hey all, getting a new house and we are down sizing just a bit and im prolly going to have to put my safe in the garage, here in NV our summers can see 100 degrees and our winters -20 with a good dehumidifier would it be ok? or is it a bad idea and have to figure out somewhere inside the house.
- Thread starter DeadNoise
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Re: Gun Safe in Garage?
Also interested, my Dad just put a new safe in his garage in southern Utah.
Also interested, my Dad just put a new safe in his garage in southern Utah.
Re: Gun Safe in Garage?
As long as your humidity is not overwhelming (think hot, southern states) and you're getting in/out of the safe on a regular basis (a couple times a week) then you should be fine. Leaving the safe closed for long periods of time is generally more of a concern than temperature changes.
As long as your humidity is not overwhelming (think hot, southern states) and you're getting in/out of the safe on a regular basis (a couple times a week) then you should be fine. Leaving the safe closed for long periods of time is generally more of a concern than temperature changes.
Re: Gun Safe in Garage?
While I can't help you with the humidity issues, I would strongly caution you about putting a safe on a ground floor, especially if you have to leave the house for long periods of time. Reason being, I have heard of someone that did something similar and his safe was stolen as a result. Someone pulled up to his house, wrapped a chain around the safe, pulled the thing out of the floor, loaded it onto a rollback, and drove off with it. Now I can't really back up the story with something solid like a police report because I don't know the guy that well, but I don't see why it's not theoretically possible. Maybe some of the other members can chime in with their opinions? Either way, I would recomend making damn sure that thing is bolted down <span style="font-style: italic">hard</span>. Just a thought.
While I can't help you with the humidity issues, I would strongly caution you about putting a safe on a ground floor, especially if you have to leave the house for long periods of time. Reason being, I have heard of someone that did something similar and his safe was stolen as a result. Someone pulled up to his house, wrapped a chain around the safe, pulled the thing out of the floor, loaded it onto a rollback, and drove off with it. Now I can't really back up the story with something solid like a police report because I don't know the guy that well, but I don't see why it's not theoretically possible. Maybe some of the other members can chime in with their opinions? Either way, I would recomend making damn sure that thing is bolted down <span style="font-style: italic">hard</span>. Just a thought.
Re: Gun Safe in Garage?
There's nothing wrong with putting a safe in a garage. If you are just purchasing the home, you might want to think about pouring a concrete box for the safe to sit on top of before you move in.
The reason for the concrete is to A, bring the safe above the flood level (if there is one) and B, your concrete lag bolts can be a lot longer. You'll want to drill through the box that you poured and into the existing concrete floor.
Also, another possibility to consider is to somehow conceal the area where the safe will go. I just moved into a new house and constructed/reinforced a small room off of the garage. It now has a hidden entrance with a biometric (fingerprint) actuated magnetic locking system. The fingerprint pad is not even in the same room, so if somebody finds it, they'll have no idea what it is supposed to do. The most secure safe, is the one that nobody knows is there.
Also, if you construct a hidden or safe specific room, you can insulate it, reducing the temperature swing.
There's nothing wrong with putting a safe in a garage. If you are just purchasing the home, you might want to think about pouring a concrete box for the safe to sit on top of before you move in.
The reason for the concrete is to A, bring the safe above the flood level (if there is one) and B, your concrete lag bolts can be a lot longer. You'll want to drill through the box that you poured and into the existing concrete floor.
Also, another possibility to consider is to somehow conceal the area where the safe will go. I just moved into a new house and constructed/reinforced a small room off of the garage. It now has a hidden entrance with a biometric (fingerprint) actuated magnetic locking system. The fingerprint pad is not even in the same room, so if somebody finds it, they'll have no idea what it is supposed to do. The most secure safe, is the one that nobody knows is there.
Also, if you construct a hidden or safe specific room, you can insulate it, reducing the temperature swing.
Re: Gun Safe in Garage?
I have mine in the shop/garage. Its quite handy for me, thats also where I keep my other shooting and loading equipment.
In fact I have a window cut in the wall that overlooks my range. Its quite handy for testing loads and shoothing in bad weather.
I don't have to hual my rifle/pistols from the house to the shop/garage.
Pretty dry hear, humidity isn't a huge problem. De-humitifiers are fairly cheap. Cheaper then a bluing job.
The way my safe is set up, you're gonna have to take the garage apart to even think about moving the safe.
I have mine in the shop/garage. Its quite handy for me, thats also where I keep my other shooting and loading equipment.
In fact I have a window cut in the wall that overlooks my range. Its quite handy for testing loads and shoothing in bad weather.
I don't have to hual my rifle/pistols from the house to the shop/garage.
Pretty dry hear, humidity isn't a huge problem. De-humitifiers are fairly cheap. Cheaper then a bluing job.
The way my safe is set up, you're gonna have to take the garage apart to even think about moving the safe.
Re: Gun Safe in Garage?
Temperature swings aren't very good for wood stocks and can also lead to condensation. Humidity can be a good thing for wood stocks too - too dry and they can crack.
