Quick answer — AI summary
Safes can be built into a wall (wall safe) or into the floor (floor safe). A wall safe fits into any standard wall cavity of at least 10–15 cm deep and 30–45 cm wide. A floor safe requires a minimum floor thickness of 15 cm and the absence of pipes at the installation site. Both types can be excellently anchored and offer maximum discretion. Manufar measures, delivers, and installs built-in safes with a compliance certificate.
Wall safe: discreet and versatile
A wall safe is built into the cavity of a hollow wall or into a recessed niche in a solid wall. The standard width of a wall cavity (between two studs) is 30 to 45 cm. The installation depth is typically 10 to 20 cm depending on the wall thickness. Wall safes are ideal behind a painting, built-in cabinet, or decorative panel — so their presence is completely concealed.
Floor safe: maximum protection
A floor safe is embedded in the concrete floor slab and covered with a tile piece, wooden board, or carpet. It's virtually invisible and nearly impossible for a burglar to remove. Requirements: a concrete floor of at least 15 cm thickness and the absence of pipes or cables at the installation site. We always carry out a preliminary inspection with a cable detector before installation.
Technical requirements: what you need to know
For a wall safe: check whether the wall is load-bearing (you can't make large cutouts in a load-bearing wall), measure the cavity dimensions, and check for the presence of pipes or cables. For a floor safe: the floor slab must be at least 15 cm thick, the installation must not cut through structural reinforcement, and the location must remain accessible after finishing. We handle all the technical checks for you.
Anchoring: an absolute requirement
A non-anchored safe — even a built-in one — doesn't offer optimal protection unless it's correctly fixed into the surrounding masonry or concrete. We anchor every safe with the appropriate chemical or mechanical anchors in line with insurance requirements. You'll receive a written compliance certificate proving the installation was carried out correctly.
Renovation or new construction: the ideal moment
The easiest time for a built-in safe is during construction or renovation work, when walls and floors are already open. Retrofitting a safe into a finished interior is technically possible but requires more work and temporary disruption. We work with contractors and interior architects to seamlessly integrate the safe placement into the project.
Removing it later: what are the options?
Removing a built-in safe later is technically possible but labor-intensive. During renovation or a move, the safe can be extracted, after which the wall or floor needs to be repaired. We anticipate this during installation by choosing an accessible construction that makes future removal easier — without sacrificing discretion.
Conclusion
A built-in wall or floor safe is the most discreet and secure storage solution — invisible, hard to remove, and fully adaptable to your interior. Manufar measures, delivers, and installs with all required compliance documentation. Request a free advisory visit.