One of the most frequent questions our managers get is “What size unit do I need?” While this is easy enough to answer based on the volume of items that you will be bringing to store, a harder question might be “What type of unit do I need?”

In this post, we’ll discuss the various types of storage units and why you do – and don’t – need them.

Drive-Up or Inside Unit

You often have two options to start with: a unit that you can drive up to or one that is inside a building.

Drive-up units are great for those who frequently visit and change out their belongings. This type of unit features a door that is outside, so it makes it easy for you to drive directly up to your unit. People who might want this type of unit are businesses that specialize in a trade and store their tools; people who own outdoor equipment (such as tents, skis, or sporting equipment); and finally, anyone who is storing an automobile or other type of vehicle.

The downside with drive-up units is minimal at best. Because they do directly face the outdoors, dust and dirt can more easily access your belongings. This can be remedied by ensuring that your unit door has the proper seal along the bottom and sides before you rent the unit. Check for gaps when the door is closed. You will also want to check with your facility to ensure whether or not your drive-up unit is climate-controlled. Many facilities strive to be energy efficient and outdoor units take a lot of power to keep cool, which can add to the cost of your unit if it’s included in your rent.

Inside units are the perfect solution for those who have more temperature sensitive items like furniture, documents, collectables, etc. They have the added measure of cleanliness by being separated from the outdoor dust and rain. Customers who might benefit from an indoor unit include those who are moving homes, business owners storing excess inventory, document storage, and collectables.

Some of the drawbacks of an inside unit comes down to ease of access. It takes a little longer to get to your unit than a drive-up one, and you’ll probably need to acquire a dolly for moving items back and forth.

Climate-Control or No Air-Cooling

This might seem like an easy choice and nowadays newer facilities have adapted to include climate-control in most, if not all, of their units. But occasionally, you will find facilities without air-cooling.

Climate-controlled units have the advantage of keeping your items – and yourself – out of the extreme temperatures of winter and summer. This is perfect for anything mentioned above in the pros of inside units. If you visit your unit regularly, you should be keeping your comfort in mind as well. These types of units cost only marginally more than non-climate units, so renting one won’t cost too much either.

So with all these great benefits, why wouldn’t you want a climate-controlled unit? The truth is, they provide a lot of benefits over a unit that doesn’t, so this really comes down to personal preference. If you are storing short-term (<month), you may want to skip the extra expense of climate-control. You may also prefer a drive-up unit; in which case it may not have this feature. Either way, the decision is really yours!

First Floor or Multi-Level

Many facilities offer both first floor units and second (and third!) story units. First floor units are ideal for those who want an inside unit, have heavier items to store, and still want easier access than upper levels offer.

Upper levels have the advantage of less foot traffic – meaning less dust travel. If you have mainly lightweight items to store, and don’t mind using elevators, you’ll also find that they save you money on rent.

Looking for that perfect unit? We can help! Contact your nearest Towne Storage today and ask about our latest deals.