extra room: $3,000-$35,000, steel doors, professional design
Vault rooms: $3,000-$100,000+, fireproof, steel doors, reinforced walls, security features
Hiding the Room
Specialists disguise entrances with bookcases, stairs, or fireplaces. Prices range from $1,500 for pre-made secret doors to $200,000+ for custom builds.
Who’s Buying?
Not just survivalists. Lawyers, doctors, and families in rural areas are common clients. Some just want hidden storage for safes, guns, or valuables.
Impact on Home Value
Safe rooms are not yet a top buyer request, but real estate experts expect demand to grow as they become more mainstream. Homes with well-designed safe rooms could gain a competitive edge.
Bottom line: A safe room is a long-term investment in security and peace of mind. Planning one during new construction maximizes its strength, function, and potential resale appeal.
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Robyn Friedman
Robyn A. Friedman is an award-winning freelance writer and copywriter who has been covering the real estate and housing industries for over two decades. She writes the "Jumbo Jungle" column for The Wall Street Journal, is a real-estate and personal-finance columnist for City & Shore magazine, covers celebrity real estate for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and also contributes regularly to Commercial Property Executive, Multi-Housing News and numerous other publications.