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Storage Unit Size

Self Storage Door Sizes (2023)

You’ve driven past them many times — self storage centers located on the best corners. Maybe you even rent a storage unit currently.

But what if you have large items to store. How do you know if they’ll fit?

Most people are able to figure it out from the square footage floorspace of the unit. But what if your item is close to the size of the unit but doesn’t fit through the door opening. Talk about frustrating.

In this article, we’ll talk about the different door sizes for self storage units. We will even try to find out which company has the largest storage door dimensions.

With this in mind, knowing the size of the door for a self storage unit may be important if you have large things to store.

The Door Opening Determines what Can be Stored

First of all, the storage door dimensions determine the size of items that can be easily moved into and out of the unit. If the door is too small, larger items may not fit — and if it’s too big, it may not provide sufficient security.

Additionally, accurate information for the door size can help determine what sized unit is needed. This can save you money and ensure that you have enough space to store your belongings.

Who knows, this might help you to avoid a unit with a doorway too small.

The ten by ten unit has a doorway opening of 8 foot 8 inches
The ten by ten unit has a doorway opening of 8 foot 8 inches by 7 feet tall.

Standard Self Storage Door Sizes: What You Need to Know

Self storage has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. It provides a convenient, affordable solution for people who need to store their belongings for a short period of time or who need to free up space in their homes.

But before you rent a self storage unit, it’s important to know the size of the door, as this will determine the size of items that can be easily moved into and out of the unit.

For example, if you’ve got a large armoire and you’re putting it into a 5 foot by 10 foot unit, will that armoire fit into the 3 foot 8 inch opening? It’s important to know if the unit will work — before renting the storage unit.

The five by five unit has a doorway opening of 3 foot 8 inches.
The five by five unit has a doorway opening of 3 foot 8 inches by 7 feet tall.

Understanding the Storage Door Dimensions for Self Storage

Self storage doors come in a variety of sizes, but there are some standard storage door dimensions that are commonly used.

Here are the most common door sizes for self storage units:

Climate Controlled Units, Interior Units

  • 5′ x 5′ Door size: 3 foot 8 inches wide and 7 feet tall
  • 5′ x 8′ Door size: 3 foot 8 inches wide and 7 feet tall
  • 5′ x 10′ Door size: 3 foot 8 inches wide and 7 feet tall
  • 10′ x 10′ Door size: 8 feet 8 inches wide and 7 feet tall
  • 10′ x 15′ Door size: 8 feet 8 inches wide and 7 feet tall

Drive Up Units and Mini Storage Doors

  • 5′ x 5′ Door size: 3 foot 8 inches wide and 7 feet tall
  • 5′ x 10′ Door size: 3 foot 8 inches wide and 7 feet tall
  • 10′ x 10′ Door size: 8 feet 8 inches wide and 7 feet tall
  • 10′ x 15′ Door size: 8 feet 8 inches wide and 7 feet tall
  • 10′ x 20′ Door size: 8 feet 8 inches wide and 7 feet tall

Two different companies build most of the doors used for self storage centers. As a result, the storage room door size between storage centers are actually very similar. The same goes for storage unit door height.

This would include the door openings from the big five storage centers: Public Storage, Extra Space, CubeSmart, Life Storage and U-Haul.

It’s important to note that these are rough estimates — the exact size of the door may vary slightly depending on the storage facility.

Standard 8 foot 8 inch opening.
The standard 8 foot 8 inch opening by 7 feet tall.

Which Self Storage Company has the Widest Storage Unit Doorway Openings?

There are two companies that build most of the doors used in Self Storage Units: Janus International (the maker of the Janus Roll Up Doors) and Pilot Door Systems.

According to each of these companies, they have standard door sizes that are used by self storage centers across the country. The storage room door size are all fairly similar for the standard sizes.

So the answer to which self storage center has the widest openings, it’s going to be: ‘they are all about the same.’

That means that the customer can shop based on features of the storage unit — and just make sure your items can fit inside.

 

The Importance of Measuring Your Items Before Renting a Unit

Before you rent a self storage unit, it’s a good idea to measure your items to ensure that they will fit through the door and into the unit.

Just like in the armoire example above, if you have larger items, such as furniture or appliances, you may need to rent a unit with a larger door.

On the other hand, if you’re just storing smaller items, a smaller door may be sufficient — and can save you some money.

Measuring your items before renting a self storage unit cannot be overstated. Accurately measuring your items ensures that you’ll choose the right sized unit with a door that is suitable for the items you need to store.

By taking the time to measure your belongings, you can avoid any unnecessary inconvenience or additional expenses associated with having to rent a larger unit or move your belongings to a different unit if they don’t fit.

