Installing Wall Safes are Easy

In movies, it seems that only the wealthy have wall safes. But in today’s world, this is not so, anybody can have a wall safe for a variety of reasons. Some of these reasons include: they are extra secure since they are hidden, they are less conspicuous than other safes, they save floor space, they are easy to access, and they are easy to install. This last reason may not seem obvious to many people, but it really is not that difficult. Let’s take a look at the basic steps to install any wall safe in your home or office.

First, you have to decide where you want to install your safe. Almost all wall safes are designed to fit between the wall studs of a home based on standard building specs. Using a stud finder (the electronic kind or the type my husband likes to use: knocking and listening), locate the studs in your wall where you want to install your safe. If you are going to hang a picture or mirror in front of your safe, make sure you put the safe at a comfortable height that also looks good. A picture that looks really out of place could accidentally tip off a would be thief that something may be located behind it. Besides behind a picture or mirror, another good place is hidden in the back of a closet (the walk in kind being best for accessibility). The safe is kept hidden behind the clothes.

Next, mark the rectangle on the wall, based upon the dimensions of your safe that you will need to cut (it will say specifically in your directions what size you need). Make sure you use a level and a square, you do not really want to install your safe crooked. Once you have drawn the necessary shape, score it with an utility knife and then cut out with a drywall or keyhole saw. Please be aware of any electrical wiring!

Many wall safes will fit well between the studs, others may be a bit narrower so some wood shims may be needed to fill in any extra space. Just build up the studs till they are flush with the edges of the hole you have cut in the wall.

Next, place the safe in the wall. This is easiest to do by tilting the safe towards you and placing the bottom of the safe into the wall first. Make sure the safe is open before you install so that it is easier to access the inside of the safe. Most modern safes have a flange all the way around the face of the safe. This covers up the cut in the dry wall so that there is no finishing work, and also adds additional security to your safe, making it makes it harder for a burglar to cut the safe out of the dry wall.

Next, open the door to the safe and attach it to the studs. Screws are normally provided. Next, install any shelves that may come with the safe.  Last, hang the picture or mirror that you will use to hide it. Most wall safes are flush to the wall, but some may protrude a bit. If that is the case, make sure you use a picture frame that is recessed in the back. Remember, if you use help hanging your picture, make sure it is someone you can trust!

Well, that is all it takes to install most wall safes in any home or office. So don’t be intimidated, if you are in the market for a safe and a wall safe will suit your needs best, go ahead and go for it!