Panic rooms are seeing a surge in demand, no longer limited to just the wealthy and famous. Now, safe rooms are becoming popular among the middle class.
Reasons for the uptick in construction vary from safeguarding valuables to creating additional storage space, with security being the main driver.
Modern panic rooms are far from the dark, metal boxes of the past. Construction companies are now designing rooms that may not even look like traditional panic rooms to the untrained eye.
Truth Voices’s Brian Entin explores the advancements made in new panic rooms.
Instead of the typical bank vault appearance, doors now appear as regular wood from the outside but feature a steel core and specialty locks that give them vault-like functionalities. Enhanced security is achieved through locking mechanisms at multiple points, allowing these doors to be integrated into any room without requiring a separate designated space for a panic room.
Builders are also using materials that offer additional protection, like lightweight glass-like materials that can prevent bullets from penetrating into the home.
Celebrities and CEOs have traditionally favored these rooms, but everyday Americans are now showing interest, with costs for fortifying a home ranging from $6,000 to $10,000.
Being able to convert any room into a panic room makes it simpler for homeowners during emergencies, according to Fortified and Ballistic Security owner David Vranicar.
“The traditional idea of a panic room involves rushing to hide in it when faced with a threat. But that’s outdated,” Vranicar told Truth Voices. “By transforming the master bedroom, which is usually a priority for aesthetic upgrades anyway, by changing the door, maybe adding a window, you can now sleep in the safest place. We hope nothing happens, but in case it does, you are already secure without needing to move. You’re already in a safe place.”
This setup allows residents to remain in bed and contact law enforcement without the need to navigate through the house while an intruder is attempting to gain entry.
