If you have never used a self storage facility before, it can be hard to know the ins and outs of the industry or even what a self storage facility is. In short, a self storage facility is a place in which you can rent a storage unit, for a period of time selected by you, where you can store items. They are often used by businesses to store stock or by people during a house move. 

Within this article, we are going to talk more in depth about what a self storage facility is and how they will be beneficial to you and your life. 

What is a Self Storage Facility?

The definition of a self storage facility is that it is a place which has a vast array of storage units available to rent for domestic or business purposes. 

The units usually come in a variety of sizes, allowing the facility to cater to many different needs. Some storage facilities also offer mini storage or portable storage.  

The storage units are usually rented on a short-term basis, often month to month, but many storage facilities are also happy to cater to longer term needs.

Types of Self Storage Facilities 

There are many different types of storage available, some of which will be available in all self storage facilities, others you may have to specifically search for it. 

The types of self storage that you will available are:

• Indoor storage 
• Outdoor storage
• Drive-up storage
• Vehicle storage, including cars, RVs and boats

Depending on the type of storage you need, you will need to speak with the facilities team so they can make sure that they can meet your storage needs. 

Common Uses of Self Storage Facilities

There are many common uses of self storage facilities, with them often falling into either domestic or business categories.

Domestic Use

Domestic uses include things such as house moves or home renovations. Self storage can make a house move run more smoothly as it provides you with a space to store your belongings whilst you get your new house ready to move into. It also allows you to pack nice and early and then unpack at your own pace. 

With renovations, it is very similar. Self storage will give you a space to store your belongings so items don’t get damaged or messy during the renovations. If you are only renovating one room, it also allows you to keep the rest of the house more normal, instead of filled with boxes and furniture. 

Business Use

We have many business customers and they find using self storage to be beneficial to their business. This is because self storage is an excellent place to store inventory, equipment and documents. 

It allows you to organise your inventory, making for easier inventory management. It also gives you the option of moving your entire business operations over to the self storage facility. This can save your home from being a work environment or, if you rent an office or workspace, you could leave that and save some money. 

Seasonal Storage 

Self storage can be used to store seasonal items. This is handy for domestic  and business reasons. 

For domestic use, you can store seasonal clothing, seasonal sports gear or decorations within a storage unit. This will help you to keep your home tidy and organised. 

For business use, if certain times of year are busier for you, such as Christmas, you can use your storage to store the excess stock that you need to cover this period. If you already have storage and it’s full, you can add some extra storage to cover you for the busy seasonal period. 

Benefits of Using a Self Storage Facility 

There are many benefits to using a self storage facility but some of the key benefits are, firstly,  that your belongings will be protected by state-of-the-art security features. All professional storage facilities will have enhanced security features such as CCTV, gated access and alarms. 

All of our facilities are covered by 24/7 CCTV surveillance and we have pin-code access to add an extra layer of security. Each of our storage units is fitted with an intruder alarm and smoke and fire detectors. This protects your belongings from theft and environmental factors. 

Next, there is the level of convenience that self storage gives you. If you are using it for business purposes, you can run your entire business from your unit, making your business more streamlined and efficient. Also, many self storage facilities offer excellent accessibility to your unit. Many of our stores have extended opening hours. Please check our website to see if your local store has them. 

Finally, self storage facilities offer units that come in a variety of sizes. This allows for many different customer needs to be catered for. Also, many self storage facilities offer flexible rental terms, including Cinch Self Storage. This means that if you want to upscale or downscale your unit, you are free to do so, before your rental period has expired. At Cinch Self Storage, you are also free to leave before your rental period has expired. We just need 14 days notice. 

How to Choose the Right Self Storage Facility

When it comes to choosing the right self storage facility, you need to consider several factors. These include:

• • Location – What location works best for you and your needs?
  • Security – Does the facility have good security in place? Do not be afraid to ask about this. It is important. 
  • Unit size options – Does the facility have the right size unit for your needs? If you aren’t sure, talk to the facility team. They will be able to guide you to your perfect unit.
  • Access hours – When do you need to access your unit? Can the facility cater to this need? 
  • Price – What is your budget? You should be clear about this before you begin looking for self storage. 

If you ask yourself or the facility team these questions, you should find the right self storage for you. 

Self Storage Facilities 101

A self storage facility is simply a place in which you can rent a storage unit in order to store your personal or business items. They offer you units that come in a variety of sizes and a variety of types. Before you rent a storage unit, it is important that you consider your needs and ask all the right questions. And don’t be afraid to ask the facility team if you need any help. 

We encourage you to  evaluate your storage needs and consider the benefits of using a self storage facility.

We hope you have found our guide helpful. If you would like to know more about self storage, please click here to find your local store.