Storage Unit – Page 7 – U-Lock Mini Storage

5 Reasons Why Vancouver Businesses Should Rent Storage Units This Holiday Season!

As we enter the holiday season, also known as the shopping season, retailers need to ensure that their logistics are prepared for the surge in shopping.

As we enter the holiday season, also known as the shopping season, retailers need to ensure that their logistics are prepared for the surge in shopping. One major component of ensuring that the logistics process is seamless is making sure that you have sufficient storage space to hold the surplus amount of inventory you have ordered for the holiday season. One easy and economical way to gain access to additional storage is by renting a storage unit. Here are six reasons why Vancouver businesses should rent storage units this holiday season.

Make Room For Promotional Items

If you have ordered more stock for items you want to promote this holiday season or you want to make more room for holiday-specific promotional products or services, you can rent a storage unit and place items that you do not need to showcase during the holiday season. This will help clear the space needed for your holiday products and services.

If you do not have a tremendous amount of inventory that you want to store, you can rent a smaller unit such as the 5×5 feet storage unit which is equivalent to a regular closet. If you have more items to store and need a bigger space, there is also a 5×10 feet storage unit available. This storage unit size is equivalent to a walk-in closet.

Secure Your Inventory

While you can store some items at the back of your store, it may not be ideal if your store is not particularly secure. Having your store broken into and inventory stolen during the busy holiday sales season is definitely something you want to avoid. By storing your inventory in a storage unit, you are guaranteeing that your inventory is safely stored in a highly secured storage facility.

At U-Lock Mini Storage Burnaby location, our storage facility is monitored 24 hours a day using digital surveillance. Additionally, we offer storage units that have individual alarms installed, which means that an alarm will be triggered when a trespasser attempts to break into a storage unit.

To further enhance the security of the perimeter, we give each renter a unique access code that they must dial to enter the storage facility and unlock their self-storage unit. Each renter also must enter their unique access code to lock their storage unit and exit the building. This mandatory procedure lets the storage facility keep track of who goes in and out, thus preventing trespassers from entering the storage facility. Compared to storing inventory in a shed, in a backyard or in a garage, storing your inventory in a storage unit is exponentially safer and more secure.

More Affordable Than A Warehouse

We have a variety of storage unit sizes for you to select from and you can select a size that fits your inventory needs. We offer storage unit sizes from anywhere between 5×5 feet to 10×30 feet and our rates start at only $73 per month.

Renting a storage unit to hold your inventory is a more cost-effective solution than using a warehouse because you can rent a storage unit based on your inventory size and budget, and because you always have the flexibility to switch to a smaller or bigger unit. If you have a lot of inventory at the beginning of the holiday season and your inventory is slowly depleting as you approach January or February, you can start with a larger unit size such as 10×10 feet and move down to 5×10 feet.

Month-to-Month Contract With No Long-Term Commitment

As mentioned above, you always have the flexibility to switch to a bigger or smaller storage unit according to your needs because storage facilities, such as U-Lock Mini Storage, do not require monthly contracts. This autonomy lets you switch between different unit sizes from one month to the next. For example, if your inventory is running low towards the beginning of the year and you do not plan on ordering a large number of products to replenish your inventory, you can downsize to a smaller unit.

Convenient Accessibility

To accommodate our customers’ schedules, we offer increased operating hours. You can have access from 6 am to 9 pm, 7 days a week, all year long. Please check your local U-Lock Mini Storage facility for extended hours!

How to Clean Out a Storage Unit

Do you need to declutter your storage unit to make room for additional items? These steps will show you how to declutter a storage unit and filter through unwanted belongings quickly and easily!

1. Take an inventory rundown of your storage unit items

The first thing you should do is scan the unit and take an immediate inventory of what is inside. Jot down all the items so you can gain a good idea of which items you should keep and which to get rid of.

2. Sort items into categories: keep, sell/donate, store, or toss

The Four-Box Declutter Method is an effective approach to sort through and declutter spaces. The concept behind this technique is sorting all your items into four empty boxes: keep, toss, donate/sell, and store.

