Planning a Successful Move

Typically, a climate-controlled storage unit is more costly to rent than a non-climate-controlled one. For this reason, many people opt for a non-climate-controlled unit, only to find that when they pull their items out of storage several months later, they've been damaged by the elements. Some of the items that require climate-controlled storage might surprise you. Specifically, if you're storing any of these five things, it's worth paying a bit more for a climate-controlled unit.

Musical Instruments

Instruments are not cheap, so you'd never want to risk yours being rendered useless. Stringed instruments like guitars and cellos can be warped by variations in humidity, and brass instruments can begin to weather, with the felt, rubber, and cork in their interiors breaking down if exposed to high heat. Even woodwinds can fall prey to warping and splitting in varied humidity.

Clothing

Clothing can develop mold and mildew if exposed to dampness. Some clothing items might even "stick together" if it gets too hot in the storage unit. Thus, it's best to place clothing that means anything to you in climate-controlled storage.

Printed Photographs

Heat and humidity may render those beloved family photos useless, especially if you store them in a stack. If you're only putting photos in storage for a short period of time and know that the weather is going to be mild during that time, storing them in a non-climate-controlled unit might be okay as long as they're separated by paper. However, if you're storing them for a longer period of time or in the summer, climate control is needed.

Appliances

Years ago, it may have been okay to store appliances like washers, dryers, and ovens in non-climate-controlled units. However, today's appliances feature more sophisticated electronics panels with interior components that may rust and leave the appliance useless if it's exposed to changes in humidity.

Leather Items

It takes very little moisture to make leather mold. Thus, it's always best to store leather in a climate-controlled unit. This includes soft leather like that used for pants and gloves, as well as the harder leather used for furniture.

If you have any of the above items in your collection, paying a little more for the climate-controlled unit  like Colfax West Self Storage is certainly worthwhile. If you skimp and go for the non-climate-controlled unit, you're likely to find yourself spending even more replacing items that end up being damaged. And in the case of photos and family heirlooms, what you lose may not even be replaceable.