"Sliding panels or hinges sound smart, but I'm wondering how sturdy they'd be if you're on a tight budget like me."
I had similar concerns when I built some hidden storage behind a bookshelf last year. Initially, I went with basic cabinet hinges from the hardware store, and honestly, they held up better than expected. The key was reinforcing the mounting points with longer screws into studs. It's not fancy, but it's been solid enough for regular use—though thankfully, no emergency tests yet...
Good call on reinforcing with longer screws into studs—that makes a huge difference. When I built our pantry door (which is basically a hidden panel), I worried about durability too. Ended up going with sliding hardware from a salvage store, nothing fancy or expensive, but it's held up surprisingly well. Sometimes budget-friendly solutions turn out sturdier than you'd think, especially if you take your time installing them properly. Sounds like you're already on the right track.
Sliding hardware can definitely be a solid choice, especially if installed carefully, but I'd caution against assuming budget-friendly always equals durability. I've seen salvage hardware hold up impressively in some cases, yet fail prematurely in others—particularly under heavy or frequent use. For something critical like a storm shelter door, investing a bit more upfront in hardware specifically rated for heavy-duty applications might offer better peace of mind long-term. Just something to consider...
Totally get where you're coming from on hardware quality. I've learned the hard way myself—went cheap once on sliding hardware for a barn door (thought I was being smart and thrifty). Step one: proudly install cheap hardware. Step two: admire my handiwork. Step three: watch in horror as the door slowly tilted off-track after about a month of regular use, haha. Lesson learned.
For something as critical as a storm shelter, I'd personally bite the bullet and go heavy-duty. It only takes one stormy night fumbling with a stubborn door to realize that peace of mind is worth a few extra bucks upfront. Salvage hardware can be awesome for less crucial stuff—like garden sheds or decorative doors—but when safety's on the line, I wouldn't gamble. Glad your shelter passed inspection though, that's always a relief!
"It only takes one stormy night fumbling with a stubborn door to realize that peace of mind is worth a few extra bucks upfront."
Couldn't agree more about prioritizing safety, especially for something as critical as a storm shelter. But I'm curious—beyond hardware quality, did you or the inspector discuss ventilation at all? I've seen some shelters that were rock-solid structurally but had pretty questionable airflow setups. A neighbor of mine installed a shelter a couple of years ago, and after their first real use during a heavy storm, they realized the ventilation wasn't adequate at all. They said it got stuffy and uncomfortable surprisingly fast.
I know inspections usually cover structural integrity and door functionality thoroughly, but ventilation sometimes seems overlooked. Did your inspector provide any specific recommendations or guidelines on airflow or humidity control inside the shelter? Seems like something worth double-checking before you really need it...
