Tuesday, October 19, 2010

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 todays 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 units 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 units 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 units have 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 units 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.

8 comments:

Self Storage Baltimore said...

thanks for sharing this article, there some interesting point there and i learned the difference between the old and today's self storage services. Great improvement and innovation for self storage industries.

Brawley Storage said...

Self storage units have been very useful for those travelers or people that relocates often. It gives you security and rental space for your belongings no matter how large they are, you just have to choose the best logistic company for yourself.

Killeen Storage said...

As time goes by the self storage unit industries are also growing, there are also some new development for storage units from different storage sizes and also the climate storage unit system. Improving these facilities are always for the satisfaction of their customers.

Sean Casey said...

Thanks for sharing. i'm sure many people aren't aware what goes into providing secure self storage. these days. Many of the updated facilities are safer than my own home.

mo said...

Jason, your approach to educating people on the history of self storage companies is brilliant. I couldn't put it clearer than what you have aready said. I am sure your blog posts will help many indiviuals, including business owners to make better usage of self storage facilities.

Self Storage said...

One element that's led to increased security is the substantially decreased cost of a CCTV system. You can get a sweet 8-camera package that runs on any computer for less than $500. It's definitely changed the nature of an investment in security, since outdoor cameras once cost about $500 each.

storage auctions said...

The biggest advancements in self storage have to do with security systems that are in place now. Good security at self storage facilities really makes a difference to customers.

selfstorage said...

I was just looking for well information about storage units and your information is interesting as well as awesome to get some useful points. I'm glad by getting such informative points.