safe and secure - lockaway self storage london nw8

Any first time self storage customer needs to know the answers to a few questions before giving over their belongings to a firm they don’t know.

It’s not unusual for some back street storage and removal companies to have unsuitable damp and dirty premises with little or no security that can ruin fragile items.

So here are a few key pointers that will sort the self storage experts from the cowboys:

Climate control

It may seem stupid to ask if stored belongings are kept in air-conditioned rooms, but damp is the number one cause of damage to fragile items. Self storage rooms without climate control are subject to extremes of hot and cold, which causes condensation.

If the air is not circulating in a storage room and condensation forms, this causes damp in clothes, upholstery and documents. Damp also warps heavy furniture like wooden table tops.

Tight security

The customer is the only person who should have a key to a self storage room. Good self storage centres have state-of-the art alarm systems with PIN access and 24/7 CCTV. Most have sophisticated fire and smoke alarms as well.

Easy access

Squeezing too many units in to a self storage facility leads to accidents and poor access. Corridors should be well lit and wide. Corners should have room to turn a trolley. Drive up access for vehicles and plenty of parking if the loading bays are busy is a must.

Long opening hours and staff on site

Most busineses can arrange 24/7 access to external containers, but householders and students really need day time and early evening access every day, including weekends. Having staff available in case of problems is also helpful.

Insuring belongings

Cheap, comprehensive insurance is vital in case belongings get damaged in self storage. Most good self storage firms can arrange insurance or personal cover can be obtained from a broker.

Any self storage centre that ticks the ‘yes’ box for these pointers is showing the needs of customers are considered and the staff care about looking after the belongings left with them.

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Removals and self storage both work on the same basic premise – they are selling space.

It makes sense to sort through your possessions and only move what you want to keep and then to squeeze those belongings in to a small a space as possible without risking any damage.

For a removals firm, less time on the job plus a smaller lorry equals a cheaper price.

For self storage, good packing equals less boxes that adds up to saving money by renting a smaller space.

Don’t forget you will probably have to rent more room in a storage unit than the actual space the boxes take up because you may need to get in to access the items at the back.

Stacking with a walkway in between means you can easily get to all the boxes without having to shift everything in the storage unit.

You also have to consider the stack height of boxes. This depends on the size of the box, how you have packed the contents and the weight of what’s inside.

Lockaway Self Storage has a choice of rooms available ranging from mini lockers about the size of a double cupboard or wardrobe to massive containers.

Drive up access makes loading storage space easy. The storage centre has climate controlled, dry, clean rooms to protect your belongings. Storage units are locked and secure with visitors to the site monitored by CCTV.

Packing is also important, and Lockaway Self Storage sells a complete range of boxes, bubble wrap and tapes for boxing up just about anything safely.

If you are not sure how to work out how much storage space you need, phone 020 3283 8794 and chat to one of our storage experts who will talk you through renting the right space for your needs at the right price.

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One of the tips of the trade is making the best use of self storage.

Self storage is a cheap way of clearing out that tired old furniture and piles of prized belongings while showing off your home at it’s best to viewers.

Most of us can’t afford to dump all our carpets and furniture on a whim when we want to put our home up for sale – plus we just don’t know what we might need when we move in to our new place.

That’s where self storage comes in. You can have as much or as little space as you need for as long as you want it.

Storage units have plenty of space for sofas, tables and anything else you need to keep secure and dry.

While your furniture is in storage, many house ‘dressers’ rent newer and more trendy furnishings to make your home look bigger and brighter.

Self storage also makes moving easier, because you can sort and pack your belongings before locking them up safe and sound until you need them. Self storage offers flexible terms and open ended contract with short notice, so you don’t have to worry about moving your possessions by a certain date.

Costs depend on the size of the space you are renting and start at just a few pounds a month.

Storage units keep your belongings in tip-top condition because they are climate controlled to stop damp and condensation that can lead to warping and damp.

You can put more than furniture and household belongings in self storage – all that garden furniture that needs a coat of varnish or those toys and tools overflowing in the garage can also go in to your storage room, giving you more space to show off to viewers.

For more information about Lockaway Self Storage, call 020 3283 8794.

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As all classic car collectors realise, specialist cars have stringent insurance conditions and to make sure the car retains value, the right storage has to be provided.

Few classic car collectors are lucky enough to have the funds for one of just 36 170 mph Ferraris made in the early Sixties, and is widely regarded by many as the ultimate sports car.

Collecting and restoring classic cars has a huge following of enthusiasts.

Cars are lovingly restored to end-of-production-line condition and it’s a point of pride as well as sensible to maintain them like that, otherwise their value diminishes.

Self-storage is an ideal place to keep a classic car away from sticky fingers and the ravages of the elements.

Lots of classic cars are kept in draughty garages under tarpaulins, but serious enthusiasts realise the climate-controlled, damp-free and secure environment of a self-storage centre provides the best conditions for keeping their valuable asset at a reasonable price.

