I'm planning on getting a gun safe soon. Was going to put it in a bedroom closet and was kinda concerned about the weight of it. One I was looking at was around 375 lb and another was 500lb.(only getting one) I went in the basement and figured out where the safe would be. After looking at the area I think it will be ok but thought would ask for some other opinions....home was built in the late 60s and has 2x8 joist. It has a wooden beam(triple 2x8) that runs entire length of house. The safe would be sitting on the floor above about a foot in front of that beam. Also previous owner put 2x4s under the beam spaced apart so they could nail paneling to it, So guess you could say it has some support under the beam even though its not framed like you would a wall. Then about 3' from the beam is a wall they actually framed. Safe would be sitting above the furnace. With that in the way I can't reinforce the joist at all, not sure would really need it since the beam is there. Also in the same bedroom, I'm a music fanatic so I have 3 big ikea shelves filled with vinyl records. 2 of them are stacked and are against the wall(same direction as joist run) which is right by the closet where safe would go. Other shelf is when you walk in the room but is also near the closet. Is already a good bit of weight in the room with the 3 record shelves.....attached a photo of the area below where the safe would be. You can see the 2x4s in the back, that is where the triple 2x8 beam is. concrete block wall is just to the right. On the left of photo where the 2x4 is that is white from the light, to the left is where the framed wall is that is about 16' or so long....so far don't see any issues from the record shelves and they been there for several years.....what is everyone's opinion with adding a safe? sorry for the long post!
Gun Safe in Closet..
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First welcome to the forum (from Missouri). On safe, have you considered putting it in the basement? If not best option for you then even though furnace and maybe a couple other things are in the way you could still add some bracing around furnace or other obstacles. I would not personally rely on added 2x4's regardless of why they were installed. Good luck with your new safe.
It’s probably fine. People put grand piano’s and waterbeds in houses and they weigh a lot more.
I’ve been told that the best place for a safe is in the basement, because it will end up there anyway if you have a fire!
I’ve been told that the best place for a safe is in the basement, because it will end up there anyway if you have a fire!
Ivan the Butcher
Member
I used to frame houses in the late 60's and 2x8 for floor joist would be unusually cheap for that time frame! And that makes me suspicious of the other framing!!!
For 30 years my 800 pound empty gun safe was in my bedroom closet, but was right on top of an 8x8 oak beam with a 8x8 oak column on each side.
Add the weight of the safe (500) and the weight of the guns (12x8) plus the weight of accessories (50). That puts you at just under 650. a 30"x30" is 6.25 Sq. Ft puts you at just over 10 pounds per foot of static load (you should be good for 35 pounds a foot of static load) but remember, there are wall and furniture around the safe and they add more weight! I would try to get some Jackposts under the area without blocking access to the furnace.
As to the water bed idea, I've seen them sag 2x10 floors! It isn't just the static weight of the bed, the people having a party that add momentum (my mentor called it thrust! but is the wrong term but correct idea)
Ivan
For 30 years my 800 pound empty gun safe was in my bedroom closet, but was right on top of an 8x8 oak beam with a 8x8 oak column on each side.
Add the weight of the safe (500) and the weight of the guns (12x8) plus the weight of accessories (50). That puts you at just under 650. a 30"x30" is 6.25 Sq. Ft puts you at just over 10 pounds per foot of static load (you should be good for 35 pounds a foot of static load) but remember, there are wall and furniture around the safe and they add more weight! I would try to get some Jackposts under the area without blocking access to the furnace.
As to the water bed idea, I've seen them sag 2x10 floors! It isn't just the static weight of the bed, the people having a party that add momentum (my mentor called it thrust! but is the wrong term but correct idea)
Ivan
Based on your description of the existing build, your triple 2x8's is the point all weight is eventually centered on and if that has 2x4 support down to solid basement floor, you are good to go.
Like s&wchad said bath tubs full of water, fridges full of food, beds with two people..all on an average of several hundred pounds.
Basement is your best bet.
Like s&wchad said bath tubs full of water, fridges full of food, beds with two people..all on an average of several hundred pounds.
Basement is your best bet.
J. R. WEEMS
Member
SAFE LOCATIONS
I concur with the basement, but would add. Depending,on chances of water in the basement, and there is ALWAYS that chance, however remote. I would place some plywood, or even a platform, 2x4's on edge topped by 3/4" plywood to just get it off the floor. Also a dehumidifier rod, regardless. JMHO
I concur with the basement, but would add. Depending,on chances of water in the basement, and there is ALWAYS that chance, however remote. I would place some plywood, or even a platform, 2x4's on edge topped by 3/4" plywood to just get it off the floor. Also a dehumidifier rod, regardless. JMHO
Farmer17
Member
It should be OK but if you see any sag you right want to add a 4x4 extra support if possible.
OLDSTER
Member
Mine's in the basement in the closet under the stairs. It'll go with the house when we sell. It would cost much more to get the thing out of there than I paid in the first place.
Thanks everyone for the replies. After some thought think I'm just going to put it in the basement. I have a 4'x8' room that has shelves in it that has been used for storage. Plan is to remove the shelves and the paneling that is currently on the walls. Drywall, paint etc. Once I get a safe will sit it in the very back and probably add some new shelves to first half of room.....
Other than a dehumidifier on the inside of safe. Any other tips since it will be in the basement? I do have a dehumidifier in the open area of basement that runs all the time. One side of basement is split into 3 rooms and other side is open with a bunch of storage shelves. This project will probably be for a rainy day and still not sure of what safe I want...
Other than a dehumidifier on the inside of safe. Any other tips since it will be in the basement? I do have a dehumidifier in the open area of basement that runs all the time. One side of basement is split into 3 rooms and other side is open with a bunch of storage shelves. This project will probably be for a rainy day and still not sure of what safe I want...
Rastoff
US Veteran
It's more dangerous moving the save into the spot than when it's just sitting there. Remember, that weight is spread out over the entire surface covered by the footprint of the safe.
For example, my safe is 42"x24" (7sqft). If the safe weighs 800lbs, that means there is 114lbs/sqft. So, ask yourself, are you willing to stand on one foot in the space where you want your safe? If you are, then the floor will definitely support the safe.
When moving the safe, people typically have some kind of hand truck. This means all that weight will be concentrated in the small area where the wheels touch the floor. This is when you'll see something that heavy punch through the floor.
It's better to move a safe across the floor by sliding it on plexiglass or soemething like that.
Long term affects are different.
For example, my safe is 42"x24" (7sqft). If the safe weighs 800lbs, that means there is 114lbs/sqft. So, ask yourself, are you willing to stand on one foot in the space where you want your safe? If you are, then the floor will definitely support the safe.
When moving the safe, people typically have some kind of hand truck. This means all that weight will be concentrated in the small area where the wheels touch the floor. This is when you'll see something that heavy punch through the floor.
It's better to move a safe across the floor by sliding it on plexiglass or soemething like that.
Long term affects are different.
I concur with the basement, but would add. Depending,on chances of water in the basement, and there is ALWAYS that chance, however remote. I would place some plywood, or even a platform, 2x4's on edge topped by 3/4" plywood to just get it off the floor. Also a dehumidifier rod, regardless. JMHO
I have 5 safes and all of them are in the basement. They came delivered on 4 x 4s that keep them off the floor and in addition to the little dryers in the safe I have a dehumidifier in the basement running all the time. Delivery of the safes was made a lot easier by their being brought in down the cast concrete steps leading into the basement.
And another thing going for using the basement is that whatever is being used to keep the safe off the floor will most likely concentrate the weight and raise the pounds per square foot tremendously.
