3 Minute Read

Budget vs Luxury car storage – where does your money go?

Posted by - Tim Earnshaw on 9 August 2019 (Updated 9 April 2020)
Categories: Advice, Tips & Tricks
Budget vs Luxury Car Storage

Demand for car storage grows stronger by the day, and as such consumers are often faced with a few options when looking for a babysitter for their pride and joy. But many wonder just what separates the low end from the high end, and often find a lack of transparency and much small print in their search. To shine light on a few of the differences between budget and luxury car storage, we’ve put together some of the key differentiators below.

Environment

While this may seem an obvious place to start, it takes a huge amount of expertise, time and expense to create and, more importantly, maintain a controlled storage environment. As such the environments of lower level storage operations are often uncontrolled and susceptible to violent fluctuations in temperature, which can have a lasting impact on your pride and joy. Eradicating the chance of dampness is possible with expert car storage, but removing it once its taken a hold of your car is much harder…

Access

An area most consumers don’t think to consider initially when searching for storage, but more often an issue that arises once vehicle storage has begun. A high level of accessibility requires sufficient staffing, a well designed space and your car to be kept in on-the-button condition, which a top-level provider can offer. However, budget car storage options often fall short on this and require your car to be kept in storage long term and can even have additional charges for taking your car out of storage.

Security

A paramount concern for any consumer is security, and rightfully so. The level of investment required to achieve a totally secure facility as opposed to a somewhat secure facility is vast, and moreover creating and maintaining a covert operation takes even more time, money and dedication. There can be no corners cut when security is involved – it either is, or it isn’t! Beyond physical security, a top quality firm will also go to great lengths to ensure that the entire service remains totally confidential and the location, details and custodian of a car remain totally private – a huge attraction for many.

Knowledgeable staff

Just as important as the facility in which your car is kept is the individuals who look after it. Expertise never comes cheap, and regardless of your car’s value the piece of mind granted by experienced staff is priceless. A truly skilled team can also ensure your car is kept in perfect running order, calling on their own knowledge and a network of approved specialists when required to make sure your car is ready to go when you are – a service simply not available at budget outlets.

Membership perks

A top quality car storage provider will be by nature a respected, connected and influential voice in the industry, and consumers can benefit from this. A truly exceptional company will offer their clientele benefits beyond superlative storage, such as event access, connections to likeminded individuals and access to knowledge within and outwith their organisation. Be aware though, this level of service is only offered by the very best.

Windrush Car Storage are industry leaders in car storage, offering an unrivalled service in the sector. Should you have any questions on our company, our ethos and our storage facilities, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Get in touch
Call Cotswolds +44 (0) 1451 821 008
Call London +44 (0) 207 458 4418
target-environment-main-original-1.jpg?w=1024&h=683&scale
3 Minute Read

