Since moving can be one of the more expensive and stressful decisions in your life,…
Chances are, you’ve seen plenty of outdoor storage units before, identifiable by their rows and rows of brightly colored sheds surrounded by a chain link fence. If it’s a nice facility, you might even see a security camera monitoring the front gate. Climate-controlled storage units are a different animal. These type of storage units are behind locked doors and in a secure facility. Not just anyone can drive up to a climate-controlled storage unit, one of their many benefits.
The Benefits of Climate Controlled Storage
Items That Always Need Climate Controlled Storage
Climate-controlled storage units provide many improvements over outdoor storage units, and some items even require climate-controlled vaults over outdoor units. Below we’ll look at what items should always have climate-controlled storage no matter what, as well as why climate-controlled storage units are the best all-around choice.
1. Wooden Furniture
Wooden furniture does not do well in the elements. Heat, humidity, cold, and moist air wreak havoc on wooden furniture because indoor furniture isn’t conditioned to be outdoors. Your family heirloom may suffer from rot, flaking paint and other damage. When it comes to wooden furniture, the air should be as dry as possible, and the only way to guarantee that is by having furniture stored in an indoor, climate controlled units, instead of outside. The same can be said for leather furniture. Leather fades with time, but temperature changes coupled with alterations in humidity increase the speed at which leather deteriorates.
2. Appliances
Electrical appliances can’t get wet at all or they rust. Indoor appliances such as microwaves, oven ranges, washers, dryers, dishwashers and refrigerators may warp and corrode in extreme heat or cold. Plus, storing appliances in an outdoor storage unit exposes them to possible insect or rodent intrusions.
3. Family Heirlooms
You can’t put a price on things that have so much sentimental value to you and your loved ones, which is why you need to make sure that they are stored and kept safely. Climate controlled storage is perfect for family heirlooms because it gives you a safe, static-climate area where you can store your heirlooms and access them anytime. As with anything else that you want to put in climate controlled storage, make sure your family heirlooms are covered and protected. Even though your heirlooms will be safely stored in a climate controlled storage, having them covered or packed somewhere safe is a highly recommended layer of security.
4. Special Items, or Collections
Climate-controlled storage units offer protection for special items or collections. Stamps, old documents, coins, sports cards, comic books and even bottles of wine need specific conditions to maintain their ideal state. Coins don’t tarnish as much when kept in climate controlled storage units, and stamps, comics and papers don’t curl up or form water spots due to humidity changes.
5. Musical Instruments
Climate-controlled storage units are also a must for musical instruments. Piano’s need steady temperatures and humidity levels so the strings, hammers, and keys don’t distort over time. Violins, cellos and other stringed instruments also will lose their musical capabilities for the same reasons.
Do I Need Climate Controlled Storage
8 Reasons Why To Use Climate Controlled Storage
Indoor storage units are different from outdoor units beyond just what you should store inside of them. Consider these benefits unique to climate-controlled storage units.
1. Added Security
Climate-controlled storage vaults have an added layer of security that’s more than just a locked gate outside a wide-open facility. Padlocked or keypad-controlled doors give you access to the main storage area and keep intruders out.
Indoor lighting makes it easier to see who comes and goes on security cameras. In the rare case there is a problem with burglary inside a storage unit, law enforcement has a much better chance of catching perpetrators when video surveillance cameras see people’s faces more clearly due to bright indoor lighting.
2. Protection Against Extreme Temperatures
One of the greatest benefits of using a climate controlled storage space to store your belongings in is to protect your belongings and valuables from extreme temperature change. Extreme temperatures fluctuations can take a toll on your items in a typical storage unit. The change in temperature can warp the wood on your furniture, wreck your antiques, hurt your electronics, and destroy books or important documents.
However, a climate controlled storage unit keeps your belongings at a moderate temperature so you won’t have to stress about them getting destroyed by changes in weather and temperature. Most climate controlled storage units will keep your storage space well above freezing and beneath 80 or 90 degrees so that your belongings don’t get disfigured or destroyed.
3. Circulates Fresh Air
You may notice that most standard storage spaces don’t have any way of circulating the air in your storage unit. These storage units are sealed differently than climate controlled storage units are and don’t allow proper air circulation. Poor air quality in storage units that are not climate controlled can also lead to the deterioration of your items and valuables.
Thankfully, climate controlled storage spaces are sealed and ventilated in a way that provides fresh air in your storage space. This is ideal for keeping books, documents, and furniture healthy.
4. Gives You Peace of Mind
If you live somewhere that is prone to extreme or even normal changes in temperature and/or weather, you aren’t going to get as much protection for your things in a standard storage space. As mentioned previously, changes in temperature, weather, and humidity can seriously damage the items that you are trying to preserve. Consequently, you will be constantly checking your storage space for damage.
With a climate controlled storage space, you can put those stresses to rest. Having a well-insulated storage space with temperature regulation technology will keep your valuables protected from water damage, dust, debris, humidity, poor air quality, and changes in temperature.
5. Ideal for A Variety of Valuables
Unlike standard, musty storage spaces, climate controlled storage spaces are ideal for storing and protecting a wide variety of valuables. Though you may be hesitant about putting anything expensive into storage, with a quality climate controlled storage space you will be able to protect the valuables that you don’t have room for in your home.
Here are just a few valuable items that climate controlled storage spaces can take care of:
- Antiques
- Old or new wooden furniture
- Televisions and electronics
- Books and magazines
- Important documents and photos
- Upholstered furniture
- Musical instruments
6. Out of the Elements
Imagine trying to get something out of storage in the driving rain or among falling snow. Indoor storage units remove the elements from your storage area. A heavy thunderstorm or whirling snow could whip around outside while you casually go through climate-controlled storage units in comfort, and without rushing around so nothing gets wet. Take your time when you have indoor storage units protecting your items.
7. No Insects or Vermin
Insects, rodents, and vermin specialize in crawling through very small spaces to reach their destination. Outdoor storage units aren’t bug-proof or rodent-proof. If you’re not careful, you could find tons of ants marching through your unit or a wasp’s nest in an upper corner. You don’t want mice taking up residence in one of your cardboard boxes: temporary storage units located indoors solve the pest problem.
8. Guards Against Dust and Moisture
Most standard storage spaces that don’t use climate control technology are not insulated very well. The poor insulation in these spaces leaves cracks and openings where dust and debris can creep all over your stored items, and also allows water in from rain, storms, or problems with plumbing in the building.
Climate controlled storage spaces use higher quality materials to insulate their ceilings, walls, and floors to prevent dust and debris from accumulating in your storage unit. This also helps protect your things from small flooding incidents and inclement weather.
Indoor storage units keep dust and dirt off of your items. Outdoor units can’t provide full protection, as the wind whips up dirt underneath and around the sides of the door. Additionally, moisture from outside rain or fog will not sneak into your storage unit and onto your belongings.
Storage Units For You
Get a sense of peace when you hire climate-controlled storage units. Temporary storage units are practical, safe, and ideal for keeping valuable items out of harm’s way. There are so many reasons to use indoor storage units, and you will benefit greatly from using them. Whether you’re moving your belongings, renovating your house, need extra space or just don’t want valuable items in your home, climate-controlled storage units are an excellent option. For more information, contact us today.
