Garage Storage vs. Warehouse Storage in Arlington & Fairfax, VA
You have some furniture or a few boxes to store, why not put them in the garage? It’s right there, and it’s already paid for. But before you start stacking boxes between the lawnmower and your kid’s bikes, you’ll want to consider Northern Virginia’s climate.
At Georgetown Moving and Storage, we’ve been providing secure storage independently or as part of a move for more than 20 years. We help everyone, whether you’re renovating and need a place for a couple of months or if you’re looking for long-term storage while you’re deployed or settling an estate.
What’s the Difference Between Garage Storage and Warehouse Storage?
You can keep your stuff in your garage, and many people do. You can also use a garage-style unit, which is a do-it-yourself storage option. You load the truck (or hire movers just for that), drive to the unit, stack your boxes, lock the door, and leave. Some spaces are insulated, climate-controlled, and/or monitored, but you’re managing the labor and organization yourself.
Warehouse storage takes away a lot of the stress and hassle, and puts the labor and organization in the hands of professionals. It is a full-service option where a professional crew:
- Picks up your belongings
- Creates a detailed inventory
- Transports everything to a secure, climate-controlled storage facility
- Stores it for as long as you need
When you’re ready, all your stuff is brought back to the same location or delivered to a new one. One of the biggest fears about warehouse storage is, “What if I need something?” It’s not a problem. We keep a meticulous inventory so we can bring you what you need anytime.
How Does Northern Virginia’s Climate Affect Stored Belongings?
If you’ve lived in Arlington or Fairfax for even one summer, you already know what the humidity does to you. So, you can imagine what sitting in an unventilated garage for three months would do to your wood dining table.
Summer and winter are equally damaging. Summer is steamy heat and winter is dramatic temperature swings. Without climate control, everything in your garage expands and contracts with the weather.
Wood does not like humidity and will crack or wobble first. Leather mildews and stiffens. Beautifully upholstered furniture starts to smell, and your computer will look fine on the outside while its circuit boards slowly corrode. If you’re storing belongings for more than a few days around here, a climate-controlled storage space is essential.
Is Garage Storage Safe for Furniture and Valuables?
While your garage is convenient, it’s not a good choice for long-term storage.
Mice, spiders, and silverfish are some of the hidden guests that may be in your garage. Once they find a cardboard box full of linens or paper, they settle in.
While you may live in a quiet, safe neighborhood, the security of your garage likely cannot compete with that of a professional warehouse facility. Even if you have a lock on your garage, the professional facility uses alarm systems and security cameras combined with restricted access and professional oversight.
When Does Garage Storage Make Sense?
Your garage or a standard storage unit works for the stuff that can take a beating. Things like tools, bikes, camping gear, and lawn equipment are designed to handle temperature swings and moisture. Your plastic bins full of durable holiday decorations will survive out there, too.
The question to ask yourself is, if you opened the garage door and found this item (whether it’s a piece of furniture or a box of stuff you need to store for a while) warped or mildewed, how upset would you be?
What We’ve Seen Go Wrong
We’ve been moving and storing in the DMV for more than two decades, so we know what can go wrong with improper storage.
One family stored a solid oak dining set in their garage over the summer while their kitchen was being remodeled. The project was supposed to take six weeks, but took about ten. When they pulled the table out, the joints had separated, and the surface had a slight but visible bow.
We’ll never forget the move where we pulled a large leather couch out of a garage-style storage unit. The customer thought the white powder was dust, and we had to tell him it was mildew that had already taken hold of the leather. He ended up dumping that couch in spite of paying rent on that storage unit for months because he wanted to keep it.
When you’re moving or storing, do you think of batteries? You’ll want to! It’s something that catches people off guard.
If you leave batteries in your remotes or anything before storing them (in this case, even when the storage is climate-controlled), there’s a good chance you’ll come back to find them corroded and leaking. Always pull your batteries out before anything goes into a box.
Remember, you may think you’re putting things away for a couple of weeks, but timelines change. Pack everything to keep it safe for longer than you anticipate leaving it.
Why Families in Arlington & Fairfax Trust Georgetown Moving and Storage
Handing your belongings over to strangers is a leap of faith. You want to make sure they know what they are doing and will keep everything safe and in good shape. We get that.
When you store with us, you know that every single member of our team passes a comprehensive background check before they start working. We have secure and climate-controlled facilities in Arlington and Alexandria, so your furniture won’t even notice the season.
Even if we don’t pack for you, we keep a careful log of everything we pick up and know where it all is at all times. If you need some decorations or your winter clothes while you’re storing items with us, we can easily grab them for you. We have month-to-month and longer-term agreements, so you’re never locked in.
We’re proud of our GSA approval because after more than 20 years of helping families across Arlington, Fairfax, and the Washington, DC, area, we’ve built our reputation on taking care of your stuff.
Call us at (703) 889-8899 or request a free estimate online. You’ll love the extra room in your garage.