Target Environment

Read Article
Due to the multitude of different materials present in any car, whether it be a classic, vintage or…
Read Article
Due to the multitude of different materials present in any car, whether it be a classic, vintage or modern vehicle, there is a very specific environment in which vehicles should be stored to maintain condition. Moisture is the cause of rust and mould and it is this which needs to be managed. At Windrush Car Storage we have spent (and spend) great deal of time researching the different opinions and ‘best practice’ for the storing your pride and joy in the best possible environment. In summary there are several options: Heating Whilst we may believe this is going to be ‘good’ for your pride and joy, there are several drawbacks. Firstly it’s expensive, how many of our garages are insulated? This means that the heater will be going a lot of time, with a lot of the heat straight out of the roof and walls. Secondly the heat has to come from somewhere. This usually means that the method of doing this has introduced a fire risk, not ideal. Finally, warm air does not necessarily mean dry air. By heating the air the amount of moisture it can hold actually rises. If you brought your vehicle out of the cold into your nice warm garage, condensation would immediately form on all of the surfaces (similar to taking a milk bottle out of the fridge and into the warmer air of your kitchen). Further information on this topic can be found by clicking here. Ventilation For air to form condensation it needs to be still. (On a windy cold night you’ll never find condensation on your lawn whereas on a cold, still night you will!) By keeping the air moving in your garage it is possible to prevent condensation forming. The downside of this is that the air can still be laden with moisture and wherever the air is allowed to become still (inside the engine bay, exhaust, interior etc) condensation can form starting the rusting or mould process. Plastic Enclosures The next step on from ventilating the whole garage is to place the vehicle inside a purpose built enclosure a little larger than the vehicle where powerful fans draw in air through filters to remove any dust particles and then circulate the air around the vehicle. Several manufacturers supply systems that enclose the car completely in a plastic ‘bubble.’ Advantages are that 99% of dust is filtered out and air is continually being moved by fans to prevent condensation forming. These also have the additional benefit of preventing any objects accidentally coming into contact with the bodywork. The best in our opinion have an internal supporting framework, such as the Airflow AirChamber. Dehumidification The preferred method of removing moisture from the air and regarded as ‘best practice’ in the vehicle storage industry is by dehumidifying the storage environment. Dehumidifying allows vehicles stored in a garage to remain condensation and corrosion free. Units reduce and then maintain the humidity. It is important not to dry the air too much as a relative humidity (RH) drier than 55% may dry any wood (dashboards) or leather too much, causing them to warp and crack. Anything ‘wetter’ than a RH of 55% will allow exposed, untreated metal surfaces to begin the corrosion process. This can include inside the cylinders, brake drums/disks, exhausts and the inside of your cars’ chassis. More advanced dehumidifiers have in-built humidistats to ensure that the air does not become too dry or too wet by turning the machines on and off as required. The Windrush Car Storage Chosen Method At Windrush Car Storage we have chosen to dehumidify all our buildings with dehumidifiers which monitor and maintain a target RH of 55%. As the ultimate level of protection we then offer to place vehicles inside AirChambers which then offer the ultimate protection for any vehicle in storage by filtering any dust particles out of the air before it enters the AirChamber. From everyday, to prestige and classic car storage, Windrush can provide you with a state-of-the-art, professional and passion driven service for all your car storage needs.
what-to-look-for-when-visiting-a-car-storage-company-main-original-1.jpg?w=1024&h=683&scale
4 Minute Read

What to look for when visiting a…

Read Article
So you’ve decided to visit a car storage facility, but you’re unsure what to look for? Here we…
Read Article
So you’ve decided to visit a car storage facility, but you’re unsure what to look for? Here we outline a few areas to look out for: Is the facility secure? Many companies may not display signage at the facility for security reasons. If you get lost trying to find them, simply call them. Companies who take an interest in you will be more than willing to help. Site security is more important than ease of locating them for the first time. Once you’ve been there you should recognise where they are on a return visit. A professional company will ensure that every reasonable effort has been made to secure the facility. Strong doors on personnel entrances, raising bollards in main door entrances, fire and intruder alarms should all be standard. Ask if the company has an insurance policy for vehicles in their care, some will and some will not. Those that do are perhaps taking their responsibility of looking after your pride and joy a little more seriously? What is the storage environment like? The storage facility should appear clean and well cared for. This will reflect how your car may be cared for. If it looks good, it usually means it is good. There should be no gaps around the building to prevent moisture or rodents potentially entering the building. The presence of dehumidifiers will indicate that the environment will remain dry and maintained. If the unit is not dehumidified, moisture in the air could damage your car whilst in storage, an especially strong consideration for those requiring long term car storage. Moisture in the air forms condensation on warmer objects than the surrounding air as air temperature cools at night. This condensation will over time lead to rusting and mould formation. A controlled environment will ensure these are minimised, prolonging the life of your car. Look for painted concrete floors. Floor paint will seal the floor, preventing moisture rising from the ground beneath. The paint will also result in a smart, dust free environment for your car. Are the buildings and forecourt clean or is there a muddy farmyard to navigate your way through? This again will give you an idea of how your car may be cared for once you have left it in the hands of your chosen company. Do they have the correct equipment to care for your car? Does the car storage company look like they’re organised and have systems in place to enable them to work efficiently? This should give you reassurance that your car is in safe hands. Cars should be covered with specialist covers. Cotton dust sheets will absorb moisture and allow dust particles to settle on your car. Polythene dust sheets, on the other hand, will not allow air to circulate around the bodywork of the car and may lead to condensation. Both types of covers should be avoided in favour of a specialist, breathable cover. Ask if a car chamber or car bubble is also available. Automatic battery conditioners should be connected to every car. One shared between two cars or more simply means that batteries may be left to go flat if overlooked. A flat battery will result in damage to the batteries internals and ability to maintain charge over a long period of time. Proper equipment and care should mean that the staff are conscientious in their approach to daily tasks; caring for your car. Enquire as to what protocols and precautions are used to care for the cars in the facility. This should reassure you that all eventualities have been considered to offer your vehicle a ‘best practice’ approach. Do the cars in storage appear of similar type and value to your car? Cars of similar value to yours will reassure you that the company you are viewing has the necessary experience to look after your pride and joy with the utmost care. For example if you see the company looks after a lot of classic cars, it’s more than likely it’s for good reason, and they have the required expertise and hopefully the passion too, for effective and reliable classic car storage. Cars stored with plenty of space around them and in an orderly fashion are more likely to be regularly monitored and maintained than cars squeezed into a building. What are the people operating the business like? Ask if they have their own cars on site, in storage, they may have built or restored a car. The majority of people will and their enthusiasm may shine when asked giving you reassurance. They may see classic car storage as more of a passion through the love of classic cars, rather than just a job for example. Ask if the staff have a trusted network of trade contacts enabling additional services to be offered towards your vehicle whilst in their care. Most owners and operators of car storage business may live on site. An alarm activated at any hour is likely to receive more attention than if they live off site. This will also make for more flexible appointment times but remember – they may have a life too!
dehumidified-car-storage-main-original-1.jpg?w=1024&h=682&scale
2 Minute Read

