A climate-controlled art storage facility is the gold standard of the art market. Nobody wants to entrust their precious masterpieces to storage providers with unstable, fluctuating environmental conditions because of art’s vulnerability to climate change. However, art storage with a climate control system is not always an end-to-end protection for your art. Unfortunately, art objects can be damaged in many other ways we’re covering below.

The Power of Climate-Controlled Art Storage

It would be short-sighted to diminish the role of climate-controlled art storage in art preservation. In fact, it’s a must for all types of art, whether it’s an Old Master or a piece of contemporary art. Climate control should always be used in art storage facilities, as it keeps a stable environment and prevents mold growth, cracking of wooden elements, and oil flaking on canvases. Thus, climate control systems are powerful tools for art preservation in an intact condition.

Risks That a Storage Facility Can’t Cover

While climate control is a must, it is still not a universal shield against all types of art damage. It can only preserve art in a condition in which it has arrived at the storage facility, while improper handling during transit may cause mechanical damage. Besides, artwork may suffer damage in improperly equipped storage facilities or those operated by a poorly trained team, such as wrongful art stacking or accidental dropping, even when a robust climate control system is put in place.

Another limitation that climate control can’t help with is the presence of inherent material flaws in the artwork. Some pieces of art come with internal vulnerabilities because of the type of material used or the nuances of their construction. In these cases, degradation can happen irrespective of storage conditions, even in a perfectly controlled and stable environment.

Finally, it’s important to keep security threats in mind when thinking of art protection. While a climate-controlled storage vault is surely a wise solution that will ensure a certain degree of intactness, art objects also happen to become targets of vandalism or theft. Therefore, every reputable art storage should also implement robust security measures and allow only authorized staff to access restricted storage areas.

Fine Art Shippers Has a Storage Facility That Meets All Protection Standards

If you need a storage facility that implements a high-quality climate control system and has all the protective measures needed beyond climate control, we have a solution. Our museum-grade storage in Upper Manhattan meets all rigorous quality standards and can provide end-to-end security for all artwork types. Contact our team today to learn how we can help preserve your art.