What You Should Know About Climate-Controlled Storage vs. Standard Units

When you’re in the market for a self-storage unit in Minnesota, you’re likely most focused on the security of the unit, how much you can expect to pay over an extended period of time to store your items there and where that facility is located (is it in a convenient, safe location?). However, it’s also important for you to spend some time carefully thinking about the specific items you’ll be storing in the unit and any requirements they will have to remain in safe, high-quality condition during long periods of storage.

Standard outdoor storage units might be sufficient for items like clothing, some types of furniture or kitchen items. But if you have valuables, musical instruments, family heirlooms, art, electronics or other items that could see deterioration due to exposure to changing seasonal conditions, you should consider a climate-controlled storage space in Minnesota.

Here’s an overview of what you should know about how these types of storage units differ from standard outdoor storage spaces.

Climate-controlled storage provides greater protection

The cost of storing your items in a climate-controlled unit is going to be higher than it would be in a standard unit, but it’s worth it to get the extra protection these sensitive or valuable items need, especially if you live in an area that sees wide temperature and climate swings with the changing of the seasons.

Most self-storage facilities in the country offer both indoor climate-controlled units and standard outdoor drive-up storage. If you have items like electronics, vinyl records, comic books, furniture, documents or various collectibles, these items could sustain damage as a result of exposure to extreme heat, cold or humidity. High humidity, for example, causes warping and cracking in some items, and could result in the formation of mold or mildew on some types of items kept in those storage spaces. The higher temperatures can damage electronic equipment, which is not designed to be exposed to temperatures of that extreme nature.

There are also certain types of businesses that require climate control for storing certain items. Wine and other types of beverages need to be stored at certain temperatures. Pharmaceutical sales representatives might need to store samples in a climate-controlled location, as those samples could sustain damage very quickly if left in an outdoor storage unit.

Therefore, when looking at storage facilities that offer climate control, you should look for units that are kept at a steady temperature. Some units might even allow you to set temperatures in your specific unit, but the more common setup is to have temperature control for the entire building.

Investing in climate-control storage gives you peace of mind regarding the condition of your items and ensures they will be protected during the course of long-term storage.

Interested in learning more about some of the biggest differences between climate-controlled and standard storage spaces in Minnesota and why investing in climate-controlled units can be worth your while? Contact K-Way Express, Inc., a logistics company in Minnesota, with any questions you have and we will be happy to provide additional information.