The keep box includes items you can remove from your storage unit and bring home.
The store box contains things that will stay in storage.
The sell or donate box is for items you plan to sell or donate.
The last box is a toss box, which will include anything that is broken beyond repair.

3. Seek Resources

Once you have sorted and categorized all the items, count the number of boxes you will roughly need. Then, determine if you need extra help with the move. Defining the amount of resources you need helps you plan ahead to ensure that you have everything you need for a successful decluttering session!

4. Estimate the time for the decluttering

To lessen the chances of being overwhelmed, it is essential to prepare yourself for what is to come. Pick a time to do the actual clean out and come equipped with moving supplies, garbage bags, labels, and sorting totes.

Things to consider when decluttering:

How much time do you need? Overestimate here. You may need more than one day to declutter your storage unit thoroughly. Plan accordingly so you have all the time you need and more to dedicate to the job.
How many people do I realistically need? It may be helpful to have more than one person on hand. Ask for help in advance and be sure to have all the support and extra muscle you need.
Do I have an emotional attachment to any of the items? Remember that cleaning out sentimental items can be an overwhelming process. This response is natural, so do not beat yourself up if you become emotional if you are dealing with an inherited storage unit, or a unit used to store items from a loved one.

5. Set up the order for moving the items

To help you move your items efficiently, consider using the following steps:

First, remove all the trash from the unit. If you have way too much waste for the dumpster on-site, proceed to step seven.
For donation items, contact a local thrift store to schedule a free pickup. A dumpster should be your last option for things that can still be used or repurposed. If there are only a few donation items, load those into your car and drop them off at a donation site.
Next, load your vehicle. Pack all the items that are going back home with you, including things you’re keeping or putting into storage.
Lastly, move all the ‘sell’ items to a location for further processing. You could keep them in the storage unit if you have time left in your rental or move them somewhere offsite. You can sell each item individually through popular online websites such as Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.

7. Hire a junk removal company if necessary

Numerous companies can help you get rid of storage unit contents without you needing to lift a finger. Hiring someone is especially useful if you do not have anyone else to help you or if you cannot declutter your storage unit yourself.

How to Select the Best Storage Unit Size for Your Needs

What storage unit size should I rent? The answer to this question depends heavily on your needs, since storage units come in various sizes and features. Factors such as the intended use, the number and types of items you want to store, and availability of units also influence your decision of finding a storage unit that is best suited for you.

Here are 4 useful tips to select the best storage unit for you!

1. Determine the storage unit’s primary function

To select a storage unit that best suits you, the first step is defining the main function of the storage unit. For example, are you renting a storage unit so you can declutter your home for staging? Are you moving abroad for 12 months and are looking for a long-term rental? These are fantastic questions to ask yourself to get yourself started on finding a suitable storage unit.

Other relevant questions you can ask yourself are:

Am I looking to store business inventory for the next three to six months?
Is it likely that I’ll need extra space six months down the road?
Do I need temporary storage for a move or home staging?
Do I need to store some items indefinitely?
Will I be rotating items in and out of the unit?

By clearly answering some of these questions, you will have a better idea of the storage unit size you should seek. For example, if you plan to store business inventory for the long-run and are expecting to store more items in the future, you can rent a larger unit with some room to grow.

On the other hand, if you only need to store items during a temporary move, you can pick a unit that is suitable for your belongings. Since the amount of items in your storage unit is unlikely to change, you will not need to rent a storage unit that has excess room.

2. Create an inventory list

You may have a general idea of which items you want to store in the storage unit, but walking through your house and developing a list is the ideal way to clearly identify items you want to store.

Sometimes you may not even realize how many items you need to store until you list them all.

When making your inventory list, remember to also do the following:

Count the number of items that will go into storage.
Get approximate measurements of your items to calculate the amount of space you need.
Place all the items you want to store in one location at your home to visualize and measure the amount of space you need.

3. Measure the Amount of Storage Space You Need

If you have a hard time conceptualizing space, you can try this trick: in your driveway or another open area, use masking tape to mark off the space of an approximate size of a storage unit you need. For example, you can mark off 5 feet by 5 feet or 5 feet by 7 feet. Then, place items you want to store inside to see if all the items fit in the marked area.

