Dickinson, ND homeowners who leave outdoor furniture exposed through a North Dakota winter know the result come April — cracked frames, destroyed cushions, and rusted metal that costs more to repair than replace. Proper storage prevents every bit of that damage.
Few climates test outdoor furniture as severely as Dickinson's winters. Temperatures regularly drop to -20°F and below. Heavy snow accumulates on furniture for months at a time. Freeze-thaw cycles occur multiple times throughout the season, expanding and contracting every material repeatedly. Wind-driven snow and ice penetrate every joint and seam. The result for furniture left unprotected is predictable and expensive — cracked and split wood, deeply rusted metal, shattered wicker, and thoroughly mold-damaged cushions. A storage unit at Storage Unit of Dickinson gives your outdoor furniture complete protection from all of these forces through the entire North Dakota winter.
What you do before furniture goes into storage is just as important as the storage environment itself. In Dickinson's extreme climate, items stored dirty, damp, or untreated will develop problems during the long winter storage period even in a protected environment. Prepare every piece carefully before the first hard freeze arrives.
Wood furniture: North Dakota's extreme dry cold causes wood to lose moisture rapidly and crack along grain lines. Apply a high-quality wood sealant or teak oil and store in a climate-controlled unit to maintain wood moisture balance through the winter. Elevate off concrete on pallets or blocks. Wrought iron and steel: Inspect every inch of every piece for rust before storage. Treat all rust with a converter product and apply rust-inhibiting spray to every metal surface. Cold and moisture together accelerate corrosion dramatically — this step is critical in Dickinson's climate. Aluminum: More resistant to rust but still inspect welds and joints. Wash, dry, and apply a light protective spray before storage. Wicker: Shatters in extreme cold — store only indoors in a climate-controlled environment. Keep off concrete floors and away from moisture. Resin and plastic: Becomes extremely brittle at sub-zero temperatures. Indoor storage is essential — even heavy-duty resin furniture suffers permanent damage from prolonged exposure to North Dakota winter conditions.
Furniture covers are completely inadequate for Dickinson's winters. Heavy snow accumulation collapses covers and keeps wet fabric pressed against furniture surfaces for months — the ideal environment for mold and corrosion. Sub-zero temperatures make cover materials brittle and they crack or tear. Wind defeats covers within days regardless of how well they are secured. And the freeze-thaw cycles under a cover create condensation that causes corrosion even on metal treated for outdoor use. Indoor storage at Storage Unit of Dickinson is the only responsible winter protection for outdoor furniture you want to still be using in five years — call (701) 690-5512 to find the right unit before Dickinson's first major snowfall.
Storage Unit of Dickinson offers clean, secure, and climate-controlled storage in Dickinson, ND — the right winter home for your outdoor furniture investment. Call (701) 690-5512 today to reserve your unit before the first snowfall arrives and get your patio furniture properly stored for the North Dakota winter season.