There are plenty of reasons why you may need commercial storage facilities. Perhaps you've got too many things at home that you don't have the heart to throw away, but you don't have the space to keep them as well. Or maybe you're moving and storage space is required temporarily.

Whatever the reason, finding storage facilities that meet all your specifications is not an easy task. Luckily, there's this guide. This article will help you choose the right solution.

The important question is whether you should opt for conventional storage facilities, such as large warehouses, or the more modern self storage buildings. The answer to this is really quite straightforward: unless you're a business that has gigantic storage needs, it makes no sense to opt for traditional warehousing.

Although it is possible to box just a few of your items for storage in a large warehouse, there are several disadvantages. Primarily, such large areas are very public. This means your items aren't exactly very secure, and are likely to get moved around. What's more, you won't have any privacy yourself when you want to deposit, access or retrieve any items from such a place. Not to mention the long waits in queues and vast amounts of paperwork it often involves.

A self storage building on the other hand, has none of these drawbacks. Naturally then, the self storage warehouse is preferable to its larger, more public counterpart. You get more privacy to stash what you like, easier access to your items night or day, and greater security for your possessions.

This is possible since self storage offers each customer their own exclusive unit. These come in all sizes, from anything as big as a large room, to mini storage units as small as a closet. Each unit comes with its own secure door, to which you may provide your own lock.

When choosing self storage facilities, the principal factors to keep in mind are location, security, accessibility and building conditions. The first point is self explanatory, since a facility must be conveniently located to be of much use to you.

Security is not usually a concern, since most facilities are quite well protected. Still, it's essential that you find out what security measures your provider has in place. Accessibility influences how easily you can move things in and out of your unit. If you have lots of heavy items, the ability to park your vehicle or truck right next to your unit may be important.

Finally, it is important that self storage warehouses be in good condition to provide insulation from the elements. This is critical even if you only need mini storage. Any amount of security is of little use if your items are going to get soaked by leaking water, or are exposed to dust, heat or pests.

For delicate valuables like furniture or electronics, consider using storage facilities that offer climate controlled self storage.