Dehumidified Car Storage - What does “climate…

Read Article
With the consumer desire for superlative car storage higher than ever, the term ‘climate control’ is now commonly…
Read Article
With the consumer desire for superlative car storage higher than ever, the term ‘climate control’ is now commonly included in most descriptions for a dehumidified car storage environment. While the basic meaning is understood, less commonly discussed are the factors involved in controlling climate and, more importantly, what these physically mean for your vehicle when in storage. True climate control requires the monitoring and control of two variables: temperature and humidity. To understand the importance of controlling these two variables, you must also understand the results of exposing your car to an uncontrolled environment. Temperature It is well known that a cold environment is not preferable for storing a car, especially when considering long term car storage, with a mix of metal, perishable componentry and soft interior furnishings at risk of contracting and accelerating the aging process. A common misconception is that simply heating your storage area solves temperature-related problems, but unfortunately there are more factors to consider. Warm air is able to carry more moisture than colder air, therefore potentially increasing humidity. However, should the air be too cold it can reach ‘dew point’. At this point the air is fully saturated, and should anything else in your storage area be below this dew point condensation will form and corrosion risk rises dramatically. Furthermore, a particularly damaging yet less documented detrimental factor is a rapid change in temperature – such as pulling your car out from a toasty garage into a crisp day. As with any material, this change in temperature can cause rapid contraction and expansion which is ultimately damaging to your car, and if this is a common occurrence can quickly impact vehicle condition. Humidity When it comes to humidity, there is a fine line to walk. It is commonly understood that too high a humidity level will introduce moisture to the vehicle, and therefore a common mistake is to reduce the humidity too much. By drying out the air too much there is a risk of dashboards splitting, wood trim perishing and leather cracking due to a damaging lack of moisture. Industry grade dehumidifiers reduce and maintain humidity, which is a key differentiator from domestic units which simply reduce. Almost as important as the dehumidification is the monitoring of this, with top-tier storage facilities monitoring this on a second-by-second basis and routinely assessing the environment. Windrush Car Storage are experts in climate control and dehumidified car storage, so much so that we consult on the appropriate storage of perishable items out with automotive. Should you have any questions on climate control, our process and our storage facilities, please do not hesitate to contact us.
  • target-environment-main-original-1.jpg?w=1024&h=683&scale
    3 Minute Read

