You can certainly store vinyl records in your garage, but it is usually a bad idea. The environment is just too variable and harmful to vinyl. However, if you have a climate controlled garage, then it ends up being like the indoors of your home. In that case, it would be safer to store your vinyl there.
Contents
- 1 What temperature will damage vinyl records?
- 2 Where should you not store vinyl records?
- 3 Can vinyl records be damaged by cold?
- 4 Can records get ruined in the cold?
- 5 At what temp does vinyl warp?
- 6 What temp does vinyl siding warp?
- 7 How do you store Vinyl on a shelf?
- 8 How do you store vinyl records without covers?
- 9 Is it OK to store records flat?
- 10 Can records be stored outside?
- 11 Do records freeze?
What temperature will damage vinyl records?
Any temperatures at or below freezing point (0°C) cause brittleness, which increase the risk of breaking. And thawing afterwards increases risk of mold and mildew. However, the real risk is heat. From 212°F (100°C) you start seeing significant damage to your records like warping and groove distortions.
Where should you not store vinyl records?
Here is a brief summary of things to avoid: Attic storage: If they are not temperature controlled, attics typically get far too hot for long-term vinyl record storage. Cellar storage: Basements and cellars are usually the right temperatures, but in many homes, they will be too humid to store a record.
Can vinyl records be damaged by cold?
Records do become brittle in temperatures lower than freezing (zero degrees Celsius & 32 Farenheit). Therefore, the cold temperatures will not directly damage your vinyl records. Instead, the water produced during the condensation process will do the job of ruining your records.
Can records get ruined in the cold?
No, cold should be fine for your vinyl. If it got warm in the day and back to cold at night, that would not be ideal. But anything other than a hot muggy summer is better than what many collections go through.
At what temp does vinyl warp?
“A typical vinyl record can start warping due to heat at a temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) and can melt at temperatures exceeding 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius),” the outlet reported.
What temp does vinyl siding warp?
Typically, most vinyl siding products will start to melt and warp when they reach 160 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. On darker colored siding, temperatures have been recorded of nearly 220° F in the area where reflected light is hitting.
How do you store Vinyl on a shelf?
Vinyl records need to be stored in an upright position to ensure they stay in good condition. Records that have been stored at a slant for an extended period of time can warp because of the uneven pressure that has been placed on them. This is why records are often kept in crates that position them upright.
How do you store vinyl records without covers?
Put a soft paper towel or even better a piece of scrap cloth in between each record to keep them from touching.
- Keep them away from moisture. Moisture is one of the worst enemies of records.
- Avoid sunlight.
- Don’t stack your records.
- Clean your records regularly.
- Touching your records.
Is it OK to store records flat?
Records shouldn’t be stored horizontally, or flat. Storing vinyl records flat can place too much pressure on the records lower in the stack causing damage over time. Never leave records leaning at angles when in a box or on a shelf, this will cause the vinyl to warp.
Can records be stored outside?
As long as you’re not storing your collection outside, this should be fine, but it’s still worth mentioning. Make sure you reduce open-air exposure by always putting records back into their sleeves. You should also avoid direct sunlight and limit indirect sunlight on your records.
Do records freeze?
A “freeze” is created when the agency records officer receives a hold notice for records not in their physical custody but in the custody of an FRC and asks NARA to create a freeze to halt premature disposition of the records.