Lockaway Self-Storage has drive-up storage that is just right for classic cars.

The rooms are cool, dry and clean, that helps keep the car pristine and rust-free.

Damaging ultraviolet is banished, as self-storage is windowless so the sun can’t take the sheen and lustre away from delicate paintwork.

Secure storage facilities with 24/7 CCTV coverage also mean the car is safe.

All the owner has to do is check up on the car and arrange to move any settled dust – that’s the one thing Lockaway Self Storage cannot guarantee will creep in to your storage room.

The market for top-end classic cars is buoyant, with a UK collector recently selling a 1930s Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 sports car for £12 million. A Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa sold for about £8 million in May 2009 and holds the record for a car offered in a public auction.

If you fancy buying in to your motoring dream, 50 classic cars are due to go under the hammer at Oxford on March 6.

The lots include a 1956 Bentley S1 Continental sports saloon, valued at a more modest £150,000  - £180,000 in comparison to the Ferrari.

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Outside gear

Sports equipment

Over the years, many of us collect fitness equipment, skis, garden toys for the children like trampolines and bikes. All should be cleaned and packed to avoid damage and warping.

Heavy sports equipment like multi gyms, should be dismantled for easy moving.

Garden

Gardens are full of wooden and stone furniture, swings, slides, pots and other cumbersome, fragile and heavy items. Pack them well, dismantle in to smaller parts where possible and wrap to protect.

Garages and sheds

Drain any petrol and other liquids from mowers and other equipment like strimmers and chain saws.

Pack with weight in mind – especially for tool kits.

Watch out for inflammables or hazardous materials. Many removal firms, hire vans and storage centres have rules for moving and storing dangerous items.

Valuables and belongings you need

Pack these separately and keep them with you if you can. Remember to keep some clothes and a wash bag handy for overnight and don’t pack your keys.

Keep a few tools handy, like Allen keys, screwdrivers, pliers and spanners for dismantling and reassembling furniture.

It’s useful to tape any screws, bolts or other fastenings you take out of any dismantled item in a plastic bag taped to the item. Put a note inside the bag as a reminder of where the fixings go.

For more information about self storage in London NW8, for Swiss Cottage, St John’s Wood, Kilburn, Regent’s Park, Belsize Park, Maida Vale, Paddington and South Hampstead., go to our web site for the latest deals and offers or call Lockaway Storage on 020 3283 8794.

All the packing materials you need for moving and storage are on sale in our on-site shop with a bulk-buy discount.

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Breakables

Make sure glass and crockery are not packed in boxes that are too heavy to avoid the box sp0litting when it’s picked up. Cushion the inside of boxes and pad them full to allow stacking without the tops or sides collapsing.Strong plastic boxes with lids are good for moving and storing breakables.

Glass

Wrap glass in tissue paper, not paper with print. Any glasses, vases or ornaments with thin stems should be packed in to a cardboard cylinder and padded to avoid damage.

Wines and spirits

Make sure bottles are tightly sealed to prevent leaks, wrap in bubble wrap and then a cardboard cylinder and place them in strong, cushioned boxes.

Crockery

Plates and saucers should be stacked on their sides, not on their base. This makes them stronger and less likely to shatter. A good way of placing plates is to ‘concertina’ a long piece of bubble wrap, for example put one plate on the bubble wrap, then fold the wrap over the top of the pate, place a second plate on top and carry on for bundles of six or so plates.

Cups and dishes can be wrapped and stacked.

Ornaments

Treat the same as any other glass or crockery.

Pictures, photos and books

Paintings

If the painting is large and valuable, take specialist advice for removal. Smaller paintings can be carefully wrapped in a blanket to avoid denting or scratching. Paintings should be stored on their sides, not flat.

Photographs

If you are storing photographs, books, comics or other documents, acid free cellophane rather than plastic is preferable because coloured printing will not stick or leach.

Frames and mirrors

Frames with glass and irregular edges should be treated the same as TVs or monitors.

Books

Stacks of books can be very heavy. Pack them in smaller boxes and double tape them to make sure the bottom does not fall apart when lifted.

For more information about self storage in London NW8, for Swiss Cottage, St John’s Wood, Kilburn, Regent’s Park, Belsize Park, Maida Vale, Paddington and South Hampstead., go to our web site for the latest deals and offers or call Lockaway Storage on 020 3283 8794.

All the packing materials you need for moving and storage are on sale in our on-site shop with a bulk-buy discount.

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Clothes and fabrics

Clothing

Clothing can go straight from the rail in to a wardrobe box on a hanger. Just order the same length of rail plus a bit extra in wardrobe boxes to make sure they take all your hanging clothes.

A wardrobe box is about 60cms wide, as a guide for ordering.

Clothing in drawers can stay there – see dressers above.

Other clothing can be boxed, but watch the weight.

