Self-storage facilities, such as Eagle Airport Car And Mini Storage, provide you with a place to store your stuff, either while moving or just to free up some space within your home. However, one of the key considerations when putting your stuff into storage is the security of your unit, especially if you are storing valuable collectibles, appliances, or items of furniture. Understanding the differences between the main types of locks used on self-storage units can help you choose the best security option for your storage needs.

Keyless Locks

Keyless locks, like their name would suggest, are designed so that you do not have to carry around a key with you. Instead, you just have to enter a code to enter your storage unit. This provides a great deal of convenience, as you are able to enter your storage unit whenever you want to and can share your code easily with friends and family. A major downside of keyless locks is the fact that a potential thief could guess your code based off of the wear on the buttons and because keyless locks may not work on your storage unit in the event of a power outage.

Padlocks

Padlocks are the most common type of lock on the market and are used for a wide variety of different purposes. They make use of a key, which means that you are always able to access your storage unit, unlike keyless locks, and they cannot be easily picked. However, padlocks vary greatly in terms of quality, and because the locking arm on padlocks tends to be fairly long and easy to get to, padlocks are susceptible to being cut by bolt cutters, which doesn't make them an ideal choice for use with a storage unit. However, some specialized variants of padlocks are available on the market which come with a cover over the locking arm, making them much more secure and less likely to be broken open by a determined thief.

Disc Locks

Disc locks are a special type of lock with a rounded shape that uses a much shorter locking arm than padlocks do, providing a much higher degree of protection for your storage unit. They cannot be cut by bolt cutters and are also extremely difficult to pick as they use a specialized locking mechanism. However, their shorter locking arm means that they are not well suited for some storage units, as they are unable to fit onto the latches on some doors.