4. When in Doubt, Rent a Large Unit Size

Being more economically conservative by selecting a storage unit that is smaller than you need is not always a good idea for safety reasons. For example, you should avoid packing boxes more than four feet high. Also, you should avoid stacking more than two pieces of furniture. Doing so could result in damage to your belongings or become a hazard when unpacking.

Additionally, take note that sometimes a larger-sized unit is only a couple more dollars a month. In some cases, a larger unit might be less expensive if there is more availability. You could also save money on a larger storage unit if the rental is not climate controlled. Do not let the larger size deter you before you have a chance to run the numbers.

Questions? Feel free to call us at 1.866.647.8673 or contact us online at https://www.selfstorage.ca/contact-us and our staff will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have!

Looking to reserve a storage unit? Find a self storage facility near you:

Small Business Inventory Management: Tools and Tips for This Holiday Season

Managing business inventory for your small business requires a tremendous amount of detail. Business owners have to keep track of incoming inventory, current inventory, and processed inventory. If the inventory is not tracked diligently, the unorganized inventory will become a bookkeeping and inventory management disaster.

To help you better manage your business inventory, here are four tips you can use.

1. Store Old Inventory In a Heat-Controlled Storage Unit

Once the new season arrives, it is time to store your old inventory and make room in your store to display the new inventory!

If you are running out of space in your store or if you do not have a secure perimeter, rent a heat-controlled storage unit.

By renting a climate-controlled storage unit, you will be able to:

Protect items from extreme heat, cold, or humidity. A heat-controlled storage unit continuously circulates the air which keeps the air in the storage unit clean. This efficient circulation of air prevents your stored items from being exposed to harmful levels of humidity and dryness, which could potentially cause damage.
Manage humidity control level. This control is critical in preserving your items in good condition because your items may warp or decay if there is too much humidity in the air. By storing your items in a heat-controlled storage unit, you will keep your belongings in a space with approximately 55% base humidity.
Protect items from pests. Dissimilar to outdoor storage units that are not completely sealed, indoor climate-controlled storage units are fully sealed, which prevents unwanted guests, such as bugs, rodents, or moths, from invading your storage and damaging your items.
Protect items from debris. Heat-controlled storage units are located deep within a storage facility and have sealed and insulated roofs, walls, and floors. This robust sealing helps prevent dust and debris from entering your climate-controlled unit.

2. Keep Track of Your Low-Turn Stock

Low-turn stock is a product that has not sold in the last 6 to 12 months. It is a good business strategy to store a low-turn product and make space for your top sellers. For example, if you have some winter coats that are not selling well, you can store the coats in a storage unit to make space for other items. To promote the winter coats, you can use digital marketing approaches such as sending out email campaigns or promoting them through social media or your eCommerce website so your customers can purchase them online.

In addition, you can store these coats for the next short while in a storage unit and bring them out again when it is autumn or winter season and you can promote the coat actively through heavy discounts or promotions.

Using this approach helps your business greatly reduce the amount of wasted space in your store.

3. Use Inventory Management Apps

There are a number of inventory management apps you can use to better manage the flow of your inventory.

Inventory management software is one of the best ways to improve how you manage your small business inventory. There are many software options that can help small businesses digitize their inventory in a way that helps them keep track of it, forecast demand, and analyze inventory from various devices like your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Some management apps for you to choose from include:

Zoho

TopShelf Inventory Management Software

Inventory Now

4. Audit Your Inventory Regularly For Quality Control

Finally, you never, ever, want to forget about quality control. No matter what you sell, you want to make sure that your product looks good, works right, and does what it is supposed to do. Some businesses have a person in charge of quality control, while others have a team that does quick checks during stock audits or when the stock is coming in, to check for damages and other issues.

When your product is of the highest quality, it shows your customers that you care about what your business produces. This also helps with inventory management by filtering products to ensure that your shelves are stocked with only the best products at all times.

When you find products that have minor flaws, you can store them in a storage unit and sell them online at a discount rate, letting your customers know about the flaws. That way, broken, faulty, or aesthetically displeasing products will not clutter your storeroom, giving your best products the spotlight they deserve. Taking this approach lets you create space for higher value products in your store and sell products of the best quality.

