What’s the Best Padlock for Self Storage?

If you use self storage, the one thing you’ll absolutely need (aside from something to store) is a padlock for the door. Sounds simple enough, right? You probably have at least one padlock lying around your home you could use at a push. But there are quite a few elements to think about when it comes to your padlock for your storage unit – security, access and weather protection being the most important.

Your belongings are only as secure as the lock on your door. Big Yellow provides individually alarmed rooms, 24 hour CCTV and pin code access, but the padlock you bring is the last line of defence. Here is what to look for when choosing one.

How Secure is your Padlock?

Obviously, you want to keep your possessions safe and sound in your storage unit. At Big Yellow, we have individually alarmed storage rooms, 24 hour CCTV, and pin code access to your storage area – but it’s still your responsibility to bring a padlock to secure the lock on the storage door, and having a good quality padlock is the final cherry on the security cake.

By good quality, we mean one that locks completely and securely – not too old, flimsy, or weather beaten. Check that your padlock locks and unlocks before using it on your storage room or container, to test the mechanism is not sticky or jams when you try and open or close it. You might also want to choose a padlock with a longer shackle (the arching metal piece that goes into the lock) to make it easier to close on your storage door. Crucially too, if your lock is key operated, make sure you have the key!

This brings us to the next point – think ahead where you will safely keep the padlock keys while you’re using the storage unit. Will you want to drop into the self storage room while you’re out (if so, you might want the keys on your key ring or in your car)? Or will trusted family members, friends or colleagues need to access the storage room or locker without you? If so, the padlock keys might be better kept somewhere communal and accessible, yet safe.

Who will access your Storage Room?

Speaking of access, if your storage unit is going to have several people accessing it, or you’re afraid you might lose a key, then a combination padlock is highly recommended. That being said, it’s very easy to create a code on the day, only to forget it completely a week later.

For security, it’s recommended you make the combination a unique code – so you might want to jot it down in your phone’s notes to help you if your brain goes a little foggy (as ours can). Also, if you’re using a combination padlock, remember to scramble the code after relocking the padlock – and reminding anyone else who accesses the storage unit to do the same. You’d be amazed how many times people forget (again, we may be talking from personal experience here…).

Indoor or Outdoor Padlock?

Another crucial point to consider is where the padlock will be used. If it’s outside (on one of our exterior lockups, for example), you’ll want a padlock which won’t rust in the rain and can withstand the elements. This is especially important if you use a combination lock, because rust can make the number wheels difficult to turn. If they’re not built for it, weathering can also make the padlocks vulnerable.

Choose the Best Padlock for you

We sell combination padlocks at our stores or online in our Boxshop, great if you forget yours, or want to make sure your padlock is robust. And because we have stores across the UK, there’s always a heavy duty padlock near you to use.

Our padlocks are guaranteed to fit all our storage locks (both interior and exterior). Our combination padlock has four wheels with 10,000 possible combinations, making the lock difficult to pick. And it comes with a 10 year guarantee.

We recommend you buy the padlock on the day you move into your self storage unit, so you don’t forget – just talk to the staff at your local Big Yellow.