Safes 101 For the Home and Business

From the small lockbox you use to store personal documents to large bank vaults, most safes are built using somewhat similar materials. Generally, safes are made from metal and feature a door that is secured by a lock. Safes are made to be heat- and break-in-resistant. Depending on the type, cost and intended application, the specifics – such as the thickness of the metal and amount of insulation used – can vary greatly.

How Safes Are Made

No matter the size or type, all safes have two primary elements: the box and the lock.

The Box

The box of most safes is comprised of three layers or protective metal. There is usually an outer mild steel skin, a hard plate barrier that is used to protect the lock and a mild steel layer to white the lock is attached.

The mild steel skin is used to enhance the strength of the safe. This skin protects the harder steel from shock, which can cause thicker and stronger steel to break when repeated. Mild steel may dent and deform, but it will not crack like its harder counterpart.

The Lock

Safes are key in keeping your personal or business values protected

The lock is the mechanism used to open the safe. Both mechanical and electronic locks are available, and they are both intended to provide a high level of protection against manipulation.

Specialty Safes

Certain types of safes are constructed using certain additional materials. Fire safes, for example, are designed with withstand high temperatures and as such, they are constructed using insulation to keep the materials inside safe. Mercantile safes are designed to be both fire- and burglar-resistant, so they are built using insulation as well as high-grade steel that is at least 1” in thickness.

Gun safes are also designed to resist both heat and tampering.

When shopping for a safe, it is crucial to choose one that is designed to suit your specific needs. Safes that are designed primarily to protect valuables from fire may not provide burglar protection that is sufficient for your needs. Instead, you may need to opt for another type of safe that has been contrasted to withstand heat and tampering. Likewise, some safes that are designed primarily with anti-burglary components in mind may not be the best place to store heat-sensitive materials, such as important documents or cash.

At Colorado Security Products, we offer a number of safes. All are constructed from the highest-grade materials, and we would be happy to help you choose the one that is appropriate for your home or business. To learn more, please give us a call at 303-756-1000 to discuss safes in the Denver metro area.