After you have decided on the
storage location that is most convenient for you, your property manager is
going to ask what type of unit you want. If you are new to self storage, you
may panic a little from this question because you don’t understand the
differences. Don’t fret! We’re here to help explain the differences to you –
they are very simply, yet very important.
Let’s start with interior access storage units. These units are
accessed from inside a building and down a hall, and sometimes up a set of
stairs or even an elevator to a higher (or lower) floor. These storage units
include temperature controlled units or standard interior units.
·
Standard interior units are not regulated for temperature, so
they are basically whatever temperature that part of the building is at any
time of the year. These units do not get unbearable on either end of the
spectrum, but can be rather stuffy in the heat of summer and quite chilly
during the winter. They are, however, kept safe from the outside weather
conditions all year.
·
Temperature controlled units are regulated to stay within a certain
temperature range year round. We keep our temperature controlled units between
55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures that your items do not become too
hot or too cold.
The downside to interior access units is that you will have to
go through a building door and down a hall to reach your unit; and sometimes up
a set of stairs or an elevator. Depending on how large the building is, you
could end up a longer distance away from one of the entrance doors than you
would like. We do provide the use hand carts to make this process as easy as it
can be, however. These carts can be used for free to bring your belongings from
the door and right up to your unit without having to carry boxes and other
items. We do ask that you please not take our hand carts outside of the
building at any time. You can drive your vehicle right up to the door and
simply load and unload the carts at the entrance.
Moving along to drive up access storage units. These units are
only accessible from the outside where you can simply park directly in front of
your unit door to load and unload. These are most commonly referred to as a
‘garage type’ unit. These units are considered the most convenient and often
the most desirable due to the ease of use and access. However, they do have their
downsides as well. They are susceptible to the outside temperatures all year,
while you are susceptible to the weather conditions such as rain, snow and wind
while accessing you unit. Because they are essentially a metal box, they can
get very hot during the peak of summer heat and humidity, and they can be like
an ice box while in the midst of a winter freeze. That means that your
belongings inside these units are going to experience these extreme temperature
shifts throughout the year.
So, how do you know which one to choose?
If you are planning to keep your items in storage long term,
such as more than six months or for years to come, it is recommended to use an
interior unit or temperature controlled unit. This also rings true if you are
storing wooden and upholstered furniture such as an antique bedroom set, a
mattress, sofa and so forth. Wooden furniture can warp, crack and dry out when
temperatures swing significantly over the seasons. Fabrics can become brittle,
rip and tear if they become too hot or too cold. Both are also at risk of
moisture damage from excessive humidity.
However, for short term storage under six months, business
storage, or even long term storage for items such as metal patio furniture,
bikes, kayaks, holiday decorations and similar items that you rotate in and out
based on the season, you can go with a drive up unit and your belongings will
be safe. If you are using storage for business inventory, for example, drive up
storage is perfect because you are rotating inventory in and out often and
nothing ends up in the unit for any length of time. So, while this is
considered long term storage, the items in the unit are only really being held
short term.
Discussing the different types
of units with the property manager can
help you make the decision that is best for you. Always remember that no matter
what unit type you choose, it is important to check on your items at least once
every month or two. This guarantees that if an issue arises you will find it
sooner rather than later, preventing further consequences. And if you are ready
to secure your storage unit now, you can rent online now and
get moving!
MidMaine Storage Solutions offers both drive up exterior access and interior self storage, which includes a moving cart in our brand new building to make your move a lot easier.
We offer THE Contactless Rental Solution. Rent On LIne and Pay On Line. Interact with our management team if you wish. We are always available as needed. Call--we'd love to discuss your storage/moving questions.
Rent on line @ www.MidmaineStorageSolutions.com or........... call 207 278 2789 or 207 430 9294
MidMiane Storage Solutions is conveniently located in Central Maine--Corinna, just behind the Dollar General Store on Moosehead Trail (aka the Newport RD and/ or Route 7 at the end of Mill ST. 1/4 mile from Dollar General.
