Warehouse and self-storage have been linked to each other as the warehouse is considered to be a facility for self-storage. We might have had this notion that self-storage is the same as warehouse or vice versa, so we tend to take them as one. They seem the same because they’re both for storage purposes, but they’re different from one another. They actually have different purposes, depending on the items to be stored and the need for storage space itself.
Warehouse
Warehouse storage is the rental of the whole facility or building that can be used for different purposes deemed necessary, usually practiced by businesses. They are not just small storage units, but they are commercial buildings that are used to store large pieces of equipment to several other products/goods. Business owners opt for this kind of storage to better store all their goods and make room for more equipment.
Self-Storage
While on the other hand self-storage is a service that provides private storage space rental to individuals, households, and even businesses in different accessible areas. There are different cut sized units that can be rented out by customers which they are able to access 24/7 with their own security access.
They are different in terms of:
Purpose
Self-storage has a variety of purposes from personal to business reasons because of its diversified client type. While warehouse storage is usually done by businesses with a massive space requirement.
Location and Accessibility
Warehouse and self-storage are very much different in terms of where they are located and how they are accessible to people. Mostly, warehouses are usually located in far areas or at a bit isolated places that have wider land areas. Accessibility is quite an effort because you need to travel further or have proper transportation just to go there. Unlike warehouse storage, self-storage is purposely located in commercial areas where there are limited spaces for storage, so that different individuals, households, and businesses can conveniently access it.
Storage Space
In terms of storage space, self-storage units are smaller compared to warehouses. Self-storage units can store more than what you can usually store at home and it’s not only a good storage for personal belongings, but it’s also a good storage for small businesses. Since warehouses are used mainly for business purposes, it’s usually the size of a commercial building because large pieces of equipment and a wholesale of goods are being stored here.
What Can Be Stored
Warehouses store large amounts of goods as retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, etc. use them for their business. Not only that, but they also store equipment such as forklifts and cranes to carry and unload large goods. While self-storage can store a certain amount of personal items to some business items depending on the rented storage space size.
Security
In terms of a security, warehouses may not be as secured and monitored compared to self-storage. With warehouses because of its large area and open structure, maintaining security is more challenging. You have to have more security personnel to monitor the place and people coming in and out and more CCTV to capture every corner.
Self-storage, on the other hand, has also a multi-level security system like round-the-clock security guards, CCTVs, personal unique access code that tracks each customer’s ins and outs, and even individual storage unit padlocks. But what minimizes the risks is that it is not an open space that can be accessed by anybody, has enclosed storage units, and an access tracker that makes monitoring and security better and accurate.
Cost
Since warehouses are larger, it’s a given that they are more costly as compared to self-storage. Even the maintenance of the facility and security of the previous one costs more than the latter.
Now, was it made clear the difference between Warehouse Storage and Self-Storage? Let us know how this article helped you identify each and sort out which one is for you.
And if you are in need of self-storage space to rent, we’ll be more than happy to help you. Contact us today!
