It’s normal to accumulate things over the years, especially if you’ve recently moved. With every new home you have, you buy furniture, décor, window treatments, and more to update interior design and make the rooms feel like home. Your belongings, particularly in regard to furniture, were built to be enjoyed for years, but sometimes things can get a little crowded. Rather than throwing things away or taking them to your local donation center, consider storing your excess furniture in a self-storage unit nearby. This way, you can keep your items easily accessible and in the family without crowding your living room. When choosing your self-storage unit, however, it’s important to consider the features available. Here, we’ll answer the commonly asked question, “do you need climate-controlled storage for furniture?”
What is Climate-Controlled Storage?&
Climate-controlled storage is a way of controlling the environment that your belongings are kept in. This includes both the temperature and the humidity level of your space. The temperature is usually set at the facility and is regulated using either air conditioning or heating, depending on the time of the year. This allows for temperature stability regardless of the weather. The humidity is controlled using the HVAC systems combined with dehumidifiers and insulation features. When you’re looking for a storage facility, make sure that you differentiate this key feature. Many places offer temperature control, but not complete climate control. While temperature-controlled self-storage may be sufficient in some climates, if you live in an area with hot, humid weather or harsh winters, it’s best to utilize full protection with climate control.
The Benefits of Using Climate-Controlled Self-Storage
While basic self-storage may be alright for some of your belongings, it’s always best to take extra precautions to keep your things in good condition. This is especially true when you’re storing valuable items, sentimental artifacts, antiques, or other sensitive belongings. When looking at your options, consider the benefits of using climate-controlled self-storage.
Temperature Protection
Climate-controlled storage allows your things to be protected from extreme temperatures. Depending on the time of year and your geographic location, temperatures can reach higher than 100 degrees in the summer and well below 32 degrees in the winter. These fluctuations can cause a lot of damage to your items when they’re not protected. Climate control stabilizes the temperature inside your storage unit year-round to give you ongoing protection.
Humidity Protection
Humidity can also be damaging to your items, especially if you live in southern states or cities where mugginess is the norm. Moisture particles in the air can damage electronics, cause furniture to warp, and drastically increase the risk of mold development. Climate-controlled storage keeps the humidity level stable using HVAC systems, dehumidifiers, and various insulation features.
Added Peace of Mind
Arguably, one of the biggest benefits to using climate-controlled storage is knowing that your things are protected regardless of the weather. This can give you the security you need when storing things for weeks or for decades. This added peace of mind goes a long way and is well worth the investment.
6 Characteristics to Consider
The benefits of using climate-controlled self-storage are vast, but that doesn’t necessarily answer the question of whether or not you need it for your furniture. Before choosing storage conditions for your belongings, make sure you take the following six characteristics into consideration.
1. Upholstered Furniture
When you plan to store upholstered furniture, you need to take extra precaution. This type of furniture is more susceptible to damage from uncontrolled environments, as mold can breed in the fibers, and odors or dust can penetrate the fabric. This can lead to irreversible damage, making the entire process of storing them a waste of time and money. While some people try to wrap their upholstered furniture prior to storing in uncontrolled environments, this can cause long-term problems as the fabrics need to breathe. Climate-controlled environments are the best way to keep upholstered furniture in good condition for years. If you want an added layer of protection, wrap them in a breathable material made of cotton.
2. Antique or Valuable Items
Most antique furniture requires delicate care to avoid damage and deterioration. The biggest problem that this type of furniture faces when in storage is humidity, as it can cause wood to shrink, swell, and warp over time. This is extremely relevant in areas where the climate fluctuates between extreme temperatures or humidity levels. Over the years, this cycle can cause wood to crack and split, thus ruining the antique. For the best long-term care of your delicate items, opt for a self-storage unit that maintains humidity levels around 55% and always utilize renter’s insurance to protect valuables.
3. The Humidity of Your City
Some cities are more humid than others. If you live in an area that’s dry and doesn’t experience high humidity levels at any time throughout the year, using temperature-controlled self-storage may be sufficient enough to protect your items. However, if you live in a city that experiences hot, humid weather during the summer months, climate-controlled storage is essential. Humidity is a magnet for mold, mildew, and premature deterioration, especially in regard to furniture. When not stored properly, you may open your unit to find unsalvageable items, which essentially renders your self-storage unit pointless. Make sure you protect your ongoing investments with climate-controlled storage for your furniture.
4. Length of Storage Time
Some people utilize short-term self-storage when they’re moving, while others need long-term storage options. The length of time that you’ll be putting away your belongings can make a difference on the climate requirements. If you are absolutely certain you’ll only be storing things for about a month during more temperament parts of the year, using outdoor storage units or non-climate-controlled options might be okay. However, if you’re not sure how long you’ll need to keep your items in storage or are looking to use a facility for a few months or longer, climate-controlled storage is your best option. This will protect your items and give you the peace of mind that they’ll remain in good condition when you need to access them.
5. Indoor vs. Outdoor Storage Units
Some people want to utilize outdoor storage units, which are drive-up units that don’t have the same climate control capabilities as indoor options. This could be due to the size of the items they want to store, accessibility preferences, or cost. Before choosing whether or not you’ll want to store your items in an indoor storage unit or an outdoor storage unit, consider the contents you’ll be putting away. While convenience is a huge factor for many people, sometimes it’s worth the hassle of taking your items indoors to ensure that they’re properly protected. Talk to your storage facility to learn more about variable options for long-term storage.
6. Cost of Furniture vs. Storage
Finally, consider the overall cost of the furniture you plan on storing. If your items are valuable and carry a high dollar amount, it’s simply not worth the risk to store them in anything less than full climate control. While the investment for these units might be slightly higher than outdoor units or units without any type of climate control, opening your storage doors to find broken, damaged, or completely unsalvageable property is not something that you want to experience. When you need self-storage and want to utilize an offsite facility, it’s best to think of it as an investment to keep your things usable when you need them next.
How to Choose the Best Storage Options for Your Belongings
Ultimately, the choice between traditional storage and climate-controlled storage is up to you and your needs. However, if you plan to store your furniture and belongings for more than a month or two, the benefits of using a controlled environment often outweigh the costs. This is especially true if you’re storing furniture that’s valuable or carries high sentimental worth. Securing your self-storage unit has never been easier with The Lock Up Self Storage. Simply determine your size needs, find a location nearby, and give us a call. We offer flexible leasing options so you can feel confident that you’re only paying for what you need. In addition to ongoing climate control in all of our units, our facilities are equipped with top-of-the-line security features including security-controlled gate access, motion-sensitive lighting, 24-hour camera monitoring, and perimeter alarms. To find a self-storage unit, contact one of the representatives at The Lock Up Self Storage by calling 1-866-327-LOCK or find a unit online today!
