What’s the Difference Between a Safe and a Vault?

Dexter’s Best Vaults?

Have you ever wondered what the difference was between a safe and vault? Did the fact that there was a difference between the two ever occur to you? It’s a common misconception that the two terms are interchangeable, but in fact, there are some distinct differences between safes and vaults. Here at Dexter’s Best Liberty Safe in Norwich, we’d like to take a moment to set the record straight and lay out the clear differences between safes and vaults, and what it means for your home or business security.

What is a Vault?

Here is where the terminology can get a little confusing, and why “safe” and “vault” are often used interchangeably. Technically, a vault is a type of safe, but a safe isn’t necessarily a vault. The two are not mutually exclusive. It’s the same for things like Coca Cola — all Coca Colas are sodas, but not all sodas are Coca-Cola. See what we’re getting at? The big thing that the two have in common is this — they are both used exclusively for keeping valuables, currency, firearms, and other important documents safe and secure.

What’s the Difference Between Them Then?

If both units are used for the same purpose, then how are they different? The answer lies in their construction and their implementation in your home or business. A vault is most commonly built into the construction of a building, whereas safes can be completely freestanding and moveable. Of course, safes can be built into walls, making this more of a guideline than a hard-and-fast rule. The most telling characteristic of a vault, however, is that it is treated like a room that can be completely reinforced by a steel door and other deterring security measures.

In essence, a vault is just a safe on steroids. Although functionally the two behave the same, a vault is usually considered to be rather permanent and intrinsic to its location. A safe, on the other hand, can be small enough to be picked up and moved, or transported easily from one location to another with the help of a safe-moving service. Safes are usually what are found inside homes or smaller businesses. To find a vault, you’d most likely have to visit a bank or other establishment where a large amount of valuables are being secured.

Dexter’s Best Liberty Safes — Security You Can Trust

We hope that this short terminology lesson has helped you to further understand the difference between safes and vaults! While we may not so much be in the vault business, you can trust Dexter’s Best Liberty Safe to provide you with several options that are so secure, you might as well have a vault! We carry several varieties of Liberty Safe, including:

• Liberty Colonial Series

• Liberty Fatboy, Jr. Series

• Liberty Lincoln Series

• Liberty Safe Centurion 12

• Liberty Safe Centurion 24

• National Security Classic

• And more!

If you’d like to come in and view all of the possibilities for home and business security with our selection of fine, American-made safes, contact Dexter’s Best Liberty Safe today! We would love to show you all of the bells and whistles that ensure your valuables, firearms, and vital documentation will be reliably protected for decades.