Questions? Feel free to call us at 1.866.647.8673 or contact us online at https://www.selfstorage.ca/contact-us and our staff will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have!

Looking to reserve a storage unit? Find a self storage facility near you:

How Mini Storage Helps eCommerce Businesses Succeed

As more retail stores and small or home-based businesses are using eCommerce to sell their products, finding a suitable and sizable storage space to store inventory is a priority. An easy and cost-efficient approach to store your inventory is by using a storage unit. By renting a storage unit, you can select a unit size based on your inventory needs, budget, and take advantage of many key benefits. Here are the top five reasons why eCommerce businesses should rent a self storage unit.

More cost-effective than warehouses

If you have recently launched your own eCommerce business and do not have a lot of products in your inventory yet, starting off with a smaller-sized storage unit will be a fantastic way to get your eCommerce going! We have a wide variety of storage unit sizes for you to choose from. We recommend starting with a 10×10 feet storage unit; it is equivalent to half of a one-car garage which gives you sufficient space for a smaller amount of products.

If you need more space, you can rent a 10×15 feet storage unit, which is equivalent to roughly two-thirds of a one-car garage. We also have bigger storage units available – as large as 13×23 feet.

Renting a storage unit to hold your inventory is a more cost-effective way than using a warehouse because you can rent a storage based on your inventory size and budget, and you always have the flexibility to switch to a smaller or bigger unit. If you are selling at a high volume and your inventory is depleting, you can change your storage unit to a smaller unit to adapt to your new needs.

No Monthly Contract = More Flexibility

Heat-controlled storage units available

Storing items in a heat-controlled storage unit prevents your belongings from being damaged from humidity or extreme heat.

Humidity control is vital in preserving stored items in optimal conditions. When there is excessive humidity in the air, some products may warp or decay. Heat-controlled storage units ensure that the humidity level in a storage unit is around 55% base humidity. Excess moisture is removed using air conditioning.

In addition to ensuring a healthy humidity level, a heat controlled-storage unit also makes sure that the stored items are not in an extremely hot and dry condition. Some items can suffer from warping, splitting, or cracking in extreme heat. To prevent this, a heat controlled-storage unit uses air conditioning to pump and circulate fresh air into the storage.

A heat-controlled storage unit is also ideal to deter debris, dust, and pest infestation. Heat-controlled storage units are completely sealed and secured, and are located deep in a storage facility which prevents debris, dust, rodents, and other unwanted guests from entering the storage units and damaging your products.

Enhanced Security

Storage units are an excellent place to store valuable items due to their incredible security measures.

Our storage facilities are monitored 24 hours a day using digital surveillance. Additionally, we offer storage units that have individual alarms installed, which means that an alarm will be triggered when a trespasser attempts to break into a storage unit.

To further enhance the security of the perimeter, we give each renter a unique access code that they must dial to enter the storage facility and unlock their self-storage unit. Each renter also must enter their unique access code to lock their storage unit and exit the building. This mandatory procedure lets the storage facility keep track of who goes in and out, thus preventing trespassers from entering the storage facility. Compared to storing inventory in a shed in a backyard or in a garage, storing your inventory in a storage unit is exponentially safer and more secure.

Convenient accessibility

To accommodate our customers’ schedules, we offer increased operating hours. You can have access from 6 am to 9 pm, 7 days a week, all year long. Please check your location U-Lock Mini Storage facility for extended hours!

Questions? Feel free to call us at 1.866.647.8673 or contact us online at https://www.selfstorage.ca/contact-us and our staff will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have!

Looking to reserve a storage unit? Find a self storage facility near you:

5 Tips for Maximizing Space In Your Storage Unit

Need to rent a storage unit for your belongings? A storage unit is an excellent solution to keep your items safe between moves, store your excess business inventory, or to free up more space in your home or office. If you’re renting a storage unit for the first time, you may be asking yourself, “what size storage unit do I need?” or “how can I best pack my storage unit to save the most money?” To help you utilize your space to the fullest, here are a few essential tips to help you organize your storage unit like a pro:

1. Create an aisle

If you intend to access your items in storage frequently, create a path down the center of your storage unit so that you will have easy access to all your belongings. Leave enough space for you to comfortably take out a box and sift through its contents when you need to. Organize your space by placing items along the walls. Not only will this help maximize space, but it will help save you a lot of time in the future when you’re looking for items inside your unit as it will allow you to move more easily without having to move items around.

