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Choosing storage to best meet the needs of your items is an important and sometimes difficult task. Often customers are faced with a choice between outdoor or indoor storage units. You want to weigh the pros and cons of your storage needs. We’ve gathered 9 considerations to help you better choose between indoor and outdoor storage.
Indoor and outdoor storage – what is the difference?
Most major metropolitan areas have many excellent storages, and at least a few options in smaller cities across the US. So it’s important to consider the location and types of storage units before choosing them. Thinking about the outdoor storage, a novice in the storage world may suddenly imagine a fenced external storage cage with items exposed to the elements. Instead, the outdoor storage is enclosed in garage-like spaces with locks and driveways that lead directly to the units.
Indoor storage is usually located inside a building with several levels. Most often, the indoor storage facilities are smaller and are arranged in corridors on several floors. And the outdoor storage facilities are larger, and vehicles can drive directly to the unit.
Pros and cons of indoor storage units
There are many factors to consider when navigating options for the ideal storage, whether you need long-term storage or just 24-hours storage Manhattan. The items listed below will help you decide which storage option is best for you.
1. Climate control
People often use indoor units for spaces with climate control. Being able to have storage with climate control can be important in many circumstances. Often, storing clothing or a vehicle in a climate-controlled unit is crucial for protecting the material.
For example, many professional theater companies prefer to use climate-controlled indoor storage units for costume storage so that they can protect items for longer periods of time. Climate control can also be an important function when storing the most valuable antique furniture that you hope to keep in their original or nearly original form for as long as possible.
2. Pest control
You are less likely to encounter problems with bugs or rats when using indoor storage compared to outdoor storage. Remember to never store food or items that have not been cleaned. Keeping your storage clean can also help with avoiding pests.
Despite the fact that all efforts aimed at preventing bugs in your unit can be made in the outdoor unit, due to the design features, insects can find more entry points or shelters at this type of object.
3. Security
While all good storage units provide video surveillance and access to the code gate, the indoor storage provides slightly less visibility of your items to the outside world. Even though your outdoor unit is locked, if you are visiting it to load or unload, another customer or someone outside the gate can easily see what items are in your unit. You don’t want to move your belongings with the best movers in Manhattan and then discover they have disappeared.
4. Cleanliness
It is a little easier to keep things clean and dust-free in the indoor storage unit. Less dirt gets into the corridors and then into your unit. It is also a good way to keep your storage vermin-free. While most of the units are kept fairly well closed, the outdoor units may have gaps in the seals on the sides and bottom, which can allow dirt to enter the unit.
5. Space
Indoor storage facilities are generally much smaller than outdoor ones. Keep in mind how much space you will need for your items. If you have a need to store large items or you have a lot to store, the best option would be to use an outdoor unit.
There are some indoor spaces that offer large climate-controlled storage options. If you live in a humid climate, this may be necessary for the long-term storage of large items. Obviously, the size of your items will determine the size of your unit. Most often, outdoor units are larger than indoor storage units and are the best choice for storing large items.
6. Convenience
Driving directly to your storage is the biggest advantage of renting an outdoor unit. Nothing beats the convenience of being able to immediately get to the place where you need to unload a heavy piece of furniture or large loads. There are also fewer steps to access your unit with outdoor storage.
Indoor storage facilities are often multi-story buildings. Imagine taking things out of your car to the elevator and down the hall, rather than just driving straight to the unit. The construction of flights of stairs or elevators can complicate storing in the indoor unit.
7. Budget
Although the cost may vary depending on your geographic location, generally speaking, in urban environments, indoor storage units are a bit cheaper. This is because there is no room for a large, stretched outdoor storage. In rural areas, on the other hand, outdoor storage can be as affordable as indoor storage in large markets. Whatever you choose, make sure you find an affordable storage solution.
8. Type of items
An easy way to decide if you need storage indoors or outdoors is to analyze what items you will need to store. If you have more valuable items, such as antiques, household items, or smaller furniture, an indoor unit might be a better option.
Let’s say someone needs to store a whole small apartment of furniture and household items for a longer period of time and wants to maintain the quality and cleanliness of these items. For a tenant in this situation, it may be better to invest in indoor storage rather than outdoor storage.
Larger objects, such as outdoor tools or vehicles, may be better suited for the outdoor unit. Or, if storage is short-term, and in a relatively temperate climate, the tenant could actually store items that are usually better protected indoors.
9. Short or long term?
If the tenant needs to store items for longer periods of time, he should consider how to keep them safe and valued at the same level during initial storage. If the subject needs certain conditions to maintain its quality, be sure to take this into account when choosing indoors instead of outdoors.
For example, you can easily store outdoor equipment outdoors for a long period of time. Whereas, if for a beautiful dining table that needs to be stored for years, it may require storage indoors and a little more caution in preparing for storage.
What are your storage needs? We hope that the 9 points above will help you sort out the many options available to you. Regardless of whether you choose outdoor or indoor storage units, there are many great options to keep your things safe and ready for the next time you need them.