Are all Storage Units the Same?
This is clearly a leading question, but the answer is no. While we won’t get into the difference between all aspects of storage facilities, the actual units themselves can differ quite drastically, so it’s important that you know the differences.
Sticks & Stones
The differences start in construction. From the outside, most storage units look the same. Rows of buildings with garage doors. But it’s once you get inside a unit that you can tell how a unit building was constructed. In the 80s and 90s, many if not most storage buildings were built using traditional wood frame construction similar to how most homes are built. So, the walls and roof were supported by wood joists and studs. Fast forward to today, and many of the best storage facilities use steel construction. This provides a sturdier framework for the building as well as the roof. In addition, this eliminates the potential for wood rot and mold growth due to excess moisture and humidity.
Not So Dry-Wall
When you look inside one of those old storage units, what you often see is that the walls are lined with either plywood or drywall. There are many downsides to these materials. First, the type of drywall or plywood that is used is typically not waterproof, so if it gets wet, mold and mildew can grow with the spores spreading to your belongings. Second, both plywood or drywall can absorb odors. Then, as air is circulated inside the storage unit, the odor molecules from the wall can be transferred to your possessions making them smell bad. Odors trapped in the wood joists and posts can also be transferred to your stuff.
Stay on Solid Ground
Lastly, consider the floor inside a storage unit. Most if not all storage units these days have concrete flooring. While this is good, it’s important to examine the structural integrity of the concrete. Does it have any cracks? If so, this means that moisture from the foundation below the slab is most likely seeping into your storage space. Humidity can be extremely detrimental to sensitive items such as electronics or memorabilia like family photo albums.
Other Factors to Consider
In addition to the structural makeup of the storage unit, you’ll want to consider other factors that a storage facility may have.
If you have humidity-sensitive items to store, look for a facility that offers climate-controlled storage units. These facilities are constructed with high quality HVAC systems that include commercial dehumidifiers, high-grade insulation and customizable thermostats to manage temperature and humidity. If you just want to avoid any large temperature swings and be comfortable while in your unit, you can look for facilities that offer temperature-controlled storage units, which provides heat or air conditioning to keep the unit at a constant temperature level. Another option is to get a heated storage unit that keeps the temperature in the unit from dropping below a certain level.
You’ll also want to consider a facility’s security. It goes without saying that the facility should have perimeter fencing as well as passcode-accessed gate and entry points. They should also employ a 24-hour digital video surveillance system that covers most, if not all areas of the property. Lastly, you might want to see if the units at the facility are individually alarmed and whether they require cylinder locks on their units vs. the less-secure padlocks or disc locks.
Conclusion
As you can see, all storage units are not the same. Before signing a storage agreement, make sure that you take a look at the unit you plan to rent to see how it’s constructed. Also inquire about climate-control options and security.
