The Advancement of the Self Storage Unit
The Advancement of the Self Storage Unit
Self storage units have been around since the 1970’s and have undergone a lot of changes since then. Today, a growing number of people and businesses are taking advantage of the convenience that self storage units provide. However, most people have no idea where self storage units actually came from and how they have evolved over time. Some units are still very similar to the original units whereas some have advanced a great deal in order to accommodate the changing needs of today’s storage users. Here is a quick look at how self storage has changed over the last few decades.
Originally, self storage units had very few rules and were normally built off of the everyday path with no additional safety aside from the locks on the doors. Initially, the rules were fairly simple and few in number. They included: no one can sleep or live in their storage unit, they could not resale or sub-lease a storage unit, and could not store hazardous materials. That was about it.
Over time, the self storage industry has grown extremely rapidly and the services provided has expanded a great deal. They now range widely in sizes and accommodations Traditionally, self storage facilities had a very limited selection in regards to size whereas today, storage units can be as small as walk-in closet or large enough to store everything from a two-bedroom apartment.
Some of the most noted changes are in the features that a self storage unit has as well as the safety precautions that are taken. Some of the newer features include: climate controlled environments and cold storage. Climate control has proven especially useful as people are starting to store more fragile items such as finished wood and electronics. Climate controlled storage units are insulated and well constructed which helps them to prevent a variety of damage such as water damage and mold/spore damage.
Security has changed in a number of ways as well. Recent technology that is being used include: keypad access, 24-hour onsite security, a variety of fencing, and video surveillance. Before these types of security measures were used, self storage rooms were often left out in the open with the padlock being the primary means of securing the property inside. They also did not have fencing or any on-site or video security either.
As you can see, self storage has already advanced quite a bit since the 1970’s. The main advancements can be seen in the increased size, features, and security that are now provided as a standard service. It is expected that self storage will continue to advance as quality alternatives continue to join the marketplace, most notably PODS-style systems. To compete with the convenience of mobile self storage, traditional self storage rooms are primarily relying on advances that are being made to features, such as climate control, and guaranteed security.
Now that you have a better understanding of how self storage units have advanced over the past several decades, it should be easier to identify which services are more up-to-date than the rest. This will not only help you make a quality choice, but also help you identify what features are most meaningful to fit your needs.
