Safe and Secure Self Storage Tips for Antiques
Antique items and furniture often have great monetary and sentimental value. As such, they’re also pieces we want to preserve and protect. Knowing the best methods to store your antiques in safe and secure self storage units can prove useful, especially if you’re planning on moving or just don’t have the space to keep the antiques in your home anymore.
To help homeowners prevent storage-related problems for their most valuable possessions, we made this guide that covers the most important tips and considerations for packing and storing antiques.
Points to consider before choosing a safe and secure self-storage facility:
Climate-controlled storage units
Extreme temperatures and rapid climate changes can spell disaster for your antiques. With a climate-controlled unit, the contents maintain their temperature regardless of the climate conditions. This prevents humidity and infestations that may damage your items.
Easy access
Storage facilities can either have storage units that are out on the open or inside a warehouse with multiple floors. As much as possible, you’ll want a location that provides easy access, preferably on the ground level of the facility. The further you need to transport your antiques, the more chances of damage.
Insurance
As much as we don’t want anything to happen to our precious heirlooms, it’s important to have insurance as an extra layer of protection. Valuable antiques are difficult or impossible to replace, but at least we get sufficient compensation on the unlikely chance that something does happen.
Security
This is easily the most important consideration. Look for a self storage facility that has surveillance cameras, alarms, fences, and other safety devices. Also, ask what their security measures are when it comes to preventing the entry of unauthorised individuals.
Tips on how to pack and store antiques:
Don’t skimp on packing materials
Bubble-wrap usually does a good job of providing cushioning for old items. If you’d like a greener and more affordable option, however, consider using old sheets, towels, and other cloth items to wrap your antiques. For mirrors and paintings, use cardboard corners.
Avoid stacking furniture
Antique furniture should never be stacked. If possible, you can dismantle them, but if you’re not sure how to, it may be better to load them to the safe and secure self storage unit as they are. Also, don’t place mirrors and paintings in a horizontal position. They should be standing on end inside the unit.
Apply the proper protective coating
Wooden items and furniture can fare better with a little furniture polish. Leather products should also be applied with leather conditioner, while metal objects can be wiped with a little bit of oil.
Wrap every small antique
Time makes our precious heirlooms more brittle. This is why smaller antiques need all the cushioning they can get. It may seem tedious, but you’ll need to wrap each glassware and other fragile items carefully, paying special attention to covering the edges and corners.