2. Store larger items at the back of your storage unit

As you begin packing your storage unit, place your larger, heavier items towards the back of your storage unit. This includes items such as furniture, dressers, and household appliances. Get creative and utilize hollow space by storing small or fragile items inside drawers or wardrobe pieces. Items that you will need access regularly should be placed near the front of your unit to provide you with easy access anytime.

3. Utilize shelves and boxes

Are you using your storage unit as a long-term storage solution? Consider placing free-standing utility shelves at the back or sides of your storage unit. Shelving will help save you a lot of space as it will allow you to store small to medium boxes vertically rather than just storing your items on the ground. Shelving is great for storing and organizing items such as tools, holiday decorations, business documents, and electronics.

Don’t need your storage unit short-term? Consider storing your belongings inside moving boxes or clear plastic totes and stacking them vertically inside your storage unit. Stack larger, heavier boxes down first, and then place your lighter boxes at the top.

4. Disassemble your furniture

Large furniture items can take up a lot of space and leave you with awkward, open gaps in your storage unit, which can be a challenge to fill. While taking apart your furniture sounds like a lot of work, it can help you maximize your space by allowing you to organize and fill your storage unit more efficiently. Disassembling large furniture items such as dining sets, desks, or beds before placing them in storage is a great way to free up more space inside your storage unit. Vertically store disassembled bed frames, headboards, furniture, and table legs upright and on the sides so you can open up more floor space for your other belongings.

5. Purge or donate what you don’t need

Regularly decluttering your storage unit is one of the best ways you can maximize your space and savings. The easiest way to free up space is to get rid of items you don’t need or are unlikely to ever use again. While it can be tempting to hold onto keepsakes or “just in case” items, you’re wasting valuable time, space, and money by storing them inside your storage unit. If you have items in storage you are unlikely to ever take out and put into your home, then consider selling or donating them instead.

Storage units on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland

Have questions? Feel free to call us at 1.866.647.8673 or contact us online and our storage specialists would be happy to answer any storage questions you may have! Let us know what you’re looking to store and how long for, and we’d be happy to guide you towards the right storage solution to fit your personal and business needs.

Need to reserve a storage unit?

Find a U-Lock self storage facility near you:

Key Benefits of Heat-Controlled Storage Unit Explained in 8 Questions

What is a heat-controlled storage unit? What does it do? What are its benefits? These are common questions customers have about heat-controlled storage units. We are here to ready them today by answering the following seven questions!

What are the key benefits of using a heat-controlled storage unit?

Heat-controlled storage units protect more delicate belongings from damage from extreme heat, cold, or humidity by keeping the temperature in the storage between 11 to 13 degrees. Moreover, a heat-controlled storage unit is not sealed the same way a normal indoor storage unit is. A heat-controlled storage facility continuously circulates the air which keeps the air in the storage unit clean. This means you will not need to open your unit just to get some fresh air inside. The efficient circulation of air prevents items stored in a heat-controlled storage from being exposed to unhealthy levels of humidity and dryness which could potentially damage the items.

What kind of items would benefit from being stored in a heat-controlled storage?

Essentially, any item that is delicate and is prone to damage from humidity or extreme heat. The items include:

Wood furniture, upholstered furniture – especially antiques
Fine art
Mattresses
Musical instruments
Books, notebooks, and magazines
Business records and important documents
Electronics
Vinyl records

How Does a Heat-Controlled Storage Unit Control Humidity?

Humidity control is critical in preserving the conditions of stored items. If there is too much humidity in the air, items may warp or decay. By storing your items in a heat-controlled storage unit, you will keep your belongings in a space with approximately 55% base humidity.

Removing excess moisture in the air is not the only key benefit of using a heat-controlled storage unit; you can also ensure that your stored items are not exposed to extremely dry conditions. Some items such as musical instruments craze, dry out, or splinter in dry conditions. A heat-controlled storage unit ensures there is fresh air circulating, which keeps the stored items in good condition all year round.

