Can I Store Books in Self Storage?
When moving time comes, one of the most common items to get packed away is books. Books are a great addition to any home but sometimes there is just no room for a constantly growing collection. That’s why the idea of storing books in self storage is such a common theme.
If you’re wondering if you can safely store books in self storage – the answer is yes! Self storage, especially in a climate controlled environment, is a very feasible way to keep your books handy without cluttering up your living space.
Of course, there are some methods you can use to ensure that your books don’t damage, decay, and lose value over time.
Don’t Overlook Cleanliness
When you are beginning to store your books, don’t assume that grime and dirt won’t effect their longevity. The dirtier your books are going into the box, the more likely they will be to grow mold, meldew, and all sorts of other unpleasantness. Although it may take some time, wiping down your books before storage may be a beneficial practice.
Utilize Quality Storage Containers
You may be tempted to toss your books in bags or average cardboard boxes, but that could lead to problems down the road. First, books in mass can get quite heavy so you want a box that can maintain its integrity over time. Second, a thicker package material can handle inclement weather, moisture, and temperature change better than shabby boxes.
If you have the resources, we highly recommend large plastic/rubber bins (polyethylene primarily). These will last over time and repel moisture. Otherwise, high quality moving boxes should do the trick.
Stack with Gravity
The long, slow pull of gravity will effect your books over time. If you stack them vertically the pages will drift and warp over time. The best bet is laying them flat on their sides and stacking them accordingly.
Label Generously
It’s extremely frustrating having to sort through hundreds of binned books in a vain attempt to find the one particular title you need. Label as much as you can, be it by genre, age, title, or whatever. You’ll thank yourself later for the effort.
Keep the Climate Under Control
When shopping for a storage facility, one of your primary objectives should be to find a climate controlled building. Books store best between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit, especially rare books that are starting to show their age. Don’t let Mother Nature turn your book investments into piles of useless junk.
Let Books Hang Out with Books
You may be inclined to mix other items with your book storage, but it’s best to avoid that if possible. Books are heavy and shifty. If you have something fragile packed with books it may get crunched during transit. Book stack well together, so let book boxes be a book-only hangout.
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We hope these tips have helped you in your self storage journeys! Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have.
What is Mini Self Storage?
If you’re shopping around for self storage you’ve probably encountered a bunch of different terms to describe the actual storage units. You might have heard storage referred to as: self storage, mini self storage, storage lockers, or more.
Although at first glance it would seem that “mini self storage” would be noticeably smaller than other storage means (hence the mini), the truth is it’s all relative.
The different terms for self storage have developed independently and have little influence on each other. One storage facility may refer to all of it’s units as storage bays, while another may use the term mini storage.
In effect, each descriptor is attempting to describe what you commonly see every day at self storage facilities. These are the colored garage-bay-looking units that vary in shape, size, and quality.
Mini storage units can vary widely in size, from 5′x5′ to 10′x30′ and more. Of course, none are as big as airplane hangers so they are all relatively mini.
These kind of units can be either indoor or outdoor, depending on the level of protection the renter requires. Each door also has an independent lock on it, granting the user access to their unit without interfering with any others.
Mini Self Storage tends to be a viable option for individuals who require the following:
- More space in their home
- Added storage for their business
- A temporary holdover space when moving
- A safe location to store non-temperature-sensitive valuables
- And more
If you’re considering renting a mini self storage space, don’t get tripped up by the terminology. Instead, focus on the quality and price structure of the storage facility.
Should I Use Self Storage For Furniture?
One of the most commonly requested items for self storage is furniture. Sometimes when moving about furniture becomes a real burden, especially if you are moving into a smaller home.
Having too much furniture creates a cunundrum – do you sell it off in the hopes of never needing it, or do you attempt to bring it with you and go through the hassle and clutter of moving it?
A finely balanced solution is taking your furniture to a self storage facility.
Most self storage facilities welcome furniture and even include means of accommodating bigger pieces. At DAK, we utilize an on-site supply store to provide things like moving gloves, tie downs, nylon rope, etc etc. Furniture can be tricky to maneuver and you want to optimize your chances of success without causing any damage.
It is highly recommended that if you have valuable or delicate pieces of furniture that you utilize a climate controlled facility. Excessive heat and cold can cause damage to material, especially fine leather.
Utilize a two pronged attack to get the best self storage experience:
1. Properly wrap and stack your furniture so as to avoid damaging shifting during transit and storage.
2. Provide a climate controlled environment to avoid mildew, must, and temperature related damage.
When done properly, self storage can be a life saver for furniture storage needs.
Are Self Storage Units Ever Sold Permanently?
Sometimes customers wonder if they might be able to purchase their self storage unit permanently.
Their goal with this kind of purchase is to save on long term investment, and ultimately be able to sell their space to a follow-up renter.
At almost every public self storage facility, this kind of arrangement is not an option. DAK specifically does not offer this kind of service.
Mixing in permanent ownership of a unit might sound mutually beneficial at first, but it gets very complex quickly. Consider the following:
- Who pays for maintenance and upkeep costs?
- Who decides how many people can use the unit?
- If sold, does the next owner have to pay rental fees?
- Can the original storage facility owner fine the unit owner for improper storage?
These are just some of the considerations that cause complications when it comes to permanent sale.
Long term rental is a better solution because it keeps the roles of facility owner and customer well defined. Each knows what set of rules and responsibilities apply to them.
That all being said – it’s great when a customer comes to trust and appreciate the services of the facility enough to want long term storage!
