This is a common question that we often get asked. 
If I already have my own loft, why would I not want to use this space for storage? Why would I want to fork out money on a storage unit? Honestly, these are all good questions. For certain people, their loft may be the ideal solution for storage. Yet there are many things which make a loft an impractical, difficult or even dangerous area to use for storage. In this article by Blue Box Storage, we will give you a few of the reasons why a loft is not a better option in comparison to self-storage.
1. Space
In most cases, lofts are somewhat small. Unless your home is a mansion (whereby storage spaces is already not an issue to you), the loft in your home is usually close in size to the house’s footprint. It also probably features beams and eaves, which limit the height of the liveable space. Yet this room is the ideal space for storing a couple of smaller items that are cluttering up your home and they are still accessible if and when needed. This can include items such as family keepsakes, suitcases, photographs and Christmas decorations.
Yet if you need to store larger items such as furniture, big boxes or a sofa, getting these items up your ladder and then through the loft hatch might not be very convenient. This is when a self-storage unit is a more sensible option. These units are convenient, simple and come in a range of sizes, to store bulky and big items.
2. Security
No-one would like to think that their house would ever become the target for a robbery, yet realistically these things do happen. If you are storing keepsakes of value in your loft they can be taken from you. Yet if you decide to keep them in a secure self-storage unit, you have peace of mind that your belongings are safe. These facilities are usually protected by CCTV systems and you will have your own lock (you are the only one who will have the key), security codes, alarms, and more. This keeps your items far more secure than they are in your own home.
3. Protection
Beyond security measures that are more obvious, there are other ways in which the self-storage units offer more protection for your items when compared to your loft space. For example, if the roof over your home suffered any damages, any items stored in the loft space may become damaged due to weather or falling debris. Most houses also have hot-water tanks or boilers installed inside the loft. If one of these appliances started leaking, those valued items would get wet within seconds.
Other problematic issues include smoke damage caused from a domestic fire, pest damage and rodents, or even accidental damages caused by tripping over the items stored in your loft. The self-storage unit does away with all these risks. Perishables and food cannot be stored in these units so you won’t have to worry about a pest invasion, while most facilities use smoke and fire detection systems to make sure your items are protected.
4. Extra Help
When you decide to store items in your loft, it generally requires the help of at least one other person in order to get your items either out or into the loft. On the other hand, a self-storage unit offers the benefit of staff members that can assist you in loading up trolleys, moving items into your unit or even help with getting moved out or in when you need it. You can also access the unit when you need it, without the hassle of going down and up a ladder in order to do so.
