Storage facilities are a silent partner in many people’s lives, helping to simplify home organization, encourage a minimal lifestyle and provide security for belongings. They can also ease transitional circumstances such as downsizing for retirement, travelling or relocating across the country.

Building a brand that stands out within the self storage industry helps attract customers and boost revenue potential. Move into your dream space and rely on Self Storage Skaitook for secure, accessible storage solutions.

There are a variety of storage unit sizes to choose from. To figure out which size is right for you, start by making an inventory of the items that need to be stored. This will give you a good sense of the size and quantity of items that will fit into different unit sizes.

One of the smallest options available is the 5’x5’ or “locker” size. This is small enough to hold a few smaller items, including golfing or sports gear, seasonal clothing and boxes of books or other media. This is a great option for people moving to a new home and needing somewhere to store their belongings until they can get settled into their house.

Another popular option is the 10’x10’ or standard unit. This is the most common size used for household items. This is big enough to fit a few pieces of furniture such as couches or dressers, several boxes and more. It is also a great option for people who are downsizing and need to store their current household furniture until they can move into a smaller apartment or house. This is also a very common size for business owners looking to store extra inventory or other business items.

Larger units include the 10’x20’ and 10’x30’. These are the biggest units that most facilities offer and can accommodate the contents of a small to mid-sized house or apartment, including multiple furniture pieces, appliances, stacks of boxes, and more. These units are also often used to store vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, commercial trailers and boats.

It is important to select the right size of storage unit for your needs, to avoid paying for space you don’t need or running out of room. Using an online storage unit size calculator can help you narrow down your options and make the best choice for your budget. If you are not sure which size to select, ask a storage expert at your facility for assistance. They are trained to know what sizes will accommodate which types of items and can provide recommendations based on their expertise.

Climate Control

Most storage facilities now offer climate control, and clients are willing to pay a premium for it. The feature helps protect delicate and fragile items, such as furniture, paintings, photographs, wine collections, musical instruments, and electronics. It can also help ward off rust or mildew and reduce the likelihood of electrical failures. The cost of installing climate control units will likely be offset by an increase in rental rates.

It’s important to make sure the facility you choose offers true climate control, which controls both temperature and humidity. Some companies only control temperatures, but this can lead to condensation that damages belongings.

Climate control can be especially beneficial for clients living in areas that experience extreme heat and humidity in the summer or winter, or both. It can also protect priceless family heirlooms, such as antiques and heirloom jewelry. It’s best to consult a storage expert when choosing a climate-controlled facility, and be sure to ask about the types of items that can be stored in their units.

The best way to ensure your storage unit will be suitable for climate control is to build with insulated walls and roof. Many buildings use metal or fiberglass insulation that is not air-tight, and it can be difficult for the climate control system to keep a building at a comfortable temperature. It’s best to use high-quality insulation, such as a foam board or spray-on cellulose, and install a ridge vent or skylight to allow the air to flow through.

The climate-control system in a storage unit should be designed for maximum efficiency, and it’s important to select the right HVAC system. Ideally, it should be designed with a dehumidifier and a separate humidistat that can help reduce moisture in the air. It’s also a good idea to use a ducting system that is well-designed for optimum air circulation, so the unit will not feel stuffy or overheated. It’s also important to consider the energy costs when selecting an HVAC system, and you should speak with a consultant to determine what options are best for your particular site and immediate or long-term needs.

Security

The vast majority of self storage facilities employ some form of security measures to keep their tenants’ belongings safe. Many use high-tech solutions ranging from access control to alarm systems to monitor stored properties and restrict unauthorized entry. Others go the extra mile to employ physical deterrents like tall fences and 24/7 surveillance.

The first step in securing your storage unit is locking it with a heavy-duty padlock that only you have the key or access code for. You should also consider investing in a disc padlock, which is more difficult to cut or break than traditional round locks. You should also be sure to report any signs of tampering or damage to the facility right away, as this can be a clear indication that someone is trying to steal your items.

Some self storage units take it a step further and have on-site managers or security guards. While this may seem like an unnecessary expense, having a person onsite can be a strong deterrent against theft and vandalism, especially since they will have immediate access to the facility in case of any problems.

Another common feature of top-rated self storage facilities is CCTV monitoring. These cameras are able to monitor the entire property and record any suspicious activity. They can then be viewed remotely from secure smart devices, making them ideal for identifying potential threats. Some advanced solutions even have features that allow them to automatically alert teams or engage wider security systems when certain events are detected, further enhancing their value.

Card readers are another popular security measure that can be used to limit who has access to a particular unit. These devices read data encoded on access cards and can be programmed to accept a variety of credentials, including fingerprints or facial recognition for added security. This makes them an excellent choice for ensuring that only authorized individuals are able to enter the property and allows for quick changes in access permissions when necessary. Popular brands of these systems include HID Global, Allegion, and IDenticard.

Finally, a top-rated storage facility will have a well-trained staff who knows the latest best practices in keeping the facility and its tenants safe. This includes regularly conducting inspections of both the facility and each individual storage unit to identify potential vulnerabilities. The facility should also make it a point to provide regular training sessions for its employees to help them understand the latest security trends and techniques.

Access

Depending on the type of storage unit and facility, customers can access their belongings during specific hours. This is called gate hours. It is important to know the hours of operation so you can plan accordingly. For example, if you need to retrieve something from your unit before the facility closes, make sure you allow enough time.

The type of access control system your facility uses can also play a significant role in its security and operational efficiency. For example, you might choose to use a keypad to allow customers to enter their storage units and an intercom or video connection to help facilitate communication with the facility staff when issues arise. However, the technology can only be beneficial if it integrates seamlessly into your entire facility management system. Otherwise, it becomes just another added layer of complexity for both customers and facility staff.

In addition to the gates and operators, you also need to consider other elements of the system, such as the locks that are installed on individual storage units. The locks can be connected to the gate and intercom systems to provide added security and functionality, such as the ability to automatically lock out late-paying customers without requiring them to go through a manager to override the system.

Another factor that can impact accessibility is the number of security cameras in and around your storage facility. Cameras can improve security by allowing facility staff to monitor and verify who is entering and exiting the facility. Additionally, they can be used to record footage of suspicious activity and to catch intruders in the act.

While a wide variety of items can be stored at a self-storage facility, some materials should not be kept in any storage unit at all. It’s best to keep your valuables at home or in a safe deposit box at a bank. For example, a storage unit is not the place to store your wedding photos or other priceless documents.

If you are looking for a place to store your precious belongings, look for a facility that offers climate control and has a well-lit parking lot. Then, make sure you label your boxes to help you find things in the future and follow the facility’s rules about storing materials such as paint and chemicals. Lastly, don’t forget to keep an inventory list of your items. You can do this by numbering each box and writing what is inside on a sheet of paper.