Protecting your things
Lubbock summers bake, winters freeze, and spring wind pushes dust into every gap. Here is what that does to stored belongings, and how to tell whether your things need a climate controlled unit or will be fine in a standard drive-up.
Lubbock climate averages. Source: Climate-Zone.com.
A climate controlled unit sits inside a building that is heated and cooled, so the temperature stays in a steady range all year instead of following the weather outside. Most are reached through an indoor hallway, which also keeps out the wind-blown dust that drive-up doors can let in.
In humid parts of the country, climate control is mostly about moisture and mold. West Texas is dry, so here the bigger threats are temperature swings and dust. That changes which items really need protection.
A closed metal unit in full sun gets much hotter than the air outside. Heat warps vinyl records, melts candles and crayons, dries out and cracks wood, and shortens the life of batteries and electronics.
Cold snaps can split leather, crack finishes, and freeze anything with liquid in it, from paint cans to the water left in a washing machine line.
Dry air means temperatures can rise and fall a lot between afternoon and night. Wood and glue joints expand and shrink with every swing, which is how drawers stick and veneers lift over time.
Spring wind and summer storms move a lot of dirt. During a June 2019 haboob, visibility at Lubbock's airport dropped to a quarter mile (National Weather Service). Fine dust works its way past roll-up doors and settles into fabric, electronics, and drawers.
| Feature | Drive-up | Climate controlled |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | Follows the weather | Steady year-round |
| Dust | Some gets in around the door | Sealed indoors |
| Loading | Park right at the door | Hallway, carts usually available |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Best for | Tools, totes, moves | Furniture, electronics, keepsakes |
Raise everything off the floor on pallets so dust and any water that blows under the door stay underneath.
Use plastic totes with lids instead of cardboard for anything you care about.
Cover furniture with breathable sheets, not plastic wrap, which traps heat against the finish.
Drain all liquids from mowers, trimmers, and appliances before the first freeze.
Keep electronics and photos out of a drive-up unit entirely, even for a short stay in summer.
Compare locations across Lubbock and West Texas, with real unit sizes and starting prices.
For wood or leather furniture, electronics, photos, papers, and anything sentimental, yes. Lubbock's summer heat, winter freezes, and dust can damage those items over a few months. For tools, plastic totes, and yard gear, a drive-up unit is usually enough.
Less than in most places. West Texas air is dry, so the main risks are heat, cold, big temperature swings, and dust rather than mold. Items still need to be completely dry before they go into storage.
It is not recommended in West Texas. Summer heat inside a closed metal unit can damage screens, circuit boards, and batteries. Store electronics in a climate controlled unit.
Yes, it usually costs more than a drive-up unit of the same size. Many people save by putting sensitive items in a small climate controlled unit and everything else in a drive-up.