The history of the storage unit can be traced to ancient times. Historical evidence shows us that storage facilities existed as far back as ancient China. However, the residential storage facilities we know today came about in the 1960s. One of the first storage units in the United States was established by the Collum family in 1958 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Thanks to the success of these early storage facilities, more were built as time went on and demand increased. This gave rise to the development of new residential storage facilities. By 2009, there were already about 58,000 storage facilities owned by 30,235 companies across the United States. There are many people today who are starting their own storage business, as well as many families enjoying the convenience of residential storage units.
Features of Residential Storage
Residential units have some features that differentiate them from other units, such as the absence of windows in the unit. They often feature a roll-up metal door, similar to a one-car garage door, through which the renter or storage operator can access the facility. The facility often has corrugated metal walls, and after a tenancy agreement is signed, there is a provision for the renter to lock the unit.
Many storage facilities offer specially controlled security features like security cameras, electronic gate access, unit door alarms, fire alarm systems, and more. In some residential facilities, biometric thumbprint or hand scanners are utilized in order to make sure that only authorized persons have access. Some residential storage units also offer climate control and upgraded lighting.
The value of a storage unit depends on the number of features it offers. Most business owners include a number of features in their storage facilities in order distinguish them from competitors. These special features do tend to come at a higher cost for the renter. Residential storage units are available also in different sizes. The 10×5 ft unit size is the most popular. Other sizes include 20×20, 15×20, and 10×20.
There’s always a size that will suit any need. However, the cost of the residential storage unit depends on its size as well as the features that are available, such as climate control or outdoor-only storage.
Storage facilities are not only available in the urban areas. There are also storage facilities in most rural areas for those that may need extra space beyond their homes. While not everyone will need a storage unit, here are a few examples of people who may find them useful:
Families that have little space to store their belongings
Families that are renovating their homes and are looking for storage units to park their belongings in order to make space for the renovation work
Families that are still looking for new accommodations
Families that have heirlooms to secure that they do not want store in their homes