Bedding

Quilts, sheets, pillows and blankets can be folded down and tightly wrapped in plastic film for packing in boxes. Put in a few light, fragile items to cushion their move.

Curtains

Take down any curtains and lightly fold and box them. Check the box weights, as lined, full-length curtains can be heavy.

Electronics

TVs, computers and consoles

Home cinema and computer set-ups are often a tangle of wiring. Make sure all the wires for each installation are kept together and coded so you know what goes where.

Keep handsets and controls with the gadget they match as well.

Wrap small gadgets in bubble wrap and place them in a box cushioned with tissue paper or more bubble wrap on all sides. Lighter items can go two or three to a box, but heavier gadgets, like amplifiers might need packing on their own.

Monitors and TVs need careful packing to avoid scratching or breaking the screen. Pack upright, not flat and use lots of protection.

Small appliances

Small appliances from the kitchen, telephones and the like should be packed the same as home electronics.

Make sure microwaves and larger appliances have any removable shelves or other items taken out and packed separately.

DVD and CD

Keep them in their cases and pack in small boxes. They are heavy when grouped together. Don’t pack them in plastic as it can affect the disks.

For more information about self storage in London NW8, for Swiss Cottage, St John’s Wood, Kilburn, Regent’s Park, Belsize Park, Maida Vale, Paddington and South Hampstead., go to our web site for the latest deals and offers or call Lockaway Storage on 020 3283 8794.

All the packing materials you need for moving and storage are on sale in our on-site shop with a bulk-buy discount.

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Furniture

A good tip is to measure doors and rooms in and out of you home, new home and any storage space you intend to use as a stop-over before you move.

Also check the width, available height and turns on any stairs so you can be sure larger furniture items can actually fit in your new home.

If not, some furniture can be dismantled beforehand to make the job easier.

Sofas

Sofas are heavy and difficult to move because of the size and shape. If you have trouble squeezing a sofa through a doorway, neatly remove the material on the base and feel inside the arms. Often they are bolted to the frame and can be removed with a spanner.

Remove the cushions and any loose covers for transportation and storage.

Any covering that cannot be removed ought to be protected with a removal blanket or thick plastic to avoid dirty hand marks, rubs and tears.

Tables and chairs

Glass, marble or granite tables should be dismantled and the top moved separately, safely wrapped and with a fragile sticker.

Wooden tables need careful handling and protection to avoid warping and scratching.

Table and chair legs should have bubble wrap or cardboard tubing around them to cushion against damage.

Dressers

Fill up any drawers with fragile items safely wrapped in tissue or bubble wrap. Securely tape the drawers so nothing can fall out when they are lifted.

Don’t fill the drawers with too many heavy items otherwise lifting becomes difficult.

Dressers and chests are easier to carry with drawers taken out, making the frame much lighter. Don’t forget to protect the frame from damage and scratching as if you were moving a table.

Beds and mattresses

Beds are much the same to move as any other item of furniture. If they can be dismantled, the job is easier.

Mattresses should be wrapped in a mattress cover or heavy plastic, like a sofa.

For more information about self storage in London NW8, for Swiss Cottage, St John’s Wood, Kilburn, Regent’s Park, Belsize Park, Maida Vale, Paddington and South Hampstead., go to our web site for the latest deals and offers or call Lockaway Storage on 020 3283 8794.

All the packing materials you need for moving and storage are on sale in our on-site shop with a bulk-buy discount.

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Both the readers had their own rooms in separate storage centres that they turned in to private libraries.

“They used to appear almost every day to read their books, because these units not only offer extra space, but they’re quiet as well,” said Rodney Walker, chief executive of the Self Storage Association.

Storing books covers a lack of space at home

Self storage is ideal for the purpose, because the rooms are climate controlled, keeping the books mould and condensation free, as well as providing a warm and peaceful place to tuck yourself away and read for a while.

Putting the books in a self storage also cleared the readers much-needed space at home. Other benefits included exercise from a pleasant stroll down to their home-from-home, some friendly faces from the staff and, of course, tea and coffee on tap from a machine in reception.

Finding space for science fiction reading

A private reading room is a self storage solution that suited their needs – but the story goes to show that with a little imagination, anyone can use some extra space provided by a storage facility to improve their lives and even to escape the hustle and bustle of the outside world for a while.

Self storage costs are reasonable if you are squeezed for space at home, at work or in the office because restrictions on lending mean many people and businesses who would like to upgrade to a bigger space are stuck until lending conditions improve. Taking some room need not be expensive – and is certainly a lot cheaper than moving home or business premises.

If you plan to keep books, magazines or documents in a self storage:

• Climate control is prevents damage to paper from extreme temperatures that may lead to condensation

• Give the book or magazine a dust cover from plain paper to stop ’sticking’ when they are on shelves or in boxes

• If you are packing books in boxes, alternate the spines from right to left to prevent bending

• Strong cardboard, plastic or wood between magazines stops warping

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