> "Olin"
comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:Pf-dnbiKMOlzZzHanZ2dnUVZ_oWdnZ2d@comcast.com...>>>
>>> "Olin"
comcast.net> wrote in message
>>> news:vsGdncnFjv7FGzfanZ2dnUVZ_qSonZ2d@comcast.com...>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> It's costly, but the safest thing to do in or under your home is to
>>>> build a storm room. They're often made of steel, and they can withstand
>>>> just about anything if they're properly installed.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Speaking of storm rooms, does anybody happen to know of a good (as
>>> in low price) place to buy rebar in 8 to 10 foot lengths?
>>>
>>>
>>> The metal roof over the garage has a lot of dents in it, and the
>>> convertible
>>> (which was parked outside, due to the VW on jackstands, boat and
>>> motorcycle projects that were in the garage) now has a couple of tears
>>> in the top. Considering the fancy garages that have been shown on some
>>> of the cable channels, with entertainment centers and kitchens, I'm
>>> starting
>>> to wonder how much it would cost to build a bunker.. er, garage that
>>> would be comfortable enough to sleep in on stormy nights, and provide
>>> additional space to get the projects out of the garage that's attached
>>> to
>>> the house.
>>
>> Don't know right off hand where rebar can be purchased, but I'd think any
>> construction supply house could give you a clue. Oddly enough, Home Depot
>> and Lowe's both carry some of the smaller rebar, but I doubt that would
>> suit your purposes.
>>
>> As for building one that would withstand a major storm, that might get a
>> little pricey, because you're gonna need to sink some pretty hefty posts
>> quite a ways into the ground to hold the framing.
>>
>> If you're considering it, I would suggest you go to Wikipedia, type in
>> Fujita scale, and read the whole article to see what the kinds of storms
>> are capable of.
>
> I've seen longer lengths (I think they were 8 foot) at Lowes, but Lowes
> and Home Depot aren't always the lowest price sources for stuff that's
> beyond the usual weekend project level. I'm hoping to find a bargain,
> but scrap metal prices have gone up, so I won't be surprised if I can't
> find that bargain.
>
> Pour a footing with rebar. Attach longer lengths of rebar to the rebar
> sticking up out of the cured footing, then bend them over to meet in the
> center (think quonset hut with rounded ends). Attach layers of wire
> mesh to the rebar, then cover the structure with plastic. Apply
> something similar to shotcrete to the interior, then remove the plastic
> when that cures. Apply shotcrete to the exterior (probably need
> about 2 inches, inside and out). Cover with foam insulation and a
> moisture barrier. Cover entire structure (except for doors and windows)
> with at least 2 feet of dirt (I think 4 feet would be better). Install
> metal storm shutters on windows. Install stout steel doors.
>
> Yup, it'd probably be a little on the expensive side, but considering how
> much lumber has gone up in price...
>
IF you've got the time and the ability, doing the work yourself would make
it considerably cheaper and what you've described could possibly survive
even a direct hit (depending on direction) from a really big storm. It might
get entertaining in there if the storm hit what would have to be a
relatively large front, for ingress and egress of those project materials of
which you spoke, but sides or back and it should survive just fine and
dandy.
If you build it, I can guarantee you that you WILL get to know your
neighbors very well once word gets around. On the farm where I grew up, we
had the only root/storm cellar still usable, and every time it came up a
cloud, we could count on company. I've seen as many as fifteen people down
in that hole in the ground and it was not much bigger than a small bathroom.