    Target Environment

    Read Article
    Due to the multitude of different materials present in any car, whether it be a classic, vintage or modern vehicle, there is a very specific environment in which vehicles should be stored to maintain condition. Moisture is the cause of rust and mould and it is this which needs to be managed. At Windrush Car Storage we have spent (and spend) great deal of time researching the different opinions and ‘best practice’ for the storing your pride and joy in the best possible environment. In summary there are several options: Heating Whilst we may believe this is going to be ‘good’ for your pride and joy, there are several drawbacks. Firstly it’s expensive, how many of our garages are insulated? This means that the heater will be going a lot of time, with a lot of the heat straight out of the roof and walls. Secondly the heat has to come from somewhere. This usually means that the method of doing this has introduced a fire risk, not ideal. Finally, warm air does not necessarily mean dry air. By heating the air the amount of moisture it can hold actually rises. If you brought your vehicle out of the cold into your nice warm garage, condensation would immediately form on all of the surfaces (similar to taking a milk bottle out of the fridge and into the warmer air of your kitchen). Further information on this topic can be found by clicking here. Ventilation For air to form condensation it needs to be still. (On a windy cold night you’ll never find condensation on your lawn whereas on a cold, still night you will!) By keeping the air moving in your garage it is possible to prevent condensation forming. The downside of this is that the air can still be laden with moisture and wherever the air is allowed to become still (inside the engine bay, exhaust, interior etc) condensation can form starting the rusting or mould process. Plastic Enclosures The next step on from ventilating the whole garage is to place the vehicle inside a purpose built enclosure a little larger than the vehicle where powerful fans draw in air through filters to remove any dust particles and then circulate the air around the vehicle. Several manufacturers supply systems that enclose the car completely in a plastic ‘bubble.’ Advantages are that 99% of dust is filtered out and air is continually being moved by fans to prevent condensation forming. These also have the additional benefit of preventing any objects accidentally coming into contact with the bodywork. The best in our opinion have an internal supporting framework, such as the Airflow AirChamber. Dehumidification The preferred method of removing moisture from the air and regarded as ‘best practice’ in the vehicle storage industry is by dehumidifying the storage environment. Dehumidifying allows vehicles stored in a garage to remain condensation and corrosion free. Units reduce and then maintain the humidity. It is important not to dry the air too much as a relative humidity (RH) drier than 55% may dry any wood (dashboards) or leather too much, causing them to warp and crack. Anything ‘wetter’ than a RH of 55% will allow exposed, untreated metal surfaces to begin the corrosion process. This can include inside the cylinders, brake drums/disks, exhausts and the inside of your cars’ chassis. More advanced dehumidifiers have in-built humidistats to ensure that the air does not become too dry or too wet by turning the machines on and off as required. The Windrush Car Storage Chosen Method At Windrush Car Storage we have chosen to dehumidify all our buildings with dehumidifiers which monitor and maintain a target RH of 55%. As the ultimate level of protection we then offer to place vehicles inside AirChambers which then offer the ultimate protection for any vehicle in storage by filtering any dust particles out of the air before it enters the AirChamber. From everyday, to prestige and classic car storage, Windrush can provide you with a state-of-the-art, professional and passion driven service for all your car storage needs.
  • what-to-look-for-when-visiting-a-car-storage-company-main-original-1.jpg?w=1024&h=683&scale
    4 Minute Read

