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People rent a unit for a variety of different reasons, but one thing remains the same across the board — everyone wants their items to be safe and sound at a self-storage facility. Whether you are storing your belongings for just a few weeks or a few months, you can be certain that your valuables remain secure by using the correct self-storage locks. Here, Clifton Rt. 46 Self Storage walks you through how to select the best lock for your self-storage unit.

Consider The Value Of Your Items

Our large facility offers drive-up units and provides a virtual site tour to help you get to know our property. We want to be sure that your items are as safe as possible, which is why we recommend using a strong padlock. But before choosing the best padlock for your self-storage unit, consider the value of the items in storage. Determining your belongings’ monetary value — or personal value — can help guide you towards choosing a lock with the ideal level of security.

Padlocks come in many different styles and security ranges. You can think of the self-storage lock as your personal security guard. If you have high-value items in your unit, you will want a high-quality lock (a strong security guard). When choosing the ideal model, look at its major components: the body, shackle, and locking mechanism.

Examine The Padlock’s Body

The body of the padlock comes in a few different shapes, such as round, rectangular, or square. The body’s purpose is to secure and protect the interior locking mechanism from tampering. When looking for a solid and unbreakable lock, first evaluate the material of the body. The most commonly used materials include:

• Laminated steel: This material is formed with several thin, steel plates that are riveted together to form the body. Since the rivet heads are sometimes exposed, this material is often good for general security purposes.
• Solid brass: This is a strong metal, but it can be more susceptible to scratches. Overall, it is a good choice for basic, low-cost security.
• Pressed steel: Welded around the entire circumference with heavy-duty stainless-steel shells, this material typically provides a decent level of security. It can be a good choice when locking up general items that aren’t extremely valuable.
• Armor-encased brass: This material is high quality and encased with hardened steel, making attacks extremely difficult. This is the ideal choice for high-security locking.
• Solid-steel alloy: The highest security material is the solid-steel alloy. This is one of the toughest materials available and makes drilling or cutting very difficult. This is an ideal choice for locking up valuables, such as electronics, jewelry, and collectibles.

Find Self-Storage Locks With Durable Shackles

Once you have selected a lock with a durable body, evaluate its shackle. The shackle of your padlock is the most obvious area that a thief may try to open. It is the part of the lock used to secure the padlock onto the storage unit. A quality padlock will feature two areas where the shackle is secured to help prevent thieves from breaking it open using tools like bolt cutters and saws.

To choose a high-security shackle, consider its size and shape. Shackles with a diameter of 7 mm – 9 mm tend to offer low to medium levels of security, while shackles with a diameter of 10 mm or more offer greater security. You should also pay attention to the shape of the shackle. The commonly used round shackle provides minimum protection from bolt cutting, while shackles with a hexagonal shape tend to be more secure.

Look Into Locking Mechanisms

The pins and springs within the lock are the most important factors within the locking mechanism. The number of pins in the lock determines the number of key functions that will open it. Very simple padlocks have as little as one pin, while more advanced models may have four to six pins.

You can find padlocks in keyed alike, restricted keyed, or combination key options. While combo keys might be just fine for basic items with low value, a restricted key is the best choice for a secured locking system. A restricted key cannot be copied, and you will always know who has access to your key.

Learn More About Self-Storage Locks At Clifton Rt. 46 Self Storage

Safely secure the items in your self-storage unit without worry. With greater insight on choosing the best lock, you can identify the most important elements at a glance and make the best choice for your storage needs at Clifton Rt. 46 Self Storage and beyond. Explore our blog for answers to other common self-storage questions. If you are looking to rent a self-storage unit in the Clifton, New Jersey area, contact us today.