The Fine Art Of Keeping Your Fine Art In Storage

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Whether you're moving, remodeling your home or just need some extra space, your self-storage unit offers a relatively safe place to keep your precious works of art. But before you start moving your artwork into its temporary home, you'll want to learn how to keep your paintings, portraits and other fine art safe and sound while it's being stored.

Preparation is Crucial

While practice makes perfect when creating great art, it's preparation that makes for perfect fine art storage. Keep these tips in mind as you prepare your priceless works of art for storage:  

• If possible, make sure your paintings and other artwork are carefully and gently cleaned of dust and debris.
• Install cardboard corners on framed artwork to prevent damage and shore up the frame's strength.
• Use storage blankets or bubble wrap to pad and protect framed artwork. Use silicone-treated release liner and glassine paper to protect unframed works.
• Avoid rolling up unframed paintings, as this could cause the paint to crack.
• Avoid areas that may be exposed to direct heat or sunlight, as this can cause paintings to peel and fade over time.

Don't forget to inventory your artwork before placing it in storage. This way, you'll have an accurate account of what's being stored in case anything gets damaged or lost.

Keep Climate in Mind

Climate control is a crucial part of keeping your artwork intact while it's in storage. Sudden changes in temperature and humidity can lead to mold and mildew damage or cause artwork to shrink or stretch, resulting in damaged paint or a ruined canvas.

Even in a self-storage facility with climate control, you should take steps to ensure that relative humidity levels inside the storage unit are kept consistent. Make sure that temperatures inside the unit are kept around 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit with a relative humidity of 50 to 55 percent.

Avoid the Floor

Laying your prized paintings on the floor seems like a harmless thing to do, but it could lead to ruined artwork. Your storage unit's concrete walls and flooring can absorb and release excess moisture, making ground-floor storage a risky gambit for any art aficionado.

Steer clear of direct contact between your artwork and any nearby concrete surfaces. Instead, use racks or wooden pallets to keep your artwork several inches off the floor. For good measure, use acid-free boards to separate your paintings and portraits from other flat surfaces.    

Contact a storage facility, like Carolina Self Storage, for more help.

17 January 2018