Custom Panic Rooms in Ottawa
Discreet, fortified spaces designed, engineered, and built by OakWood
Since 1956, OakWood has been Ottawa’s premier Design & Build partner, trusted for craftsmanship, innovation, and discretion. We specialize in purpose-built panic rooms (also known as safe rooms, security rooms, or hidden rooms) that integrate seamlessly with your home’s architecture. Whether incorporated into a new custom home or retrofitted within your existing property, OakWood designs secure, comfortable spaces that protect your family, assets, and peace of mind without compromising style.
Why Choose Oakwood For Your Panic Room In Ottawa?
Choosing OakWood means working with a Design & Build partner who understands that true protection begins long before construction starts. Our panic rooms are not pre-fabricated or templated; they are custom-engineered environments designed to integrate seamlessly with your home’s architecture, systems, and aesthetic. Every space is discreet, secure, and finished to OakWood’s signature standard of luxury craftsmanship.
Builders first.
OakWood’s heritage as a builder drives every decision we make. We start by assessing the home’s structural envelope, load paths, and service lines to determine the most effective way to integrate secure systems without compromising design intent. Our in-house engineers and architects collaborate closely with security consultants and designers to create a space that performs flawlessly while remaining inconspicuous.
Proven and trusted.
With more than 10,700 projects completed since 1956, OakWood has become Ottawa’s most trusted name in premium residential construction. Our panic rooms are a natural extension of that legacy. These are projects completed with award-winning precision and backed by the financial strength of the Liptak Group, ensuring long-term stability and client confidence.
Turnkey solutions.
From concept and permits to construction and commissioning, OakWood manages every step in-house. Our vertically integrated process ensures seamless execution, accurate pricing, and full accountability.
Absolute discretion.
Your privacy is protected at every stage. We employ need-to-know protocols, discreet documentation, off-site fabrication of concealment components, and work exclusively with OakWood-approved trades who are vetted for security and professionalism.
What We Build
OakWood designs and builds concealed, high-performance panic rooms that combine structural strength, advanced technology, and refined interior design. These are not cold, utilitarian bunkers. They are architectural sanctuaries designed for safety, comfort, and enduring value.
Each space is planned to feel like a natural extension of your home while delivering a level of resilience few homeowners ever experience. Whether it’s a hidden chamber behind custom millwork or a fully equipped refuge within a new build, every OakWood panic room is crafted with meticulous attention to both form and function.
Core features include:
Ballistic- and blast-resistant wall, door, and framing assemblies engineered for your risk profile
Concealed entries integrated into cabinetry, wardrobes, or staircases, maintaining architectural harmony
Multi-factor or keyless access, panic switches, and automated lockdown triggers
24/7 monitored systems with secure, hardwired communications
Independent power systems, including battery banks, solar integration, or generators
Fresh-air delivery with HEPA or advanced filtration, pressure control, and CO₂ scrubbing
Secure storage for provisions, data, medical supplies, and valuables
Luxury interior finishes designed to foster calm and comfort during high-stress moments
Each detail is custom-designed, from wall thickness to trim profiles, ensuring that your safe room not only performs impeccably but feels consistent with the craftsmanship of the rest of your home.
Panic Room Options for Every Ottawa Property
OakWood offers complete flexibility for homeowners, whether you are building new, retrofitting a concealed room within an existing property, or expanding through a purpose-built addition. Our team designs around your goals, lifestyle, and architecture.
New Custom Homes:
The most efficient and cost-effective path. Integrating secure systems from day one allows us to design concealment directly into the structure. This means hidden corridors, false walls, or protected utility pathways that maintain the beauty and flow of your home.
Retrofits:
OakWood can transform existing spaces such as walk-in closets, offices, or wine rooms into fortified safe rooms without altering your home’s aesthetic. Structural reinforcement, electrical upgrades, and technology integration are handled discreetly and with minimal disruption.
Additions:
For clients who prefer a standalone fortified space, OakWood designs additions with independent life-support and power systems. These extensions are built with the same architectural detail and finishing quality as the main residence.
Short-term vs. Long-term Protection
Every OakWood panic room is purpose-built for how you intend to use it. Our team tailors systems, materials, and redundancies based on whether your priority is immediate refuge or long-duration sustainability.
- Short-term safe rooms are designed for immediate protection during a break-in or security event. They feature reinforced structures, real-time monitoring, and communication links that allow quick response without leaving the safety of the room.
- Long-term safe havens include advanced filtration systems, water and power backups, and climate control to support extended occupancy. These rooms are ideal for clients seeking comprehensive resilience during prolonged emergencies or environmental events.
Each design is reviewed by qualified security consultants when required, ensuring that your system performs to its intended level of protection.
Advanced Technology & High Performance Design
OakWood incorporates smart, sustainable technologies and construction practices:
- Solar panels, battery storage, military-grade generators
- Blast-rated components, fog screens, reinforced valves
- Integration with your home’s automation and security ecosystem
Final selections made at our award-winning Design Studios
Our Design & Build Process
At OakWood, discretion, precision, and professionalism define every project. Our Design & Build process is proven, transparent, and tailored to meet the highest standards of craftsmanship and confidentiality.
1. Confidential Consultation:
We begin with a private, no-obligation discussion to understand your goals, security priorities, and design preferences. All consultations are handled with absolute discretion.
2. Architectural Design:
Our in-house team develops detailed plans and 3D renderings to show exactly how the panic room integrates with your home. We ensure optimal concealment, comfort, and safety.
3. Material and Technology Selection:
Clients visit our award-winning Design Studios to explore premium finishes, fixtures, and system options, guided by OakWood’s design experts.
