Two myths about drive-up self-storage units

Below are two myths about drive-up self-storage units.

They're less secure than interior storage units

These units are designed to be directly accessed by people in vehicles and so need to be located in the outdoor areas of storage companies' premises. Because of this, there is a myth that they're less secure than interior units, which people can only access on foot after entering a building. However, self-storage companies take many measures to ensure their drive-up units are just as safe and secure as their interior ones.

For example, most storage businesses will have commercial-grade security fences around the perimeter of their collection of drive-up units, along with electric gates that are monitored by their security team and a CCTV system. These security team members will only allow registered renters of the units and authorised staff members to come through this barrier. Furthermore, in many instances, the fencing and gates have alarm sensors that will be set off if anyone tries to climb over or tamper with them. Additionally, even if a person were somehow able to gain unauthorised access to the area where the drive-up units are located, the units themselves would be next to impossible for them to break into. This is because these units have high-quality locking systems and robust doors that are extremely difficult to tamper with and break open.

They (and their contents) are more likely to be damaged by the elements than interior storage units

Another myth is that drive-up self-storage units, and the items inside them, are more vulnerable to damage by the elements than interior storage units, due to their outdoor location. However, these units are designed to withstand continuous exposure to the elements. They are tightly sealed and their doors are usually waterproof, as well as UV and corrosion-resistant.

Furthermore, drive-up units are often constructed so that there's a slight slope from the ground outside them to the unit's interior. This design feature, coupled with the flood barriers that the staff can position outside the doors during bouts of heavy snow or rain, means that there is very little chance of rainwater or snow pooling outside the units' doors and damaging the doors, or seeping past them into their interiors.

Additionally, many self-storage premises have permanent awnings over their drive-up units, which can provide these units with extra protection from the elements, without hindering people's ability to access them with their vehicles. Lastly, staff at these companies will often regularly check the condition of the units and arrange for any weather-induced deterioration they find to be promptly repaired.

For more information about drive-up self-storage units, contact a local company.