What Size Tornado Shelter Do I Need?

Every spring, homeowners across the Kansas City area ask themselves the same question:

“If a tornado warning was issued right now, where would my family go?”

Once they’ve decided to invest in a tornado shelter, the next question is usually, “What size tornado shelter do I need?”

Most people assume the answer is simply based on the number of people in the household. In my experience, that’s only part of the equation.

After helping homeowners throughout the Kansas City region select and install tornado shelters, I’ve learned that choosing the right size depends just as much on how you plan to use the shelter as it does on how many people will be inside.

With tornado warning lead times averaging only about 13 to 16 minutes nationwide—and sometimes much less—you don’t have much time to gather your family and get to safety. That’s why choosing the right shelter and the right location is so important.

The Questions I Ask Every Homeowner

Before we ever discuss shelter size, I ask a few simple questions:

• Will this only be a tornado shelter?
• Do you also want it to serve as a panic or safety room?
• Will you store valuables inside?
• Will your pets be coming into the shelter?
• Does anyone in your household have mobility limitations?
• Where are you most likely to be when severe weather strikes?

Those answers usually determine the right shelter better than simply counting the number of people in your family.

Shelter Sizes We Install

At Absolute Building Concepts, we install Swisher Tornado Shelters, which are NSSA-verified and engineered to withstand the wind forces generated by an EF5 tornado.

Homeowners can purchase these shelters directly from the manufacturer, through other retailers, or directly through Absolute Building Concepts. Purchasing through us simplifies the process by allowing you to work with one company from selecting the right shelter through professional installation.

We install:

• 6-person shelters
• 9-person shelters
• 14-person shelters
• 20-person shelters
• Wheelchair-accessible 20-person shelters
• 25-person shelters

Many models can also be customized with optional features such as:

• Shelving
• Benches
• Gun racks

When Should You Choose a Larger Shelter?

In my experience, families usually don’t size up because of the number of people.

They size up because of everything else.

One customer selected a larger shelter because she wanted her pets to have enough room to remain comfortable during tornado warnings. That may seem like a small detail until you’re sharing a shelter with anxious dogs or cats during a severe storm.

I also recommend considering a larger model if you plan to store:

• Emergency supplies
• Water
• Flashlights
• Blankets
• First aid supplies
• Medications
• Important documents
• Valuables

If your shelter serves as both emergency protection and secure storage, the additional space can be well worth it.

Don’t Assume You Need a Basement

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is:

“I don’t have a basement, so I can’t have a tornado shelter.”

That simply isn’t true.

In fact, one of my strongest pieces of advice is this:

There’s no reason to be without a tornado shelter simply because you don’t have a basement.

Many of our shelters are installed in garages, making them quick and convenient to access when every minute matters.

For many older adults or individuals with mobility challenges, reaching a garage shelter is much easier than navigating basement stairs or climbing into a traditional underground shelter.

We’ve even installed shelters inside equine barns.

That may surprise some people, but it makes perfect sense. If you’re caring for horses or working in the barn when severe weather develops, you may not have enough time to safely reach your home. Installing a shelter where you spend your time provides peace of mind when storms move in quickly.

The best shelter isn’t necessarily underground.

It’s the shelter you can reach safely and quickly.

Accessibility Should Be Part of the Decision

Accessibility is one of the most overlooked factors when choosing a tornado shelter.

Many homeowners focus on tornado ratings and shelter size without considering whether everyone in the household can actually reach the shelter in time.

Above-ground shelters are often an excellent solution for:

• Older adults
• Individuals with disabilities
• Families with young children
• Anyone who may struggle with stairs or ladders

Choosing a shelter that’s easy to access can make all the difference during an emergency.

Installation Matters

A tornado shelter is only as reliable as its installation.

Our installation team has been professionally trained by the manufacturer and follows the required installation specifications to help ensure every shelter is properly anchored and ready to perform as designed.

These shelters must be installed on a minimum 5-inch-thick concrete slab with a compressive strength of at least 2,500 PSI.

If your existing concrete doesn’t meet those requirements, that’s not a problem.

We can remove and replace the installation area with new concrete that meets the required specifications before installing your shelter.

Don’t Forget to Stock Your Shelter

After installation, don’t forget to prepare it.

I recommend keeping items such as:

• Bottled water
• Flashlights
• Extra batteries
• Blankets
• First aid supplies
• Prescription medications
• Weather radio
• Phone charger or backup battery
• Copies of important documents

Many homeowners also appreciate using optional shelving to keep these supplies organized and ready to use.

Can I Buy My Tornado Shelter Through Absolute Building Concepts?

Absolutely.

You can purchase your shelter directly through Absolute Building Concepts, allowing us to help you choose the right size, coordinate delivery, verify the installation location, and professionally install the shelter from start to finish.

If you prefer, these shelters are also available directly from the manufacturer and other retailers. Many homeowners simply find it easier to work with one experienced company throughout the entire process.

My Advice

If you’re trying to decide what size tornado shelter you need, don’t focus only on the number of people in your home.

Think about how you’ll actually use it.

Will pets be inside?

Will you store emergency supplies?

Will it double as a secure room for valuables?

Can everyone in your family reach it quickly?

Answering those questions usually leads to the right decision.

The goal isn’t to buy the biggest shelter available.

The goal is to choose the shelter that fits your family’s lifestyle, your property, and your emergency plan.

Let Absolute Building Concepts Help You Choose the Right Shelter

Choosing a tornado shelter is an investment in your family’s safety, and you shouldn’t have to make that decision alone.

At Absolute Building Concepts, we’ll help you select the right Swisher Tornado Shelter for your needs, verify that your installation site meets the required specifications, and professionally install it according to the manufacturer’s requirements.

You can purchase your shelter directly through Absolute Building Concepts, allowing us to guide you through the entire process—from selecting the right model to completing a professional installation. While Swisher Tornado Shelters are also available directly from the manufacturer and other retailers, many homeowners appreciate the convenience of working with one experienced company from start to finish.

Absolute Building Concepts installs above-ground tornado shelters throughout the Kansas City metro and surrounding communities in Missouri and Kansas, including Kansas City, Overland Park, Lenexa, Lawrence, Blue Springs, Buckner, Kearney, Excelsior Springs, Kingsville, Holden, Warrensburg, and Nevada.

Service availability may vary by location, but our installation area generally extends up to approximately 100 miles from Kansas City.

If you’re ready to protect your family—or simply have questions about which shelter is right for your home—we’re here to help.

Absolute Building Concepts

📞 (816) 650-6000

Protect your family with a professionally installed tornado shelter that’s designed for the way you live.