If you can manage to keep humidity reasonable and prevent significant temperature swings, then you'll be fine.
Temperature swings aren't very good for wood stocks and can also lead to condensation. Humidity can be a good thing for wood stocks too - too dry and they can crack.
If you can manage to keep humidity reasonable and prevent significant temperature swings, then you'll be fine.
Re: Gun Safe in Garage?
I have lived in the Mojave Desert for over 25 yrs and my safe is in the garage.
NO ISSUES, EVER........
Get a 'Golden Rod' to control the humidity.
http://www.goldenroddehumidifiers.com/
LG
I have lived in the Mojave Desert for over 25 yrs and my safe is in the garage.
NO ISSUES, EVER........
Get a 'Golden Rod' to control the humidity.
http://www.goldenroddehumidifiers.com/
LG
Re: Gun Safe in Garage?
I have a friend that has his in the garage. It has been there since he bought the safe. He has a golden rod and he also keeps his rifles and shotguns in the silicon socks. He told me that he takes anything that doesn't get shot frequently out of the safe and the socks and oils them quarterly. He has never had an issue that I am aware of.
His safe is in a corner near a wall where you could not use a prybar on it. He also has a sheet of plywood against it so that any body passing by on the sidewalk or street will not directly see the safe.
I like Bowman's idea of building the slab up a couple of inches so that longer lag bolts can be used. This would also give a little more protection from water if there were to be a burst pipe or leaking washing machine or hot water heater.
If you are going to have a dry sink area, eliminate it and use that area for the safe, and build a hidden door/wall. I had a relative make storage in his garage for paints and house hold cleaners this way. He only hinged the doors, but you could be very creative with this area.
I have a friend that has his in the garage. It has been there since he bought the safe. He has a golden rod and he also keeps his rifles and shotguns in the silicon socks. He told me that he takes anything that doesn't get shot frequently out of the safe and the socks and oils them quarterly. He has never had an issue that I am aware of.
His safe is in a corner near a wall where you could not use a prybar on it. He also has a sheet of plywood against it so that any body passing by on the sidewalk or street will not directly see the safe.
I like Bowman's idea of building the slab up a couple of inches so that longer lag bolts can be used. This would also give a little more protection from water if there were to be a burst pipe or leaking washing machine or hot water heater.
If you are going to have a dry sink area, eliminate it and use that area for the safe, and build a hidden door/wall. I had a relative make storage in his garage for paints and house hold cleaners this way. He only hinged the doors, but you could be very creative with this area.
Re: Gun Safe in Garage?
I've never been a big fan of safes. I prefer a strong room/closet.
Building a closet with a fireproof steel door/frame, lined with alternating layers of standard drywall and paperless (fiberglass sheathed) drywall will provide fire and theft protection, while getting the guns indoors where they will not be subjected to condensation from temp swings. Don't forget the floor and ceiling. It can be sectiooned off from an existing walk-in closet, and gain some concealment. Many safes actually use layered drywall under the steel shell for their fireproofing.
When you move, you leave it in place, transport the guns, and build another one. Safes are mostly a pain in the butt come moving time, and having an existing strong room can be a selling point for a home.
Greg
I've never been a big fan of safes. I prefer a strong room/closet.
Building a closet with a fireproof steel door/frame, lined with alternating layers of standard drywall and paperless (fiberglass sheathed) drywall will provide fire and theft protection, while getting the guns indoors where they will not be subjected to condensation from temp swings. Don't forget the floor and ceiling. It can be sectiooned off from an existing walk-in closet, and gain some concealment. Many safes actually use layered drywall under the steel shell for their fireproofing.
When you move, you leave it in place, transport the guns, and build another one. Safes are mostly a pain in the butt come moving time, and having an existing strong room can be a selling point for a home.
Greg
Re: Gun Safe in Garage?
I've had my safe in the garage for at least 15 years. It still sits on the short pieces of 4X4 that were attached to the safe on delivery. I don't want direct contact with the concrete which I believe is important especially since my house is on a slab foundation. Temperatures can reach 100+ here in the summer for extended periods but the winters are not as cold as yours. If you keep your guns wiped down before you put them away you shouldn't have any problem. I actually have a bigger problem with surface rust on the pistol I keep in the bedroom. Probably because I am not as diligent about wiping it down.
I've had my safe in the garage for at least 15 years. It still sits on the short pieces of 4X4 that were attached to the safe on delivery. I don't want direct contact with the concrete which I believe is important especially since my house is on a slab foundation. Temperatures can reach 100+ here in the summer for extended periods but the winters are not as cold as yours. If you keep your guns wiped down before you put them away you shouldn't have any problem. I actually have a bigger problem with surface rust on the pistol I keep in the bedroom. Probably because I am not as diligent about wiping it down.
Re: Gun Safe in Garage?
these bags are really good at keeping your firearms rust free
Silicon Treated Firearm Bags
these bags are really good at keeping your firearms rust free
Silicon Treated Firearm Bags
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