Choosing a Lock for Your Storage Unit

All storage units must be secured with a lock.  But, with so many different types of locks to choose from, it is hard to know which one best suits your requirements.  Furthermore, other factors such as security, weatherproofing, key or combination must be considered before making a choice.

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The Anatomy of a Padlock
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Ever wondered what a lock looks like in the inside?  A lock is essentially made up of 3 parts:
 
The Shackle – this is the loop of metal that opens and closes.  Shackles come in various diameters and lengths.  Our doors will allow a maximum diameter of 10 millimeters.  In terms of security, this is the most vulnerable part of the padlock
 
The Body – this is the part of the lock that houses the locking mechanism.
 
The Locking mechanism – It usually contains 3 to 7 pins which must be aligned for the shackle to be released.   In term of weatherproofing, this is the most vulnerable part of the padlock.
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Closed Shackle Padlock
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In this padlock, only a small section of the shackle is exposed, most of it being guarded by the body of the lock.  This means that it is very difficult to open using a saw or bolt cutter.  Be aware though that this design reduces the clearance between the shackle and the body.

​Long Shackle Padlock

​This is the standard padlock design with an extended shackle.  Because of the wide clearance between the shackle and body, this lock is normally used for chain locking.   Be aware that the longer the shackle, the easier it is to use a saw or bolt cutter to open it.

Straight Shackle Padlock

​Also known as a shutter padlock, this padlock comes into the category of closed shackle padlock (see above).  Once again, be aware of the clearance between the shackle and the body.

Disc Lock or Round Shackle Padlock​

​This is also a closed shackle padlock.  In this case, the shackle is curved and follows the shape of the body.  The disc lock we offer in our shop have the added advantage of releasing the key in the closed position only.  This means you cannot lock your storage unit without the key (ie you cannot lock your storage unit and leave the key inside the unit – quite a common occurrence when using standard padlock).

​Combination Padlock

These padlocks have a different locking mechanism which is not as secure as keyed padlocks.  However, this type of lock offers many advantages:

• there is no key to carry or misplace
• if your storage unit is accessed by many different people, then no need for duplicate keys
• the combination can be reset at anytime, no need to change the lock

On the negative side:

• most of these locks are not weatherproof, make sure the dial is covered or at the bottom of the lock, away from the weather (see section below on weatherproofing)
• it takes around 40 minutes on average to crack a 3-dial padlock, 4 to 5 hours for a 4-dial padlock.

​Weatherproofing

If your storage unit is on the driveway and your padlock is exposed to the weather, then the quality of the lock is important.  A bit of corrosion on the outside will not hurt the lock.  What you want to avoid however is internal corrosion that will impact the locking mechanism.  A cheap lock will rust when exposed to the weather for a long period of time, and the key will no longer open the lock.  Combination locks are OK to use outside provided the dial is not exposed to the weather. 
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Security

If security is of concern to you, then invest in a good quality closed shackle padlock.  The shackle should be hardened, steel is best.  As a general rule, when it comes to locks, you get what you pay for.  So the cheaper the lock, the lower the quality.
 
Whatever the lock you chose, remember the number one rule in self storage:  blend in with everybody else, do not attract attention to your storage unit by using an oversized padlock, or using more than one padlock.