    What to look for when visiting a car storage company

    Read Article
    So you’ve decided to visit a car storage facility, but you’re unsure what to look for? Here we outline a few areas to look out for: Is the facility secure? Many companies may not display signage at the facility for security reasons. If you get lost trying to find them, simply call them. Companies who take an interest in you will be more than willing to help. Site security is more important than ease of locating them for the first time. Once you’ve been there you should recognise where they are on a return visit. A professional company will ensure that every reasonable effort has been made to secure the facility. Strong doors on personnel entrances, raising bollards in main door entrances, fire and intruder alarms should all be standard. Ask if the company has an insurance policy for vehicles in their care, some will and some will not. Those that do are perhaps taking their responsibility of looking after your pride and joy a little more seriously? What is the storage environment like? The storage facility should appear clean and well cared for. This will reflect how your car may be cared for. If it looks good, it usually means it is good. There should be no gaps around the building to prevent moisture or rodents potentially entering the building. The presence of dehumidifiers will indicate that the environment will remain dry and maintained. If the unit is not dehumidified, moisture in the air could damage your car whilst in storage, an especially strong consideration for those requiring long term car storage. Moisture in the air forms condensation on warmer objects than the surrounding air as air temperature cools at night. This condensation will over time lead to rusting and mould formation. A controlled environment will ensure these are minimised, prolonging the life of your car. Look for painted concrete floors. Floor paint will seal the floor, preventing moisture rising from the ground beneath. The paint will also result in a smart, dust free environment for your car. Are the buildings and forecourt clean or is there a muddy farmyard to navigate your way through? This again will give you an idea of how your car may be cared for once you have left it in the hands of your chosen company. Do they have the correct equipment to care for your car? Does the car storage company look like they’re organised and have systems in place to enable them to work efficiently? This should give you reassurance that your car is in safe hands. Cars should be covered with specialist covers. Cotton dust sheets will absorb moisture and allow dust particles to settle on your car. Polythene dust sheets, on the other hand, will not allow air to circulate around the bodywork of the car and may lead to condensation. Both types of covers should be avoided in favour of a specialist, breathable cover. Ask if a car chamber or car bubble is also available. Automatic battery conditioners should be connected to every car. One shared between two cars or more simply means that batteries may be left to go flat if overlooked. A flat battery will result in damage to the batteries internals and ability to maintain charge over a long period of time. Proper equipment and care should mean that the staff are conscientious in their approach to daily tasks; caring for your car. Enquire as to what protocols and precautions are used to care for the cars in the facility. This should reassure you that all eventualities have been considered to offer your vehicle a ‘best practice’ approach. Do the cars in storage appear of similar type and value to your car? Cars of similar value to yours will reassure you that the company you are viewing has the necessary experience to look after your pride and joy with the utmost care. For example if you see the company looks after a lot of classic cars, it’s more than likely it’s for good reason, and they have the required expertise and hopefully the passion too, for effective and reliable classic car storage. Cars stored with plenty of space around them and in an orderly fashion are more likely to be regularly monitored and maintained than cars squeezed into a building. What are the people operating the business like? Ask if they have their own cars on site, in storage, they may have built or restored a car. The majority of people will and their enthusiasm may shine when asked giving you reassurance. They may see classic car storage as more of a passion through the love of classic cars, rather than just a job for example. Ask if the staff have a trusted network of trade contacts enabling additional services to be offered towards your vehicle whilst in their care. Most owners and operators of car storage business may live on site. An alarm activated at any hour is likely to receive more attention than if they live off site. This will also make for more flexible appointment times but remember – they may have a life too!
  • dehumidified-car-storage-main-original-1.jpg?w=1024&h=682&scale
    2 Minute Read

    Dehumidified Car Storage - What does “climate control” really mean for my car?

    Read Article
    With the consumer desire for superlative car storage higher than ever, the term ‘climate control’ is now commonly included in most descriptions for a dehumidified car storage environment. While the basic meaning is understood, less commonly discussed are the factors involved in controlling climate and, more importantly, what these physically mean for your vehicle when in storage. True climate control requires the monitoring and control of two variables: temperature and humidity. To understand the importance of controlling these two variables, you must also understand the results of exposing your car to an uncontrolled environment. Temperature It is well known that a cold environment is not preferable for storing a car, especially when considering long term car storage, with a mix of metal, perishable componentry and soft interior furnishings at risk of contracting and accelerating the aging process. A common misconception is that simply heating your storage area solves temperature-related problems, but unfortunately there are more factors to consider. Warm air is able to carry more moisture than colder air, therefore potentially increasing humidity. However, should the air be too cold it can reach ‘dew point’. At this point the air is fully saturated, and should anything else in your storage area be below this dew point condensation will form and corrosion risk rises dramatically. Furthermore, a particularly damaging yet less documented detrimental factor is a rapid change in temperature – such as pulling your car out from a toasty garage into a crisp day. As with any material, this change in temperature can cause rapid contraction and expansion which is ultimately damaging to your car, and if this is a common occurrence can quickly impact vehicle condition. Humidity When it comes to humidity, there is a fine line to walk. It is commonly understood that too high a humidity level will introduce moisture to the vehicle, and therefore a common mistake is to reduce the humidity too much. By drying out the air too much there is a risk of dashboards splitting, wood trim perishing and leather cracking due to a damaging lack of moisture. Industry grade dehumidifiers reduce and maintain humidity, which is a key differentiator from domestic units which simply reduce. Almost as important as the dehumidification is the monitoring of this, with top-tier storage facilities monitoring this on a second-by-second basis and routinely assessing the environment. Windrush Car Storage are experts in climate control and dehumidified car storage, so much so that we consult on the appropriate storage of perishable items out with automotive. Should you have any questions on climate control, our process and our storage facilities, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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