So someone asked me the other day at our facility, “What’s the deal with single door versus double door units? Which one should I get?”
And I realized I give this same speech like three times a week. So I figured I’d just write it all down once and for all. Because honestly? Most people overthink this way too much, or worse – they don’t think about it at all until they’re standing there with a couch that won’t fit.
Let me save you some headache.
The Simple Truth About Both
Look, here’s what nobody tells you. A single door unit is basically like walking through your front door. A double door unit is more like walking through a garage entrance. That’s it. That’s the main difference.
But that difference? It changes everything about how you use that space.
I can’t tell you how many people come to me after renting somewhere else and say “I wish I’d known about the door thing.” They picked a unit based purely on price or square footage, and now they’re stuck trying to maneuver a mattress through a doorway that’s barely wider than the mattress itself.
When Single Door Units Actually Make Sense
Alright, let’s be real here. Single door units get a bad rap sometimes. People act like they’re the cheap option or the lesser choice. That’s just not true.
Here’s who single door units work great for:
- You’re storing boxes: Plain and simple. If everything you’re putting in there fits in standard moving boxes, you don’t need a massive doorway. A single door handles that just fine.
- You’re a “set it and forget it” person. Some people put stuff in storage and don’t touch it for months. Maybe you’re storing holiday decorations or your kid’s old college stuff. If you’re not in and out all the time, the door type really doesn’t matter that much.
- You’re on a budget: And hey, who isn’t these days? Single door units typically cost less. Not a huge difference, but money is money.
- Your unit is in a narrow hallway: This one catches people off guard. Double doors need room to swing open on both sides. If your unit is in a tight spot with walls or other units right next to it, you might not even be able to open both doors fully. Then what was the point?
I had a customer named Dave who insisted on a double door unit even though I warned him about the narrow aisle. Two weeks later he’s back, frustrated, because he couldn’t open the second door all the way. He ended up switching to a single door unit in a different row and was much happier.
When Double Doors Are Actually Worth It
Okay, now let’s talk about when double doors are a game changer.
Because I’ll be honest – when they work, they really work.
- You’re storing wide stuff. This seems obvious but you’d be surprised how many people don’t think about it. Your sofa. Your dining table. A king size bed frame. Maybe you’ve got one of those massive flat screen TVs you’re not ready to get rid of. Double doors make moving those things in and out so much easier it’s not even funny.
- You run a business out of storage. We have customers who use our units for inventory, supplies, you name it. They’re in and out constantly. Double doors mean less time wrestling with stuff and more time actually working.
- You’ve got equipment. Lawnmowers, snowblowers, gym equipment, that sort of thing. Pushing a lawnmower through a single door is an exercise in patience. Double doors? Straight in, no problem.
- You want to see everything at once. Here’s something people don’t think about. With double doors open, you get a wide view of your whole unit. You can stand outside and see what’s in there without climbing in and shuffling around. Makes finding stuff way easier.
We had this woman storing art supplies for her Etsy business. She switched from a single to a double door unit and told me she cut her loading time in half. That’s real time saved.
The Annoying Stuff Nobody Mentions
Let me be straight with you about some downsides because everyone glosses over this.
Double doors have a post in the middle. Yeah, that center column where the two doors meet. So even though you’ve got two doors, you’re actually walking through two separate openings. If your item is really wide, that post can still get in your way.
Also, double doors have more moving parts. Two sets of hinges, two handles, more things that can potentially have issues over time. We maintain everything obviously, but it’s just more components.
And here’s something I notice at our facility all the time. With single doors, the seal is just one continuous thing around one door. With double doors, you have a seam right down the middle. If you’re in a climate controlled unit, that seam can let a little more air through. Not a huge deal, but if you’re storing something really sensitive, it’s something to think about.
Here’s The Security Thing
People always ask me which is more secure.
Honestly? Both can be equally secure or equally vulnerable depending on the facility.
Single doors have one locking point. Simple. If that lock is good, it’s good.
Double doors usually lock at both doors and often have a bar that goes across. It’s actually harder to break into because you need to mess with two different locks. But both doors need to close properly. One not latching right and you’ve got a problem.
At our place, we check both types regularly. We want your stuff to stay safe no matter which unit you pick.
But if you ask me, the main security issue isn’t the door type. It’s making sure you actually close and lock it properly. You’d be amazed how many people just pull the door shut and assume it latched.
Let’s Talk Money For A Second
Double-door units generally cost a bit more than single doors of the same size.
Is it worth it? That depends.
- If you’re storing grandma’s china cabinet and you’ll access it once a year, probably not. Why pay extra for convenience you don’t use?
- If you’re in there every week getting tools or inventory, that extra money saves you time and frustration. Only you can decide what your time is worth.
We had a guy who owns a landscaping business renting a single door unit to save cash. He was in there twice a week getting equipment. After three months of fighting with his mower through that narrow door, he upgraded to double doors. He told me he wished he’d just done it from the start.
What I Tell My Own Friends
When someone I actually know asks me which to pick, here’s what I say:
Measure your biggest item. I mean actually measure it. Get a tape measure and check. Then measure the doorway of a single door unit. If your biggest item is wider than that doorway, you need double doors. It’s really that simple.
Then think about how often you’ll be there. Twice a month or less? Single door is probably fine. Weekly or more? Get the double doors.
And if you’re still not sure, come look at both. We’ll show you units side by side. You can see the difference for yourself instead of just reading about it.
One Last Thing
Honestly? Most people in our experience end up happy with whatever they choose as long as they actually thought about it first. The ones who end up frustrated are the ones who didn’t consider the door situation at all and just picked whatever was cheapest or available.
Take five minutes. Think about your stuff. Think about how you’ll use the space. Then make your choice.
And if you pick wrong? Most places including us let you switch units if you need to. It happens. People realize they need something different and we work with them.
So don’t stress about it too much. Just give it some thought and go with what makes sense for your situation. You can always change later if you need to.
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