Top Benefits of Covered Vehicle Storage in Houston’s Hot Climate
Houston, TX, is known for its scorching heat, abundant sunshine, and the kind of humidity that makes you feel like you’re melting. While you can escape the heat by staying indoors with AC to cool you down, your boat, classic car, work truck, or weekend RV doesn’t have the same opportunity while parked outside or in a garage.
Leaving a vehicle out in the sun and Houston’s elements can quickly devalue it with consistent exposure to varying weather conditions. Covered vehicle storage is one of the smartest investments you can make to protect your vehicle, and our guide from Premium Spaces will show you how.
Protection Against UV Rays
Houston is not short on sunshine, so naturally, it often has a high UV index, with average daily highs around the low-to-mid 90s° F in the summer, exposing your vehicles to extreme heat. Direct sunlight can damage its appearance and interior quality in the following ways:
1. Faded Paint
Over time, the sun’s rays oxidize your vehicle’s clear coat and paint. What started as a vibrant red or deep black can fade into a dull, chalky version of itself. Covered storage helps shield your vehicle from this constant UV assault, helping your paint finish stay rich and glossy for years longer.
2. Cracked Dashboards and Interiors
Dashboard and interior damage is perhaps the most visible and frustrating. The Houston sun can cook your cabin. The intense heat and UV exposure cause plastics and vinyl—like your dashboard, steering wheel, and door panels—to dry out, become brittle, and crack. Leather seats can also fade and stiffen. Covered storage helps maintain a cooler interior temperature, which can slow down the breakdown of this type of material.
3. Engine Damage
It’s not just the outside that is damaged by the heat—the mechanics suffer, too. Leaving a vehicle in the sun for too long can cause engine problems, like overheating.
Covered vehicle storage can help prevent fluid degradation in oil and coolant, as well as the accelerated wear on rubber and plastic parts like hoses and seals, which can lead to brittleness and potential leaks. This can potentially help you avoid costly mechanical failures.
The Effect of Humidity and the Elements on Vehicles
Heat isn’t the only thing you have to worry about when leaving your boat, car, or RV in the outdoors—Houston is also known for its humidity. The combination of moisture and exposure to the elements can take a serious toll, causing damage such as:
- Rust and corrosion. This can happen in your vehicle’s framework, body panels, and even electronics.
- Dust and debris. Wind blows dirt, dust, and pollen, which can settle on your vehicle. Over time, this build-up can scratch your paint, especially if you wipe it off improperly.
- Storms. Houston gets its fair share of thunderstorms, and hail could cost you thousands in repairs.
Select Premium Spaces storage facilities in Houston offer indoor vehicle storage, allowing you to park your compact vehicle in a space surrounded by four walls. This setup helps prevent dust and debris accumulation and serves as a shield from the weather.
Maintaining Resale Value
Whether you plan to keep your vehicle for two years or twenty, its condition directly determines its value. A boat with faded paint, cracked components, or internal damage is worth less than one that has been meticulously cared for over the years.
Covered vehicle storage is similar to long-term insurance. The monthly cost is a small price to pay compared to the depreciation and costly repairs that result from leaving your vehicle exposed to Houston’s harsh climate.
Rent Your Covered Vehicle Storage Space With Premium Spaces
Ultimately, covered vehicle storage brings you peace of mind, knowing your car, RV, or boat is shielded from UV rays, hail, and moisture. It’s an easy solution that actively maintains your vehicle’s condition and value.
Are you ready to rent Houston, TX, car storage? Create space in your garage or driveway and park it at one of our Premium Spaces storage facilities in Houston, TX, today! Contact us online and visit our FAQ page if you have any questions.