Does a Heat-Controlled Storage Unit Prevent Pests?

They sure do! Unlike outdoor storage units that are not sealed well enough to keep out unwanted guests such as bugs, rodents, gnats, or moths, indoor heat-controlled storage units are completely sealed. This prevents unwanted guests from invading your storage unit and damaging your items, since rodent or insect infestations may cause your belongings to become contaminated by feces or dander. Yikes!

How Does a Heat-Controlled Unit Protect Electronics?

The high humidity from weather conditions can create moisture on the electrical wiring of electronics and appliances. This moisture can cause severe damage to the wires in refrigerators, televisions, or stereos, to name a few, rendering the devices unusable.

Does a Heat-Controlled Storage Unit Protect Belongings From Weather-Induced Incidents?

Heat-controlled storage units are located deep in a protected storage facility, which makes the storage units less susceptible to weather-induced incidents, such as flooding or leaks. Outdoor storage units on the other hand are more prone to such incidents that might cause damage to your belongings.

Does a Heat-Controlled Storage Unit Prevent Mold?

In extreme and unregulated temperatures and humidity levels, both delicate and not-so-delicate items in a storage unit may become damp, leading to mold growth. Once mold begins to grow on fibres, such as fabric and paper, it is very difficult to remove it. The mold leaves a stain on the material and creates an odd smell and might be harmful to breathe. Fortunately, with proper heat control in your storage, you can avoid mold growth on your possessions.

Questions? Feel free to call us at 1.866.647.8673 or contact us online at https://www.selfstorage.ca/contact-us and our staff will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have!

Looking to reserve a storage unit? Find a self storage facility near you:

Storage Unit: Do You Really Need It? This Will Help You Decide

Renting a storage unit is an excellent way to declutter your office or home, or to protect your valued belongings. While there are a myriad of benefits for renting a mini storage, some customers are still on the fence about whether they should rent a storage unit.

If you are having some hard time determining whether you should rent a self storage, you can use the following questions as guides to evaluate whether a storage unit is suitable for you.

Are You Moving or Selling Your Home?

If you are moving or selling your home, we highly recommend that you rent a storage unit to declutter your home, protect your belongings, or store items that you do not plan to move to your new home.

If you are staging your home, like many other homeowners do to beautify their homes and make them more appealing to potential buyers, you can rent a storage unit to ensure that there is enough space for home staging decor to be placed in your home. Additionally, renting a storage unit allows you to store unwanted items such as old furniture or hockey sticks, and keep them out of sight while staging your home for an open house or a photoshoot.

If you plan to move to a new property shortly after selling your home, you can store items that you will not be moving to the new place. For example, if you are downsizing to an apartment from a detached home and do not have enough space in your new home to store items such as a bicycle, hockey net, or other belongings, you can store them at a self storage unit during the open house period so you can get a head start on packing for your move.

If you are planning to keep these items in the storage unit for a long period of time, you can reserve a climate-controlled storage unit so more delicate belongings are not exposed to damage from extreme heat, cold, or humidity.

Items that should be stored in a climate-controlled storage unit include:

Antiques
Cosmetics & Toiletries
Art & Collectibles
Goods and Furniture made of leather
Paperwork/documents
Electronics
Media (e.g. CDs, DVDs, and cassette tapes)
Photographs and Film
Bicycles
Musical Instruments

Are You Renovating Your Home?

Similar to moving or selling your home, renovating your home would also be a good time to rent a storage unit to make your home more spacious or protect your belongings. Renting a storage unit can help keep items out of the way for home renovators to work more freely. Renting a storage unit can also help prevent your belongings from being damaged during the renovation process.

Home renovations typically last anywhere between one to three months and you can reserve a storage unit for the duration of the home renovation – however long it may be. This makes renting a storage unit incredibly cost-effective. At U-Lock Self Storage, we offer month-to-month no commitment contracts to provide you with the financial flexibility you need for renting a storage unit.

Do You Need to Store Important Documents at a Secure Location?

