The Face Of Self Storage Has Changed

The market for storing our possessions is growing and along with that growth, the design of self storage buildings is changing. Homeowners and businesses are demanding better quality for the protection of their belongings. The construction of these facilities has greatly evolved over the last decade. The industry began in the late 1960s and early 1970s with concrete masonry buildings and garage door access. The building materials have changed in the past few years.

The buildings built today are from a variety of materials. Pre engineered steel can be adapted with a brick veneer or vinyl siding to replace the typical metal siding of the past.

Some of the newest versions of self storage buildings are designed with office or storefront exteriors. Many driving by would not know they are storing facilities. The designs are no longer hidden in industrial areas but are being attractively placed in prominent locations. Some are even being utilized as rented office space.

The long buildings of garage doors are recognized as older facilities. The newer facilities feature spaces that are climate controlled in part or all of the facility. The climate controlled environment protects valuable items from extreme heat and cold and humidity. The interiors are accessed through hallways to protect the customer during poor weather.

The facilities attract not only homeowners but business and professional services as well. Doctors, accountants and lawyers are looking for dry store room space for their records. Sales people of all types want a climate controlled space to store products such as pharmaceuticals or cosmetics.

Investors and local business people are being drawn to growing the market. They are buying the land, constructing the facilities and hiring managers to handle the day to day operations. Some are cashing in by reselling quickly. Before self storage buildings were a mom and pop business where the owner had one or two sites. Now it is considered more an investment type of business. It has caught the eye of the apartment builders and managers who construct the sites and resell to investors.

Many of the new self storage buildings are multistory. These units bring more safety concerns with them. Access to exits need to be easy in case of emergency and sprinkler and alarm systems have to be high quality to protect the customers belongings. The customer can no longer drive up to their unit on the second floor. There is a need for elevators and the challenge will be for the design to facilitate the placement of them.

Typical building components will vary in every geographical location. For instance, coastal areas such as Florida or the Gulf Coast will likely have more reinforced concrete masonry units to withstand high winds. In the northern states pitched roofs are created to shed snow loads. Cold rolled steel interiors or prefabricated light gauge steel truss systems are used.

Premium grade steel is one of the best options in constructing these buildings. It can bear severe wind, snow and rain and withstands high earthquake energy. This material is economical due to its quick erection and small structural overhead costs. No longer hidden in industrial areas and built from cheap low grade materials, the self storage buildings of today are changing. Whatever your style, your storing needs and your geographical preferences are, these buildings are being constructed in a variety of styles and materials designed to meet the growing needs of the consumer.

By: Self-Storage-Owner

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Source : Self Storage Blgo

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