World

Choosing the Right Short-Term Storage Alternative

Published

6 years ago

June 1, 2020

There are several reasons why you might be on the lookout for a short-term solution for storage. Maybe you have some time until your moving day with nowhere to keep your things before then, or maybe you’re doing a home improvement project and need to clear out a couple of rooms during building. Whatever the reason you’re searching for short-term storage, you’ll want to bear in mind a few things when deciding where and how to store your possessions.

Short-term storage for three months or less is really just storage for if you want to be able to access your things sooner rather than later. The storage choice you make will depend on the sort of move you are making, as well as the items you plan to store. Bear in mind the following factors when evaluating the options best suited to your needs.

Your Space Requirement

This is one of the main considerations for choosing any storage method for the short or long term. Storage facilities have a range of unit sizes and when you book you’ll want to get a general sense of how much room you’re going to use, so that you don’t get a unit that is either too large or too small. You’re going to want to know the size and shape of the boxes and/or other objects you will want to put in the storage room, and how you’re hoping to store them (i.e. all packed in or arranged according to a specific method so that you can access them when you need them). Use an online storage size calculator and address your needs with your storage facility to help you pick the correct size unit.

Storage Location and Access

As in the first case, based on the purpose for which you need temporary storage, you would choose to rent a unit that allows you easier access than a long-term unit would allow. For example, if you are storing things during a home repair or reconstruction project, consider buying a storage container that you can have right in your driveway so you can remove items quickly when you need them. If you don’t use your things on a daily basis, you would definitely always want a short-term storage facility that you can get to easily and use when you need to do so.

Look for short-term storage facilities that provide drive-up storage access so you can conveniently load and unload your container with the maximum access capability if you’re not storing the unit on your own property.

Cost Efficiency

As for many of your other expenses, the less time for which you’re trying to reserve a storage room, the more you’d have to pay each month. To keep the prices down, it could be better to use a storage provider specialising in temporary storage, because the rates would already be designed with a view to short-term deals. Do your homework, compare rates among a few options, and check out any discounts or offers that might be out there.

Storage in Transit Options

If you’re hiring a moving service to help you pack your things anyway, ask if they’re providing storage in transit (SIT). This choice is perfect for those who temporarily store items in between moves because the movers can collect the belongings from your old house, store them for a certain period of time, and then drop them off at your new home when you’re ready to move in. It is not the cheapest choice and it is likely to set you back more than simply renting, but it covers the cost of hiring skilled movers handling your things. If you know you’re going to need movers anyway, going for SIT will be quicker and more cost effective than contracting movers for moving in and out of storage and paying for a unit in between the moves.

Term Flexibility

You do not always know the precise dates for which you will require your short-term storage unit or even a sequence of dates. This is particularly true if you store your things after you’ve sold your home, but you haven’t decided where you’re going to move to next. If this is the case, avoid the guesswork and search for a month-to-month lease for temporary storage.

Unit Amenities

If you are planning to store paintings, electronics, or other things that may be vulnerable to harm in a storage unit, make sure to search for a short-term alternative that offers both temperature protection and humidity control, if possible. This is highly important if you’re planning to store items during excessively hot or cold times. Just a short period in extreme conditions of temperature or humidity will affect such valuable objects, so you’ll want to ensure in advance that your belongings are going to be safe.

Storage Security

Irrespective of the length of the storage period, you want to be sure that the facility is doing all it can to keep your possessions safe. For a good chance that your possessions will be secured, search for a facility that has facilities such as surveillance cameras, locks, and on-site management. Ensure that the protection of your unit is factored into your calculations, especially if you intend to store high-value items.

Wrapping Up

Ultimately, it takes time to understand the complexities of your scenario, the various choices available in your region, and select the right short-term storage solution. Do not just go for the first alternative you see. Compare a few companies and their storage unit models, as well as the cost and scale, and factor in other critical variables. There are many temporary storage solutions of good quality, such as Safestore Containers, out there and no matter what your needs are, you will be able to find a perfect solution.

World

More Named Storms — Is Your Luxury Pergola Ready?

Published

4 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Jenny Jackson

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted a 60% chance that the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season would be above normal. The administration said to watch for between 13 and 19 total named storms — those with winds of 39 mph or higher.

For homeowners in hurricane-prone regions, this raises an urgent question: are your outdoor spaces ready to weather the storm?

