The Storage Place Blog

Is Climate-Controlled Storage Right for Me?

February 1, 2023
5 min read

If you’re in the market for self-storage, one of the first questions you’ll run up against is whether or not you should select a climate-controlled unit or not. But at first impression, you might not understand exactly what the difference between these two storage types is, or why you’d pick one over the other.

Whether you’re moving into a new home, putting away some seasonal belongings, or another reason in between, The Storage Place wants to help you make an important decision for the preservation of your items. By the end of this blog post, you’ll understand the differences between a climate-controlled and non-climate-controlled storage unit, which items would benefit most, and why you might need a climate-controlled unit.

What is a Climate-Controlled Storage Unit?

A climate-controlled storage unit ensures a regulated atmosphere between 60 and 80 degrees to minimize the effects of the elements on your items whether the wear is balmy and warm or bitterly cold. The difference between climate-controlled storage and a unit that has no climate control is how vulnerable your belongings are to the elements. Without it, during the cold months the interior temperature will drop, and vice versa in the summer. While winter temperatures aren’t of big concern in Texas, climate control can come in handy on the occasional unseasonably cold day.

What Kind of Damage Does Climate-Controlled Storage Prevent?

Extreme fluctuations in temperature can do incredible damage of varying types.

Though the exact nature of the damage is subject to change, some negative effects may include cracking and splintering, melting, warping, and otherwise generally disturbing the makeup of sensitive materials, like fine silks and electronics, which may not work the same after exposure to extreme temperatures.

If you take the chance and store your sensitive items in a non-climate-controlled unit, you may have to go through the costly process of having your items repaired or replaced. The worst outcome is having to discard your one-of-a-kind items heirlooms.

What Can I Store in a Climate Controlled Unit?

There are many types of items that benefit from climate-controlled storage, though you’ll want to do specific research for unique items so you know the best way to treat and handle them. Some items need regular treatment or maintenance, regardless of whether they’re stored in a safe, climate-adaptable storage facility or not. Here are some examples of what you may want to keep in climate storage:

  • Furniture: This is especially true of expensive or antique furniture. If left exposed, they could otherwise fray, crack, or warp.
  • Books, files, documents: Paper will gradually degrade and yellow without a balanced environment. This can be a disaster for important or rare paper products.
  • Collectibles: Comic books, wine, trading cards…these types of things need climate control to prevent rapid deterioration.
  • Fabrics and fine materials: Some fabrics could lose their quality when the temperature moves too high or too low, such as how leather will begin to crack.
  • Electronics: Because many electronics are made with very delicate parts and adhesives, they can be rendered useless with prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures.
  • Unique valuables: Instruments, artwork, furs…there are a variety of unique items that could be temporarily or permanently ruined without climate storage.

It’s worth noting that the time of year and projected storage length could make a difference, as well. Common wisdom suggests that if you wouldn’t store an item in your garage, you probably won’t want to leave it in non-climate storage. As such, most cars are okay in vehicle storage that doesn’t abide by climate control, though you may want to consider climate storage in the case of rare/old/classic cars.

Find Climate-Controlled Storage Units Near You at The Storage Place

At The Storage Place, we take pride in helping our customers find the storage solution they need to keep their belongings secure. Located throughout Texas, we provide both non-climate, and climate-controlled storage units of various sizes. Let us help you find the unit that’s right for your long-term and short-term needs.

Regardless of what or where you store, you can rest assured knowing we’ve implemented several surveillance measures as an extra layer of comfort—regular pest control, surveillance, keypad access, individual door alarms, and plentiful lighting.

Have more questions about climate-controlled storage? Feel free to contact one of our friendly storage professionals or find a Storage Place location near you to rent your climate-controlled unit today!

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