Storage units are an excellent place to store important documents because storage facilities are highly secure and gated. All of our storage facilities are monitored 24 hours a day using digital surveillance. Each storage has an individual alarm installed; any trespasser who attempts to break in a storage will trigger the alarm and security or law enforcement will promptly remedy the problem.

Moreover, each renter is given a unique access code that they must use to enter the perimeter and unlock their storage unit. Each renter is also required to enter their access code when they exit the building and lock their storage unit. This protocol allows the storage facility to track who comes in and out of the building, and prevent trespassers from entering the perimeter, making the storage facility tremendously secure.

Do You Need Extra Space At Your Home, Office, or Store?

We know – it is terribly easy to create a stack load of paperwork, inventory, or equipment at your office, retail store, or warehouse. This is where a storage unit can help; you can store products, equipment, or inventory that you do not want laying around your working area.

For example, if you have summer fashion items that you have not cleared this year, you can store them at a storage unit and bring them out next summer if they are still in style.

Do You Have a Secure Place to Store Your Vehicle?

It is not easy to find a safe location in Greater Vancouver or on Vancouver Island to securely store a vehicle. With the number of auto break-ins on the rise, car owners are looking for new places to store their cars when they are out of town. A car or auto storage is the perfect solution for this problem. By renting a car storage at our Vancouver / Burnaby self storage location, you can store your vehicle at a gated, alarmed, access-controlled facility that is monitored via random patrol services as well as by our 24/7 digital video recording system. This robust security system will keep your vehicle safe and sound while you are away!

Questions? Feel free to call us at 1.866.647.8673 or contact us online at https://www.selfstorage.ca/contact-us and our staff will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have!

Looking to reserve a storage unit? Find a self storage facility near you:

4 Items You Should Store In Heated Storage Units

Have you been searching for “storage rooms near me,” but can’t decide between renting an unheated storage unit or a heated storage unit? A self-storage unit can come in handy when you’re renovating your home, getting ready for a big move, or just need some extra space in your home or office. If you’re looking for local storage units to store your belongings during the BC winter months, a storage unit that keeps your items warm and dry may be the storage solution you need. While some low-maintenance items or boxes may not be affected by temperature, there are a few items in your home that may be susceptible to damage from the extreme cold, wet and heavy precipitation of the winters we experience here in British Columbia. To help you decide which of your items would be ideal for heated storage, we’ve compiled a list below of a few items that you should always store in a heated storage unit:

What is Heated Storage?

When you live in a climate that experiences drastic temperature changes, you want to make sure your items will be protected from the damaging effects of extreme cold and moisture. When it’s cold outside, heated storage units maintain a warm, dry and safe environment for your belongings. If you need to store goods for several months, a year, or longer, heated storage will provide a safe environment that will maintain an ideal temperature throughout the winter months, preventing your sensitive items from freezing and becoming damaged.

Items That Require Heated Storage:

Furniture

If you want to ensure your valuable or antique wood furniture pieces stay safe from moisture or extremely cold temperatures, opt for heated storage. When moisture gets into the wood, it can cause the wood to permanently warp, crack, or even rot. If you need to store your wood furniture while you’re waiting to move into your new house or clearing out that spare bedroom for a new home office, a heated storage unit will provide a stable environment that will prevent the wood in your dressers, bed frames, and tables and chairs from expanding or contracting as the temperatures rise and fall during the winter months.

The same goes for leather furniture. Leather is extremely sensitive to fluctuations in humidity and moisture, which can cause the leather to shrink, thin out, become discoloured, and be susceptible to mould and mildew. Keep your leather recliners, couches, and furniture pieces preserved by storing them in an indoor or outdoor heated storage unit that maintains a stable temperature and has circulated air.

Clothing

It’s official, summer is almost over, which means it’s time to put your summer wardrobe away and make room in your closet and drawers for winter jackets, sweaters, and scarves. If you want your summer clothing to look, feel and fit the same when you pull them out of storage, then consider a heated storage unit so your clothes are kept clean, dry, and protected from the outside elements. Don’t use plastic bags to store your clothing as plastic can trap moisture, which can lead to mould and mildew. Instead, hang your clothing in a wardrobe box, use plastic totes, and don’t forget to rotate and refold your clothing once a year to prevent permanent creasing.