4. Fixed-Price Contract:
Transparency is built into our process. You’ll receive a detailed, fixed-price proposal outlining every scope of work with no hidden costs or surprises.
5. Turnkey Construction:
Every phase is managed by OakWood-approved trades who uphold our standards of craftsmanship, confidentiality, and professionalism.
6. Project Management:
Through OakWood’s VIP Portal, you’ll have 24/7 access to progress reports, schedules, and documentation, ensuring full visibility and peace of mind.
7. Comprehensive Warranty:
OakWood stands behind every project with a two-year standard warranty and optional 3-, 5-, or 10-year extended coverage for added assurance.
8. Permits and Compliance:
Our team manages all building, electrical, and mechanical approvals with the City of Ottawa, ensuring your panic room meets or exceeds all applicable codes.
All of this allows OakWood to deliver certainty, security, and lasting value, from the first concept sketch to the final inspection.
Additional Considerations
Every panic room OakWood builds is engineered with site-specific precision and designed to perform as part of a larger, cohesive home system. Our approach goes beyond security and focuses on creating a space that stands the test of time while aligning seamlessly with the home’s architecture, energy systems, and Ottawa’s unique environmental conditions.
Site-Specific Engineering for Ottawa Homes
Ottawa’s climate, soil conditions, and building codes demand an experienced partner who understands how to build for both strength and longevity.
- Foundation and Structure: Reinforced tie-ins and frost-line protection ensure your panic room remains secure and structurally independent from environmental movement or hydrostatic pressure.
- Environmental Safety: Radon mitigation, sump systems, and backflow prevention are standard considerations for basement or below-grade spaces.
- Acoustic Privacy: High STC-rated wall assemblies and advanced sound isolation techniques create a space that’s not only secure but also completely silent from the outside.
- Structural Materials: OakWood uses concrete, steel, and hybrid ballistic panels that are both engineered for resilience and concealed behind premium finishes.
Security Hardware: Impact-rated glazing, multi-point locks, and sensor-monitored doors and hatches combine performance with elegant design.
Security Ecosystem Integration
Each panic room becomes an intelligent part of your home’s broader security infrastructure.
- Surveillance & Detection: Integrated cameras, glass-break sensors, and motion detection systems provide immediate situational awareness.
- Emergency Response: Panic buttons, alarm triggers, and direct communication links connect to security teams or emergency services as required.
- Independent Communications: Hardwired Ethernet and cellular backups maintain connectivity even during outages.
Power Continuity: Dedicated UPS systems, solar support, and emergency lighting circuits provide self-sufficiency in any condition.
Confidentiality and Site Protocols
Discretion is foundational to OakWood’s process.
- All design, construction and system documentation are securely stored.
- Deliveries are handled through off-site coordination to avoid attention.
- Concealment components are fabricated in controlled environments by trusted OakWood-approved partners.
- Every trade professional working on your project operates under signed confidentiality agreements.
Maintenance, Testing, and Training
Once complete, OakWood ensures you know exactly how to maintain and operate your safe room.
- A simple inspection and testing checklist allows quick annual verification of systems.
- Family drills and communication tests help ensure preparedness and confidence.
- Mechanical, electrical, and life-safety documentation is supplied and reviewed with you directly.
Value, Resale, and Future Flexibility
Beyond peace of mind, a well-designed panic room is a value-generating feature that enhances the sophistication and market appeal of your home.
- Fortified spaces can be easily repurposed as wine rooms, home offices, or secure storage.
- For investors, these rooms serve dual functions as data protection or IT security hubs.
- As OakWood-built structures, they add tangible value backed by craftsmanship, certification, and warranty.
Ready to Plan Your Custom Panic Room in Ottawa?
OakWood is Ottawa’s trusted Design & Build partner for custom panic rooms, home panic rooms, and secret rooms that are as discreet as they are secure. Book your confidential consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a panic room change how my home looks?
No. OakWood specializes in architectural integration. Every panic room is designed to blend seamlessly into your home’s existing layout, using concealed doors, millwork panels, or wardrobe access. The result is complete protection without visual compromise.
How big should a panic room be?
The optimal size depends on your goals, occupancy, and available footprint. Some clients choose compact one-person spaces of refuge designed for rapid access, while others opt for multi-room suites equipped with washrooms, storage, and climate control. OakWood’s designers will recommend a layout that balances efficiency, comfort, and safety.
Can you add one to my existing home?
Absolutely. OakWood’s team specializes in retrofit construction, where the challenge lies in reinforcing existing structures without altering their appearance. We assess load-bearing elements, service routes, and concealment opportunities to design a solution that is discreet and code-compliant.
How secure is “secure”?
Every OakWood panic room is engineered based on your unique risk profile. This may include ballistic-rated walls, advanced filtration systems, and smart technology integrations. Whether you require short-term refuge or extended protection, our engineers and security partners design a system tailored to your needs.
From Our Clients
Locations
Ottawa East – HQ
Award-Winning Design Centre
OakWood Design Centre
865 Taylor Creek Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K4A 0Z9 Canada
Phone: +1 613-236-8001
Email: info@oakwood.ca
Hours
Ottawa Central – Glebe
New Design Studio
OakWood Design Studio
555 Bank Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5L7 Canada
Phone: +1 613-236-8001
Email: info@oakwood.ca
Hours
Ottawa West – Kanata
By Appointment Only
OakWood Trade Partner
31 Northside Road #100
Ottawa, Ontario K2H 8S1 Canada
Phone: +1 613-236-8001
Email: info@oakwood.ca
Hours
Partner with OakWood and gain a trusted Design–Build expert who brings insight, experience and executional excellence to your investment strategy. Schedule your confidential consultation today, and together we will create something exceptional.
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