How to Build a Storm Shelter in an Existing Basement

Building a storm shelter in an existing basement is a practical way of offering safety to your family. A basement storm shelter is well suited to areas of the country with high wind storms, such as tornadoes and hurricanes. An existing basement can be transformed into a storm shelter without hiring an expensive contractor.

Things You'll Need

• 200 feet of 2-by-4-inch wood
• 20 feet of 2-by-4-inch steel beams
• 1 box of 3-inch spiral nails
• Steel sheathing cutters
• Circular saw
• 300 square feet of steel sheathing
• 300 square feet of drywall
• 5-gallon bucket of joint compound
• 30-by-80-inch steel door

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Instructions

• 1

  Draw storm shelter plans to fit the number of people who'll be using the shelter. The Federal Emergency Management Agency suggests at least 10 square feet per person. An 8-by-8-foot room would, therefore, be enough space for a family of six. Placing the shelter in the corner of the basement allows for use of the two existing walls, so only two additional walls must be built.

• 2

  Frame two additional walls to form a square room in the corner of an existing basement. Each wall should use double 2-by-4-inch wood for the framing. For added support add a steel diagonal beam in the framework of each wall addition. One of the walls must have a door opening framed. A standard door opening is 30 inches by 80 inches.

• 3

  Add support to the two existing concrete basement walls. Framing the cement walls with double 2-by-4-inch wood framing and a steel diagonal beam offers the most secure storm shelter possible.

• 4

  Install steel sheathing to the entire room on the interior and exterior portions of the walls and ceiling. Use spiral body nails to secure the sheathing every 18 inches.

• 5

  Install drywall over the steel sheathing for a more aesthetically appealing appearance. Applying drywall over the sheathing allows for painting and decorating the walls of the storm shelter room. You can use the same spiral body nails to install the drywall. Use joint compound to fill in the seams and nail holes.

• 6

  Install a steel door in the room's opening. Use regular nails to install a prehung steel door. The door should be installed to open out to the basement area, not into the storm shelter room.