Important Paperwork & Business Documents

Paper, including photographs, can disintegrate, degrade, and become illegible. If you have sensitive or important business documents you need to store for long periods, it’s important to search for storage facilities that have the heated storage amenities that will protect and preserve your paperwork. By keeping your documents in a stable and controlled environment, you can have peace of mind that your business papers won’t get damaged over time. For added peace of mind, search for local indoor storage rooms that have individually alarmed doors, video surveillance, and storage facilities with passcode protected entry.

Electronics & Household Appliances

Whether you’re storing computers or video game consoles, flat-screen TVs, audio equipment, or household appliances, we all know that water and electronics do not mix. In the winter, cold temperatures can wreak havoc on electronics such as laptops and tablets, gaming devices or home appliances by damaging the batteries inside, exposing electronic components and mechanical parts to moisture buildup, and causing your electronics to crack or rust, rendering them useless. Instead, keep your electronics preserved inside a heated storage unit. Add another layer of protection around large electronics by wrapping computer monitors and flat-screen TVs with moving blankets or blankets from your home.

Looking for heated storage units on Vancouver Island or the Lower Mainland?

Still not sure exactly what type of storage unit you need? Instead of trying to search for “storage rooms near me,” talk to a storage specialist at your nearest U-Lock storage facility location. Let us know what you’re looking to store and how long for, and we’d be happy to guide you towards the right storage solution to fit your personal and business needs. With a range of affordable self-storage options available, including exterior and interior heated storage units, there’s always a space for you at U-Lock Mini Storage.

5 Reasons Why You Should Rent A Storage Unit When Selling Your Home!

As businesses are re-opening and consumers are more actively shopping or searching for products or services to purchase, the real estate market is also picking up. More homeowners are selling their homes and more home shoppers are looking for a new home!

Homeowners should definitely consider renting storage units when they are trying to sell their homes, since storage units can help declutter and organize your belongings, making it easier to move, and even providing extra storage after you have sold your home. Here are top five reasons why you should rent a storage unit when you are selling your home:

Declutter your home for real estate photography or videography

Producing exceptional photos or videos to sell homes is a necessity in today’s digital age. Sellers or realtors need to showcase their homes’ exteriors and interiors in photos or 360° walkaround videos for real estate listings so buyers can get a good view of the homes they are interested in. To get the best photos or videos of sellers’ homes, it is recommended that the sellers declutter and organize their homes by moving non-essential belongings to storage units. If you are using home decor, or staging your home, you can also store items that you do not want to showcase in photos or videos. This way, you can improve the presentability and increase the saleability of your home.

Declutter your home for an open house

In addition to making your home more presentable for real estate photos or videos, you can also rent a storage unit to make your home more presentable for an open house. If you are staging your home or using special home decor, you can store items such as old bicycles or furniture at a storage unit to make space for staging items. Even if you are not staging your home, you can still store your belongings at a storage unit and make your home look more presentable, open, and spacious, and thus increase its saleability as well.

Keep your backyard or garage organized

If you have a backyard or garage full of kids’ hockey sticks, toys, sports equipment, yard equipment, tools, grills, patio furniture and everything else in between, you can rent a storage unit to store these items and to keep your backyard or garage tidy. After all, you want to make your home as tidy and presentable as possible to help your potential buyer visualize the space, comfort, and opportunities your property has to offer.

Protect your valuable belongings

To protect your belongings during an open house, we recommend renting a storage unit to store your valuables temporarily. A 5 x 5 feet storage unit will suffice for most of your needs.

Make it easier when you move

After you sell your home, you will likely move to a new place. If there are some items you do not want to bring to your new home right away, you can store them during the open house period or when you are getting real estate photos or videos, and you can keep the items in the storage unit indefinitely until you need to bring them into your new home. This will make moving into your new home much easier because there will be fewer items to move!

Questions? Feel free to call us at 1.866.647.8673 or contact us online at https://www.selfstorage.ca/contact-us and our staff will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have!

Looking to reserve a storage unit? Find a self storage facility near you: