Planning a vault room is about more than choosing a strong door—it’s about timing, design, and making the right decisions before construction begins. In this discussion, we break down what homeowners and builders need to know about vault doors, from proper planning and sizing to security levels, pricing, shipping, and installation. Whether you’re building new or upgrading an existing space, this guide helps you avoid common mistakes and choose a vault door that fits your structure, budget, and long-term security goals.
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Episode 40 Topics
00:00–01:35 | 2026 Focus: Vault Doors and High-Security Growth
01:36–03:22 | Why Vault Doors Require Early Planning
03:23–05:15 | Matching the Door to the Vault Room
05:16–07:10 | Comparing Fort Knox, Liberty, and American Security
07:11–09:57 | Lead Times, Stock Doors, and Size Mistakes
09:58–12:30 | What Happens After You Buy a Vault Door
12:31–15:23 | Installation Planning and Common Problems
15:24–17:59 | Clearing Up Vault Room Myths
18:00–21:07 | Custom Doors, Sizes, and Design Choices
21:08–28:12 | Pricing, Shipping, and Nationwide Support
Episode 40 Discussion Synopsis
00:00–01:35 | 2026 Focus: Vault Doors and High-Security Growth
Every year, we look at where customers are underserved. Last year focused on high-security and TL-rated safes, which helped our business grow. While high-security safes are still important, this year’s big focus is vault doors, especially for residential and commercial projects across the country.
01:36–03:22 | Why Vault Doors Require Early Planning
Many people assume vault doors are easy to buy and available right away, but most are custom built. The biggest problem we see is poor planning. Vault doors are often treated as an afterthought during construction. When this happens, openings are wrong, access is difficult, and projects get delayed. The key advice is to plan early, choose the door early, and design the correct rough opening from the start.
Common Problems with Installing a Vault Door
03:23–05:15 | Matching the Door to the Vault Room
Vault rooms are built in different ways. Some are full concrete, while others are framed with wood and layered materials. Thick concrete rooms should have heavier, higher-security doors, while lighter rooms can use simpler options. For concrete vault rooms, the top recommendation is a Fort Knox vault door with AR500 steel, which offers excellent cutting resistance for the money.
05:16–07:10 | Comparing Fort Knox, Liberty, and American Security
Each vault door brand serves a different need.
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Fort Knox offers the highest security and the fastest build times.
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Liberty is known for strong design, panic room options, and reliable ship dates.
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American Security provides solid doors at lower price points and offers newer profile doors that are easier to install.
Choosing the right door depends on structure, budget, and timeline.
07:11–09:57 | Lead Times, Stock Doors, and Size Mistakes
If a door is needed quickly, Fort Knox is usually the fastest option. We also keep several vault doors in stock and can even sell showroom models in urgent situations. One of the most common mistakes customers make is choosing a door that’s too small. Narrow doors are uncomfortable to walk through, especially when carrying items. The advice is simple: go taller and wider if possible.
09:58–12:30 | What Happens After You Buy a Vault Door
After purchase, we work directly with you to help plan delivery, equipment needs, and installation. Doors can be shipped directly to the job site or to a local installer. Many doors ship either standing up or laying down, depending on the manufacturer. Equipment like forklifts, pallet jacks, or skid steers may be required. Our highly skilled team helps coordinate every aspect.
12:31–15:23 | Installation Planning and Common Problems
For local customers in the Pacific Northwest, we typically handle installation. Before arriving, we require photos and measurements of the rough opening. Concrete openings are often slightly off, which can cause fit issues. Proper measurements and planning prevent delays, rework, and frustration on install day.
Vault Door Buying Checklist
15:24–17:59 | Clearing Up Vault Room Myths
Online comments often misunderstand how vault rooms are built. Wood framing seen around doors or ceilings is usually there for finishing—not security. The real structure is concrete underneath. While every room has a weak point, a vault door dramatically improves security by slowing intruders down. Some customers also place safes inside vault rooms to hide valuables from view.
18:00–21:07 | Custom Doors, Sizes, and Design Choices
Rhino Ironworks can build fully custom vault doors, while American Security offers many standard sizes and swing options. For 8-inch concrete walls, wider doors are strongly recommended.
Design also matters. Vault doors can be customized with finishes, logos, and decorative hinges. Even if the door is hidden, many customers choose to upgrade the look because it’s something they’ll see for the rest of their life.
Best Vault Door for a Home
21:08–28:12 | Pricing, Shipping, and Nationwide Support
Vault doors typically range from $4,000 to $10,000+, depending on size and security. Installation usually runs $1,000–$2,000 for a standard job. Shipping often costs $500–$1,000.
The team avoids cheap LTL shipping because it often leads to damage. Instead, they use partial or dedicated freight for safer delivery. No matter where you live, they can help with door selection, room design, shipping, and installation coordination—making the entire process smoother from start to finish.