Are All Boxes The Same?

You’ve settled on the perfect self storage unit for your needs, signed the lease and purchased your disc lock. Now it’s time to start packing up all the extra stuff in your attic, basement or garage. Should you talk to the local grocery clerk or call around to department stores asking for leftover boxes from the back? Or, should you purchase the brand new moving kit or separate boxes?

Are All Boxes The Same?

Free Boxes

Although free boxes can be very appealing (I mean, come on, they’re free!), they aren’t the best choice when packing things away for storage. You may end up keeping those boxes in your self storage unit for many months or years at a time – even if you think you will only be using storage for a couple of months. You’d be surprised how quickly time flies and how beneficial your self storage unit becomes. Furthermore, you could very well end up keeping it for a lot longer than anticipated.

Collected Boxes

Boxes you collect from stores are built for short-term use. They may seem sturdy and dependable, but they have been designed to transport goods from one place to another over a very short period of time; then be discarded quickly. Think about how easy they are to break down and flatten. It takes only seconds to reduce them to mere cardboard. They are often much more flimsy than they appear, and won’t stand up to the test of time. You also need to remember that store employees aren’t worried about keeping the boxes in good shape. They will open them – often times using a box cutter and slicing right though the box. Then they empty them, crush them and flatten them immediately for disposal. Food, grease, oils and who knows what else may also have been spilled on them.

Boxes Designed Specifically for the Self Storage Industry.

•  They are made of superior materials and high-quality liner board that will stand up over extended periods of time.
•  They are treated to prevent mildew and mold from growing and boast specialized glue to improve durability in high humidity situations.
•  The edges are crush-tested; meaning they can be stacked up for several months without sagging

Remember, all are not created equal! If you want to protect your items from damage while in your self storage unit, you should choose wisely and consider purchasing specialized boxes. If you have questions, you can contact us at any time.