A lock is one of the smallest but most important parts of using a self storage unit.
You might supply a lock for your tenant with their rental, either free of charge or as a required charge. Maybe, you require your customers to find their own storage unit locks.
No matter how you handle them, you ultimately expect every single customer to have a lock on their self storage unit by the time they place their items inside. You also probably have your own stock of locks for the purpose of overlocking storage units.
Let’s take a look at the 4 most common storage unit locks in use today.
The lock is the most basic aspect of self storage security.
Tenants store a variety of items in their storage units, some of them expensive and some of them with personal meaning and value. No matter what they store, the act of storing it means it has some value and importance to them.
While your customers aren’t experts on self storage unit locks and self storage security, they expect you to be. And choosing the right lock is even more important than choosing a gate!
Here’s a look at some of the most common self storage locks used across the industry and how they function.
Padlocks may not be the most robust lock on this list, but it’s undeniable that they’ll be the most recognizable.
Padlocks have a rectangular base with a generally U-shaped shackle. The shackle clicks into place, and voila!—the lock is locked.
A key or a combination code might be used to unlock a padlock. However, one problem with a padlock is how simple it is to forcibly enter a door protected only be a padlock.
Due to their highly exposed shackle, bolt cutters are a popular method for removing padlocks. This means it’s easy for you to cut the lock in the case of a storage unit going to auction, but it may also not be quite as effective as some other locks on this list.
Next up, we have disc locks.
Disc locks have a very similar design to padlocks, but there are some innovations that make them arguably more secure and more popular with self storage operators.
The shackle on a disc lock is rounded. This may seem like an arbitrary design choice, but it’s actually a key part of what makes a disc lock a little bit safer! This is because not having any straight bar to cut makes it harder for bolt cutters and other tools to do their job.
In addition to the rounded shackle design, disc locks also only expose a small portion of their shackle, making it difficult for tools to fit.
The term cylinder lock may be less commonly recognized than padlock, but the lock itself is widely familiar.
Cylinder locks are locks with tumbler mechanisms and keyholes. These are housed in a cylinder—hence the name—and are widely viewed as more secure than padlocks and disc locks.
One advantage of a cylinder lock is that there is no exposed shackle for someone to cut through in order to gain access to a storage unit. Instead, forced entry is done by picking the lock or by using heavy-duty tools like power tools.
Picking the lock is a little bit more complicated than cutting through a padlock. And compared to bolt cutters, power tools are a little bit harder to sneak into your facility and use without being noticed. Depending on the type of key, cylinder lock keys are also more difficult to copy than padlock and disc lock keys.
Another advantage of a cylinder lock is how easy it is for self storage operators to replace it when tenants are moving out, ensuring no copied keys even matter!
One final type of lock we’ll touch on is the relatively high-tech Bluetooth lock.
Bluetooth and smart locks are a combination of convenience and security for both the tenant and the self storage operator. These locks work without requiring the physical locking mechanism to be removed or changed out. They’re also a key part of setting up a smart storage unit or smart self storage facility.
For tenants, they can access their storage unit and unlock a Bluetooth storage unit lock using a device such as their smartphone or a FOB. Smart locks that use network technology might incorporate the use of a smartphone app and even GPS location to unlock the storage unit.
When it comes to the benefits for the self storage facility, a Bluetooth/smart lock doesn’t need to be changed out between tenants for security reasons. Access can be digitally removed and granted.
It also means that overlocking can be done remotely and with no additional product—just remove the tenant’s access until they’ve paid their past due amount.
Choosing the right lock for your facility comes down to you and your market.
It’s entirely possible for your market to allow your facility to operate using less expensive alternatives. Some customers could even prefer a more familiar or low-tech locking mechanism.
Alternatively, your market might demand techy solutions and the best security around.
Don’t make a choice based on the glitter of something new! Take the time to determine your needs in terms of budget, operations, and customer preferences.
And if you can, consider consulting a security expert.
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