Tornado season doesn't wait. In-stock shelters available now — call (423) 746-8900 to check current availability.
All-steel, FEMA-certified above-ground storm shelters — built to protect your family when it matters most. Available at all three Athens Barn Center locations in Athens, Madisonville, and Decatur.
Our above-ground storm shelters are all-steel, FEMA-20 certified safe rooms designed to be installed inside your garage, home, or on a concrete slab. When the sirens go off, you'll be ready.
These aren't storage sheds with a heavy door. Every unit is purpose-engineered to FEMA guidelines and tested to withstand the forces of a violent tornado.
East Tennessee's terrain and soil conditions make above-ground steel safe rooms the practical, reliable choice for most homeowners and businesses.
Every shelter we carry is built with the features that matter when conditions outside turn dangerous. Full specs by model coming soon.
Heavy-gauge steel walls, floor, and ceiling welded into a single unified structure. No wood framing, no weak points — just steel engineered to take a direct impact.
The door is where most shelters fail. Ours feature heavy-gauge steel doors with multi-point locking systems and reinforced frames that stay sealed under extreme pressure differentials.
Meets FEMA's published guidelines for above-ground residential safe rooms — tested and rated to protect against EF5 tornado winds exceeding 250 mph.
Anchored directly to your concrete slab with heavy-duty hardware — keeping the shelter in place even as the storm tries to move everything around it.
Built-in filtered vent system provides fresh air flow while keeping debris and driven rain out. You can breathe easily while the storm passes.
Bench seating available for comfort during extended shelter-in-place situations. Models available in capacities from small family to larger group sizes.
Pre-cut electrical conduit access point lets you wire in a light, phone charger, or emergency radio without compromising the shelter's structural integrity.
Powder-coated interior and exterior finish resists rust, moisture, and the kind of temperature swings we see in East Tennessee from January through August.
We deliver and anchor your shelter. In most cases installation is completed in a single visit — you walk away with a ready-to-use safe room the same day.
We get a lot of questions about storm shelters. Here are the ones we hear most — full FAQ coming when the page is complete.
Most customers install in their garage on an existing concrete slab. It can also go in a basement, utility room, or on a purpose-poured exterior pad. We'll assess your site and recommend the best placement.
Most above-ground steel shelter installs are completed in a few hours. We anchor the unit to your slab on the same visit — you're protected the same day.
Permit requirements vary by county. We recommend checking with your local building office. FEMA-certified safe rooms often qualify for permit fee waivers in Tennessee — ask us for details.
FEMA-20 is the federal performance standard for above-ground residential safe rooms. It sets minimum requirements for wind resistance, debris impact, and structural integrity — your shelter must pass independent testing to carry the certification.
Tennessee and some local governments periodically offer FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds for certified storm shelters. Eligibility varies. Ask us — we can point you in the right direction.
We carry models sized for individuals, families, and small groups. Capacity ranges from 4-person units up to larger models suitable for small businesses or multi-family use. Call us to discuss your needs.
Storm shelter inventory moves fast when severe weather season approaches. Call us now to check availability, ask about sizing, and schedule your installation.
Speak with someone who knows our shelter inventory, can answer your site questions, and can get you scheduled fast.
(423) 746-8900Not ready to call? Drop us a message through our contact form and we'll follow up with availability and pricing.
Contact UsCome see a shelter in person at our Athens location. We have units on display so you can check the size and quality before you buy.
Get DirectionsStorm shelter questions? Call (423) 746-8900 — Mon–Fri 10–5 | Sat 10–1 | Athens, Madisonville & Decatur
