One of the most consequential decisions in self storage development is whether to build climate-controlled units, traditional drive-up units, or a combination of both. Get this right and your facility leases up quickly. Get it wrong and you'll fight occupancy challenges for years.
Understanding Drive-Up Storage Units
Drive-up storage units are the traditional format — ground-floor units with a roll-up door that tenants can drive directly to for loading and unloading. They're lower cost to build than climate-controlled space because they require no HVAC system, no interior corridors, and simpler construction. Drive-up units attract tenants storing vehicles, equipment, furniture, seasonal items, and business inventory that doesn't require temperature control. In most markets, drive-up units represent the largest segment of demand and are the fastest to lease up.
When Climate-Controlled Storage Makes Sense
Climate-controlled self storage units maintain a consistent temperature range year-round, protecting sensitive items like documents, electronics, wine, artwork, clothing, and furniture from temperature extremes and humidity fluctuations. These units command significantly higher rents per square foot — often 25 to 50 percent more than comparable drive-up units. Climate-controlled facilities tend to perform best in dense suburban and urban markets where renters have higher disposable incomes and are storing higher-value personal or business property.
Building a Mixed-Use Facility for Maximum Market Coverage
Many successful self storage facilities offer both drive-up and climate-controlled units to capture the broadest possible renter base. A common approach is to build drive-up units in exterior rows for easy vehicle access, with a climate-controlled multi-story or single-story interior building at the center of the property. Duro Storage's steel building systems can accommodate both formats, and our team works with developers during the design phase to optimize the unit mix for the specific market, parcel size, and construction budget.
Designing a self storage facility for your market? Duro Storage can help you plan the right unit mix. Call 800-872-5740 today.
