15 Factors to Consider Before Buying a Safe

If you’re looking to buy a safe, here are 15 specific factors you’ll want to take into consideration before making a purchase to ensure that you get the best safe for the money. Safe and vaults aren’t cheap, so you’ll want to make sure that the one you buy is worth your money.

1. Make Sure It Meets Your Needs First and Foremost

The single most important thing to remember is that you must know what kind of safe or vault will fit your needs best before shopping for one. What are the specific threats you’re protecting yourself from? If it’s fire, you’re going to want a fire safe. For break-ins and robberies, size and security grade will matter most.

2. Size Matters: Long before You Think about Price

The second factor to consider when buying your safe is the size you want or need. The specific dimensions will depend on what type of guns, ammunition, valuables, documents, jewelry, and other belongings you are planning to store in it. You’ll also need to take into account any floor layout restrictions you may have.

You can’t just buy the biggest safe or vault and expect all your problems with unwanted access to be solved. Homes often have limited space, and you want to be sure that the model you choose won’t overwhelm the room it’s intended for. This is especially true of safes and vaults designed for business use – if your office doesn’t have enough floor space, the safe or vault will be nothing more than an expensive paperweight.

3. Practical vs. Pretty: Let Functionality Guide Your Decisions

When choosing the model you want, don’t just set your eyes on what’s most visually appealing to you. You’ll also want to consider how it operates and performs in real-life situations, and this will help you determine if the safe or vault is genuinely worth your money.

4. The Biggest Convenience of All: Accessibility

What’s worse than buying a safe that gets wedged into the corner of your garage, for example, and can’t be moved because it weighs several hundred pounds? That would be buying one that’s so big and bulky it’s challenging to get in and out of the room where it’s housed or one that lacks proper lighting.

Storage for your safe or vault is an essential but not the only factor that matters when buying one. You’ll want to look into size, weight, transportation options, installation location (indoors or outdoors), and ease of use.

5. Know Your Options for Installation, Location, and Transportation

Ideally, you’ll be able to install your safe or vault wherever it best fits into your floor plan. If this is not an option, consider other factors like weight, size, installation costs (not just for the model but also for the installation itself), and access. Transportation costs will be a factor in your decision if you plan to move it once installed or if you want a safe or vault that can be easily disassembled for relocation.

6. Choose Your Security Grade Wisely

Security grades are determined by a combination of specific construction factors, including thickness and composition of the steel, type of locking system, grip strength, door reinforcement, and many others.

If you know what specific threats or potential hazards you’re up against (burglary is a common one), then look into what security grades work best in protecting your belongings. Intrinsic value will also factor into your decision; the more valuable the items you’re looking to store, the higher the security grade you should prioritize.

7. Lock Types and Security Ratings

There are several different lock types to choose from: biometric (fingerprint), keypad (electronic), combination (wheel), and others depending on the model and manufacturer. Before buying your safe or vault, consider how much each one will cost you to operate and maintain. A biometric safe or vault, for example, may require batteries with a limited lifespan that increase your overall operational costs.

8. Steel Gauge: Rethink Your Price Range

Another huge factor to consider is the quality of steel used in the safe you start looking at. A higher steel gauge (AKA thicker metal) will mean your safe can resist more force and hold its shape better, but it also means it will cost more than a safe with less steel thickness. If you’re not sure what steel gauge to look for, consult a professional, safe, and vault technician or contact the manufacturer of your safe.

9. Door Thickness: Look at More than the Thickest Part

The thickness of the walls and door aren’t the only things that matter when it comes to security; don’t overlook the size of the hinges, bolts, and locking bars. These are also indicators of how secure your safe or vault will be but don’t neglect to consider their placement.

10. Price Shouldn’t Be Your Only Consideration

The price isn’t everything when it comes to buying a safe or vault. There are many things to consider, and you’ll want to make sure to research your model extensively before buying. Don’t base your final decision only on the price – it’s just one of many factors that should play a part in your choice.

11. Warranties: Watch Out for Exclusions

The warranty a manufacturer provides with a safe or vault is another critical factor to consider before deciding whether or not to buy it. Look carefully at the warranty provided and watch out for any nasty exclusions. Make sure that your safe can resist fire damage, that all locking bars are bolted into place, and also covered by the warranty in case of theft attempts.

12. Installation May Cost Extra

If you want to buy a safe and have it installed, make sure to inquire about installation costs beforehand. While most safe companies will offer free installation, some may charge for it. Installation fees are often in addition to the cost of delivery and, in some cases, are compulsory. You may want to factor this in when looking at prices and make sure that once your purchase arrives, you’re able to get it installed quickly enough so that the cost doesn’t end up being prohibitive.

13. Think about Your Existing Security

One thing that safe and vault manufacturers don’t always mention is that your existing security can work in tandem with their product to help keep you secure. Is there any other security equipment like a CCTV system nearby? How would an intruder get past these things? Keep this in mind as you shop around and make your decision to buy a safe or not.

14. Never Lose Sight of the Long Term

Before you even start looking at safes or vaults, sit down and make a list of all the gear you currently have that will need to be protected. Don’t forget to take into account any future acquisitions too! This is especially important if you’re looking to buy a fireproof safe. Once you’ve made a list, compare it with your budget for buying a new safe or vault. You don’t want to overspend on features you won’t use!

15. Make Sure You Can Reach the Safe in an Emergency

One last factor that you might want to consider before buying a safe is how difficult it will be to access the safe itself, should you need it. If your safe is on a high shelf in your closet, for example, it could prove difficult to retrieve quickly in an emergency. Make sure that you’re able to get at the safe easily if necessary and preferably without moving furniture or other items that might slow down your rapid exit.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are many things to keep in mind when it comes to buying a safe or vault. While you don’t want to be bogged down with too many details and considerations, these 15 factors will help guide your decision-making process and ensure that you make a choice that satisfies both your current requirements and potential future needs. As always, make sure you do your research and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Safe and Vault in Toronto, Canada

Are you in the market for a safe or vault? We can help you out. At Safe & Vault Shop, we have all kinds of safes and vaults to fit your needs. Whether it’s fireproof, waterproof, or just plain sturdy, we’ve got what you need! Our products are made by trusted brands in Canada, and they’re designed to keep your valuables protected from burglars and natural disasters alike. Check them out today!

When it comes to protecting your belongings, why settle for anything less than the best? The only way to truly protect yourself is with one of our safes or vaults. We can also help you install it! Our team of experts will come to your home and create the perfect solution for protecting all of your valuables. Whether it’s jewelry, documents, money, passports – whatever is important to you – we’ll ensure that everything is kept safe and secure. You don’t need to worry about anything when our professionals are on the job.

Call us today for a free quote on safe installation services from some of the best security experts around! You can also check out our website for more information about what we do and how much it costs. If you want peace of mind knowing that everything valuable in your life is protected by some of the most trusted professionals around, then give us a call right away!