There is a hoarder inside each of us. We tend to keep many things from seasonal items, furniture, and collectibles to files and documents. Then there comes a time when your garage, shed, or other storage area runs out of space. What do you do then?

The answer is simple. You rent self-storage or a warehouse to accommodate your ever-expanding possessions. As Wikipedia reports, one out of every ten Americans today pays for storage units. Whether they are business runners or use the space to store personal possessions, storage spaces certainly create the desired convenience.

So which storage option should you choose? Self-storage or warehouse? While they do have their own set of benefits, you need to prioritize your needs first. No matter how similar they may seem, they are quite different. Let’s have a look at how these two storage options compare with each other.

Self-Storage vs. Warehouse

• PURPOSE

The primary purpose of both a self-storage unit and a warehouse is the same, storage. While self-storage is a feasible option for everyday items and personal belongings, warehouses are better suited for commercial and industrial storage purposes. They are ideal for businesses and organizations who want to store stock while moving things around. Self storages come in handy when you are moving houses and need a space to store your belongings for a short time.

• ACCESSIBILITY

A warehouse is more like a commercial building that houses goods. However, there are standard warehouses too where you can store your stuff in a common area. The disadvantage of using such storage is that everybody has easy access to your belongings.

Self storage units, on the other hand, offer enclosed spaces with external access. They usually have rolling steel doors with locks so only the customer can access it.

• SECURITY

Both the storage options have sufficient security in place. Although each facility has different security measures in place, security cameras are all in common. Self-storage facilities have reinforced doors, security cameras, and guards. So nobody can breach them without the security catching on.

Warehouses operate differently. Though they also have security cameras and guards, your possessions are in a common area. So not only does everybody have open access to them, there are chances that someone will walk away with your things.

• RENT

Cost-wise, both self-storage and warehouses are different. Though you can rent them both by square feet, their prices vary from area to area. For example, a self-storage facility in a crowded urban vicinity like New York City can cost $3 to $5 per square foot.

Warehouses are comparatively cheaper. Recently we came across an ad offering a secure urban warehouse space for $0.7 per square foot. The prices are comparable, and there is no space restriction in a large facility.

• SIZE AND STORAGE CAPACITY

When we compare their size and storage capacity, ward houses have the upper hand. They usually have 15 to 20 feet high ceilings, making them excellent for storing odd-shaped objects. The storage area is big, so you can easily place your possessions in an orderly fashion. Yet their size and shape do not differ. Each warehouse, more or less, looks the same.

Self-storage spaces function as enclosed units; they come in all shapes and sizes. You can use them to store clothing, seasonal items, documents, and any other valuable items. But because of its smaller size, you really cannot keep odd-shaped equipment inside of them.

• FLEXIBILITY

A warehouse usually stores goods. Transporters, exporters, manufacturers, and retailers use them to stock their products. You will find some automated warehouses, while others employ on-site staff. The staff working there helps load and unload as well as offer packing services. Automated warehouses have automatic conveyors and cranes to store items in an organized way.

Self-storage does not have any staff or automation. Here the customer himself organized his/her belongings in any way he/she wants.

• ADDED BENEFITS

Both the warehouse and self-storage have their benefits. For example, self-storage units have climate control systems in place. You can ask for heat or air conditioning for your goods to keep them safe from deterioration.

Warehouses offer large areas for storage purposes. When you are not using all of that area, you can ask to use it for other purposes. For example, small businesses often use the leftover site for inventory for manufacturing purposes. Some warehouses also offer internet connection and separate manufacturing areas. Additionally, they also have trolleys, forklifts, and sometimes pallet trucks too that the clients can use to move their stuff around.

FINAL WORDS

We often find our homes or business locations overflowing with spare items. These items are not useless but tend to get in the way. The simplest solution to keep them safe is renting a storage area. Self-storage and warehouses both have their pros and cons. But choose how you are going to access and use the stored stuff afterward.