When it comes to choosing a self storage unit, one of the hardest decisions beyond the size of the unit is whether or not you need climate control. Since climate-controlled storage units often cost more than their counterparts, many people skip the extra expense under the mistaken impression that the climate control is a luxury and not necessary. In some situations, however, opting for a climate-controlled unit is important. Here are a few things that should always be stored in a regulated environment, not a traditional storage unit.
Certain Types of Furniture
Some types of furniture are more susceptible to damage from the elements than others. Knowing when your furniture needs climate control will help you prolong its life and protect it from damage.
Wood furniture is one of those things. Wood is vulnerable to warping, cracking, and rotting if it's exposed to a lot of moisture. Since climate-controlled units also include humidity control, that makes it a worthwhile investment for your wood furniture. It keeps the moisture level down, minimizing the risk of damage.
Leather furniture should also be placed in climate-controlled environments. Significant temperature changes can cause leather to crack and split. In addition, leather is particularly vulnerable to moisture as well. Exposure to moisture in the air can cause leather to discolor. It's also prone to mildew growth, which can be difficult to get rid of.
Appliances & Electronics
The circuit boards, mechanical parts, and complex electronic configurations inside most household appliances make them a bad fit for traditional storage units. Significant changes in temperature, exposure to extreme heat or cold, and the buildup of moisture can cause these components to crack, rust, and deteriorate. In addition, the condensation that can build up from temperature changes may also cause mold to grow inside the appliances.
The same holds true for other household electronics. Wiring can break due to temperature shifts, rendering electronics unusable. In addition, plasma television screens are highly sensitive to temperature and can crack in extreme weather.
Costly & Delicate Collectibles
If you're a collector of anything such as coins, stamps, or other delicate products, you'll want to make sure that you have a climate-controlled unit to keep them in. For example, exposure to harsh temperatures and humidity can lead to oxidation in coin collections, which will destroy their value. Silver, copper, and similar metals are particularly sensitive to this.
Humidity is also a significant concern for stamp and comic book collections. Stamps should always be stored in an environment that's regulated for consistent temperature and humidity levels. Exposure to humidity and significant temperature changes can cause stamps to curl, stick, and lose value. Comic book pages will wilt in humidity. Particularly with older comic books, the paper isn't designed to hold up to that kind of environment.
Art & Photography
If you collect art, it needs to be carefully protected when it's stored. Whether it's prints stored in rolled tubes or framed art, humidity can be heavily damaging. Not only can it destroy the canvas or print paper, it can also cause the ink or other medium to become sticky, potentially causing irreparable damage to the piece.
Photographs should also be properly preserved and stored. Opt for boxes or containers that are designed specifically to protect against light and other damage, then put them in a storage unit that will moderate both the temperature and the moisture.
Before you invest in any storage unit, consider this information. If you're storing any of these types of items, it's in your best interest to opt for a climate-controlled unit so that you don't face any unnecessary damage. Connect with local storage facilities through resources like http://www.i-70selfstorage.com to see what your options might be.
Share18 July 2017
Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, I was always interested in how business worked. I spent a lot of time in my family's businesses watching the operations and trying to learn how to ultimately work for myself when I got older. Now that I am an adult, I'm still putting time into learning about entrepreneurship, start-ups, and small business management. I know that there are many people who would love to work for themselves but don't know where to start. I hope this site helps you to work through some of the basics and get started with launching your own business.