If you’re storing smaller items — such as boxes or containers — it may not be necessary to rent a unit with a large door.

Renting a smaller unit with a smaller door saves you money and ensure that your items are stored securely.

Maximizing Your Space with the Right Storage Room Door Size

Once you’ve determined what size door you need from the list above, it’s important to choose the right unit to match up with that size.

Since most storage units have roll up doors in 2023, it’s pretty easy to select what size fits your needs once you know what you have.

Now if your items fit, then get the storage unit.

The ten by twenty unit has a doorway opening of 8 foot 8 inches
The ten by twenty unit has a doorway opening of 8 foot 8 inches by 7 feet tall.

The Benefits of Renting a Unit with a Roll-Up Door

Roll-up doors are typically larger than standard doors. This can be particularly useful with oversized or bulky items — such as furniture or appliances and maybe even vehicles.

However, it’s important to consider the security of the unit when choosing a roll-up door. Roll up doors are generally less secure than standard doors.

Roll-up doors are typically made from corrugated metal and do not offer the same level of protection against break-ins as solid metal doors.

To protect you from this security risk, it’s important to choose a self storage facility that has adequate security measures in place, such as security cameras, gated access and 24-hour surveillance.

It may be a good idea to purchase insurance for your stored items to provide additional peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

How wide is a self storage doorway?

The five feet wide storage unit has a 3 foot 8 inch wide opening. The ten feet wide storage unit has an 8 foot 8 inch opening. This is for drive up and interior units.

Larger units designed for storing vehicles, RVs, boats or oversized equipment may have tall doors to accommodate these items. For other sized widths, check with your nearby storage center.

How do you open a storage unit door?

To open a storage unit door, follow these steps:

  1. Unlock the lock: Most storage unit doors have a disc lock, padlock or a combination lock securing them. If you have a disc lock or padlock, insert the key into the lock and turn it until the lock opens. If you have a combination lock, enter the correct combination and release the lock.
  2. Remove the lock: Once the lock is unlocked, remove it from the door latch or hasp.
  3. Lift the door handle: Grasp the door handle or latch, typically located near the center of the door, and lift it upwards. This will disengage the door from any locking mechanism in place.
  4. Roll up or open the door: Storage unit doors are usually either roll-up or swing doors. For a roll-up door, grab the bottom of the door and pull it upwards, using the provided handle or grip if available. The door should roll up into the ceiling-mounted storage unit. For a swing door, pull the door towards you or push it away from you, depending on the hinge direction.
  5. Secure the door, if necessary: If you need to keep the door open while you access the storage unit, some facilities may have a latch or hook system that allows you to secure the door in the open position. Use this feature if it’s available.

Remember to close and lock the door when you’re finished accessing the storage unit — to ensure the security of your belongings.

What is the typical storage unit door height?

The typical storage unit has a door height of 7 feet. Some storage centers that focus on taller unit heights have door heights up to 10 feet. Larger units designed for storing vehicles, RVs, boats, or oversized equipment may also have taller doors to accommodate these items. Check the storage room doorway sizes and dimensions of the unit you are considering to ensure the height is suitable for your needs.

What is the typical storage unit door size?

The size of a storage unit door can vary depending on the unit size.

Typical sizes for storage unit doors are:

  1. Small Units (5×5, 5×10): These units often have a door width of about 3 to 4 feet.
  2. Medium Units (10×10, 10×15): These units typically have a door width of about 8 to 9 feet.
  3. Large Units (10×20, 10×30): These units usually have a door width of about 8 to 9 feet.

These are average sizes and can vary depending on the specific storage facility.

If door size is a concern — especially for larger items — it’s best to check with the storage facility for exact measurements.

Where can I go if my item won’t fit in a standard storage center doorway?

If it were me and I had something that would not fit the 8 foot 8 inch opening of a larger self storage unit — I’d check on a private storage marketplace.

Is the storage unit garage door the same height or width as a home garage door?

Storage unit garage doors can be similar in height and width to home garage doors, but they also differ depending on the storage facility and the specific unit size.

A standard home garage door is typically around 7 feet tall and 8 to 9 feet wide for a single-car garage. A double-car garage door is usually about 16 feet wide.

Storage unit garage doors, on the other hand, are usually 7 in height (but can be up to 10 feet) and may have varying widths depending on the unit size: either 3 foot 8 inches wide for a small storage door or 8 foot 8 inches wide storage door size for larger units.

 

By Aaron

Articles by Aaron. Having travelled across the country, I've rented several units over the years along with finding a place for the boat and a place for the RV. I've got several favorite storage centers. Since I have a Bachelor of Science Degree, several of my friends ask me where to get the best storage rates. Fortunately, I know exactly how to help them. That's why this information on this website is here to help as many people as possible.