If you’ve got a garage at home, we’re willing to bet you have some stuff stored in there. Whether you’ve got just a few boxes of knick-knacks or things are stuffed floor to ceiling, everyone has something tucked away in their garage.
While there’s no arguing that the immediate accessibility of a garage is more convenient for accessing things you need regularly, anything you want to store long-term is almost always better off in a storage unit than your home garage.
So, before you haul that old leather chair that you just can’t bear to get rid of into the garage, consider the following:
Climate Control
Unless your garage is fully insulated and climate-controlled with heat and/or air conditioning, whatever you’ve stored in there is exposed to local weather extremes. That means whatever you’re storing in there gets exposed to the highest and lowest temperatures and the highest and lowest humidity in your climate.
Wood, leather, rubber, plastic, and many other common materials become susceptible to warping, cracking, mold, and mildew in those conditions.
With climate-controlled self-storage, you don’t have to worry about any damage to your possessions due to weather. Climate-controlled storage units are optimized to keep their contents at the optimal temperature and humidity all year round, regardless of the actual weather outside.
Security
If you keep anything of real value in your garage, ask yourself: How hard would it be for someone determined to get in and steal your stuff? Aside from the usual deadbolts and padlocks, almost everyone has on their garage doors, what else is keeping your valuables safe?
Reputable self-storage facilities typically have multiple layers of security around the clock. This often includes measures such as:
Gated access
24/7 video surveillance
Alarms
Security lighting
Security guards
If you have any concerns about the security of your home garage, it’s worth considering putting your valuable items in a more secure facility. If you decide that self-storage is a better option, ask about security measures before committing.
Your Car
Do you leave your car in your driveway or the street because you don’t have room to put it in your garage? It’s a pretty typical scenario for many American homeowners. Most people would prefer to park their vehicles in their garages if given the option.
Parking your car in the garage makes it more secure at night and allows you to avoid inclement weather when you leave and come home. While this might sound like a “nice to have” rather than a necessity, did you know that keeping your car in the garage can lower your auto insurance premiums?
Insurance companies factor in your vehicle’s security when determining the price of your insurance premiums. For example, let’s say you and your neighbor both own cars that are the same make, model, and year. If your neighbor parks on the street, and you put your car in the garage every night, you would likely pay less for the same amount of insurance.
Will the amount you save on insurance cover the cost of a self-storage unit? Probably not, but it’s worth calling your insurance provider to find out how much you can save.
Peace Of Mind
Some people don’t mind having a garage full of stuff. However, it can often feel like a burden or an eyesore that never goes away for those that do. Moving the contents of your garage into a secure self-storage facility can bring a sense of relief and peace of mind.
Here at GoldKey Storage, we offer a wide range of secure, climate-controlled storage units that can accommodate the contents of almost any size garage. Please get in touch with us today to learn more about our facilities, rates, and available units.
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