Shipping furniture is always a delicate task that gets even more responsible when it comes to fine antique furniture. Due to their large size and impressive dimensions, many furniture items cannot be handled as usual. More than that, the owner (as well as the furniture shipping company they hire) has to take into account major causes of preventable damage, such as poorly controlled ambient environment, careless use and maintenance, and inadequate packing for transportation. These points for consideration are critical in case you wish to get all your antiques intact from the auction house, an old residence, or the previous owner. Here is a couple of professional furniture handling tips from Fine Art Shippers to save your money, nerves, and property.
Preventive Care: The Environment
Owners of antiques sometimes neglect the basic preventive care measures to preserve their property. As a result, if some damage occurs during transportation, they tend to blame the white glove furniture delivery company for the problem. However, upon a close examination, it often comes out that the owner ignored expert recommendations (e.g., keeping the optimal humidity for storage of wooden furniture at no more than 50%, keeping the temperature as low as 500F, etc.). Obviously, it’s rarely possible to create ideal conditions for antiques’ preservation (such as a dark, anaerobic environment minimizing the antique’s contact with anything and anyone), but it’s still vital to follow art advisor’s tips to maximize the lifetime of your valuable property.
Improper Packing
Experts of Smithsonian Foundation pointed out that a surprisingly frequent damage occurring when shipping furniture is that from daylight. Fragile and old furniture items are highly susceptible to light, and in case of prolonged exposure to daylight, furniture may get discolored or bleached. Thus, it’s vital to plan everything in advance and prepare your antiques for the relocation by covering them with non-transparent, durable polychrome material.
Other Issues to Consider When Shipping Furniture
In case you ship furniture across long distances, and have it stored somewhere for some time, we recommend taking care of such issues as:
- Biopredation;
- Insect infestation;
- Rodents;
- Mold, mildew, and fungi.
As you can see, shipping furniture is not that easy even for objects in a relatively good condition. Keep our tips in mind not to damage your precious belongings or contact us to get a free quote for the white glove furniture shipping service. At Fine Art Shippers, we can handle and ship antiques of any type, with the utmost care and in compliance with all safety precautions!