In-floor safes offer several big security advantages compared to “above ground” units, but they also have limitations for most applications.
The first advantage is that they are out of sight – that is really important. When properly installed they can be hidden by furniture or covered by a rug to become “invisible”. Even if your floor safe is discovered, they are very difficult to open by anyone except a trained professional. In fact, most of the safe technician’s usual opening techniques can’t be used on floor safes. If properly installed in a concrete floor they are almost impossible to remove without big power tools. In addition, a burglar cannot go through the side of a floor safe the way he might be able to on a standard type safe, and pounding on the door with a sledge hammer rarely works.
Some floor safes have removable “safe heads” that can easily be carried to a lock shop for a combo change. This saves the cost of an expensive service call by the locksmith. Businesses that need frequent combo changes appreciate the savings.
Next: The downsides of in-floor safes.