Climate-Controlled Vs. Traditional Drive Up Storage Units
When looking at storage solutions for your belongings, you may have the option to choose between climate-controlled and traditional storage units. In short, climate-controlled units have a consistent temperature and humidity throughout the year, while traditional drive up storage units have their temperature and humidity controlled by the natural environment.
What Are Climate-Controlled Storage Units?
Climate-controlled storage units maintain a constant temperature and humidity year-round, stabilizing the environment for your items. This type of storage is ideal for items that are sensitive to temperature and humidity because they are more prone to damage, such as cracking, splitting, and ruin.
Moisture is among the worst enemies of your stored items and one of the reasons to opt for climate-controlled units. Retaining their natural integrity is the number one factor regarding stored items. With stabilized humidity levels, the environment will become favorable where condensation is not a factor. It will minimize the risk of mildew and mold growth, rust on metal items and equipment, or botching your mirror.
Daily fluctuations in temperature could cause your stored items to crack and split. Wooden furniture, in particular, is sensitive to weather conditions. Hot and dry air can make wood lose its moisture and eventually crack. Conversely, wet and humid weather can make wooden furniture absorb extra moisture and warp, while more water can seep into furniture joints or timber grain. Apart from affecting the structure of your wooden items, they can also attract pests and microorganisms such as termites or mold. Similar phenomena can be experienced with electronic devices if stored under extreme temperatures. A constant room temperature, whether hot or cold, could affect their internal components and result in internal condensation that could ruin your electronic device in the worst-case scenario.
A number of climate-controlled units use a building's interior to host their storage units, which offers extra protection from unauthorized access and critters. Most of all, it can be an ideal option for storing high-value or sliding items.
Traditional Drive Up Storage
On the other hand, traditional drive up storage units do not offer the same environmental protection as climate-controlled units do. Depending on the type of storage unit, traditional units are mainly dependent on the environment outside. For instance, outdoor units may be at the mercy of nature, whereas indoor units may offer a limited amount of protection.
If you go with traditional units, temporary temperatures are inevitable in your staff's living quarters, as the temperature changes daily. Depending on the season, summer heat or winter cold can wreak havoc on your stored items. Summer heat can melt or warp many items, including vinyl records, candles, or electronics. The winter cold tends to make natural materials brittle, ready to crack or split when any pressure is applied.
Humidity concerns are an important yet often overlooked aspect of traditional units. High humidity levels can facilitate the growth of mildew and mold on storage items, especially on fabrics, paper, and other porous materials. Items stored in cardboard boxes are particularly susceptible to condensation, as the humidity can seep into the boxes and weaken their structure over time.
Aside from the main concerns about temperature and humidity control, another factor associated with uncontrolled units is dust and dirt. Without proper protection, these elements tend to accumulate in your stuff, such as upholstered furniture that gets musty over time and electronic devices that could be clogged up by dust moving in and out of the unit.
Choosing The Right Storage Option
Several factors must be considered when choosing between climate-controlled and traditional drive up units. It depends on your items and how long you plan to use the unit. For instance, traditional drive up storage units are a good option if you need to store items temporarily and if your items are not particularly sensitive or valuable. However, if you have helpful, sentimental, or temperature-sensitive items and plan to use the storage unit long-term, the safer option is climate-controlled units.
If you're ready to safeguard your valuable possessions in a reliable, climate-controlled facility, contact us today! Ready to get started? Visit us at one of our 33 locations, or rent your unit online now. Join the StorageMax community and enjoy a stress-free storage experience like never before.