PERGOLUX, a leader in durable outdoor structures, designs powder-coated aluminum pergolas with adjustable louvers to withstand the harshest environments.

“Today’s outdoor living spaces face the wrath of nature’s extremes,” says Tim Heneveld, Country Director of PERGOLUX North America. “Hurricanes, tropical storms, and flash floods bring powerful winds exceeding 100 mph. Their relentless rain and rising floodwaters can quickly devastate unprepared structures. If you want to protect your investments, resilient design is essential.”

Is your aluminum pergola and louvered roof ready to take on intense storms?

The open-air elegance of patio pergolas with slat roofs is perfect for a gentle breeze, but can make them vulnerable to the violent forces of hurricane winds. These storm winds pack powerful uplift and lateral forces.

Wind uplift occurs when gusts of wind flow beneath the roof, generating upward pressure that can lift the entire structure off its base. Lateral forces push a pergola horizontally, causing it to lean or even collapse.

The key defense against these powerful forces? A reinforced frame.

“Strong, well-engineered frames act as the backbone of your pergola,” notes Heneveld. “Aluminum is the ideal material for a pergola’s frame. It combines the strength needed to resist bending or breaking with a lighter weight that reduces strain on the foundation.”

PERGOLUX’s pergolas feature reinforced frames engineered to withstand intense storms with confidence. In fact, their latest model, the Skydance Series 3 Pergola, is specially crafted to endure winds up to 165 mph, which means that even when fierce hurricanes like Milton sweep through, these pergolas remain intact.

Reinforced aluminum frames designed with thickened beams and precision connections stand up to wind uplift and lateral pressure. Hurricane-rated bolts, brackets, and screws hold everything tightly together to prevent ‌weak points that storms so often exploit. When each joint is reinforced and well-anchored, your pergola can remain a steadfast retreat despite the wildest weather. Thicker beams and columns combined with robust engineering techniques give these pergolas superior strength. Extra support brackets, hidden fasteners, and precise assembly methods ensure the frame endures.

Elevated bases can protect your luxury pergola from floods

Along with high winds, storms bring torrential rain. Rising water can undermine structural footings and rot wooden materials, which can destabilize the entire installation.

An elevated base is a strategic line of defense. “By constructing your pergola on raised concrete footings or piers, you create a gap between the ground and the structure,” notes Heneveld. “During a flood, it keeps the water at bay. The elevation also prevents erosion caused by pooling rainwater.”

The best-quality outdoor pergolas offer high-grade materials and cutting-edge engineering

The key element of any storm-ready outdoor structure is its materials. PERGOLUX chooses 6063-T5 aluminum, a marine-grade alloy renowned for its incredible strength and exceptional resistance to corrosion, even when exposed to salty sea air and humid conditions.

“A wooden or vinyl pergola may look great at first,” says Heneveld, “but they often require costly upkeep or replacement after just a few seasons of storm damage. Our reinforced aluminum pergolas will give you years of worry-free durability. It will remain strong and look fantastic, no matter the weather.”

PERGOLUX’s advanced engineering solutions also protect what is inside the structure. Their patented RainLUX™ integrated gutter system channels rainwater away, preventing leaks that can damage furniture and floors.

“We offer a 10-year warranty to back up all of our claims,” Heneveld says. “It’s our commitment that these structures will protect your home’s exterior environment for years to come. We want you to focus on enjoying the moments that matter in your pergola, not on the coming storms.”

Practical outdoor living tips to prepare your louvered pergola kit before storm season

Even the strongest pergola will fare better when prepped for a coming storm. “Make sure to secure your loose items,” Heneveld warns. “Before a storm, remove furniture, planters, and décor. All of these can become hazardous projectiles.”

When homeowners hear that a storm is on the way, they will want to fully secure any screens or panels. Removing detachable panels before severe weather will help protect the pergola by reducing wind resistance.

Homeowners will want to take the time to routinely inspect and maintain their pergolas. A quick check for loose fasteners or other small signs of wear goes a long way in preserving the pergola’s strength.

“Combine simple preparation with a reinforced, elevated, and expertly engineered structure, and you’ll have an outdoor space built to last,” Heneveld concludes. “Investing in a storm-ready pergola is about so much more than just avoiding damage. You’re preserving a lifestyle. A long-lasting pergola will bring you years of shaded summer barbecues and fresh-air morning coffees.”