should i store my albums in a plastic sheath

#Should i store my albums in a plastic sheath full#
#Should i store my albums in a plastic sheath windows#

Having multiple compartments makes it easy to avoid excessive leaning, which can cause damage over time.

They come in a variety of finishes and sizes, with each unit sporting perfectly sized compartments for housing records. These simple storage units are basically synonymous with vinyl records by this point, and they make great affordable storage for small to medium-sized collections. The easy option is to purchase an IKEA KALLAX shelving unit. Almost any cabinet can become a great record storage unit, it just needs appropriately sized compartments, and it MUST be sturdy enough to support the weight of your collection. In the meantime, below are our top picks to get you started.

#Should i store my albums in a plastic sheath full#

We don’t want any record landslides taking place! Recommended Vinyl Record Storage Cabinetsįor a full range of cabinet options, also check out our guide to the best vinyl record storage solutions. You can buy record dividers to help with space and separation if necessary.Īlso, don’t overload your storage cabinet or container in a way that risks collapse. Small compartments designed to help break up record collections are your friend in this instance.ĭifferent sized records are also best kept apart, so that means compartmentalizing your collection by 12″, 10″, 7″, etc. That means you shouldn’t stack too many records in one compartment, and you should always leave plenty of space to easily flip through your records. You’ll also want to avoid any excessive pressure on groups of records, even when stored vertically. Vinyl accessories company, Big Fudge offer a good affordable solution here with their crystal clear outer sleeves.Īs established earlier, the fundamental rule about storing records in any unit is they must be stored vertically.

Polypropylene is your best bet for crystal clear clarity that really makes the artwork pop! The best outer record sleeves are made from Polypropylene or polyethylene. The result is a misting effect on the record, which is audible as hiss. The theory is, because vinyl records are also made from PVC (an oil-based product), the two items can merge given the wrong climate. PVC-based products can cause contamination and serious damage to your records. Traditionally, collectors would buy thick plastic PVC outer sleeves – don’t do that! To protect your artwork, and prevent airborne dust contaminating the record when stored, you also need to invest in outer record sleeves. So much so that identical competitor copies are now extremely common (and often cheaper) Check out the Invest In Vinyl Sleeves, which are some of the best inner record sleeves based on the MoFi “rice paper” style. The original polyethylene inner sleeves by MoFi are now considered an industry-standard record sleeve. The safest option is to replace the standard sleeve with a higher-quality polyethylene inner sleeve that will protect against static build-up and contamination. Most new records are shipped with standard paper inner sleeves, which transfer paper flakes onto your record’s surface and can even cause surface wear over time. Inner sleeves are the most critical component in proper vinyl storage, as they’re the only product that will come in direct contact with your records. Store Your Records in the Best Possible Record Sleeves Inner Sleeves If you can afford to do so, and you have the space, climate control via a de-humidifier is a great way to control humidity. If you’re unsure, you can purchase a hydrometer to monitor the humidity around your record storage area. A moderate stable environment is best – usually around 35-40% relative humidity. It’s best to store records in a relatively dry environment after all, you don’t want moisture causing mold or mildew problems on the jacket or record surface.Īll the same, if the environment is too dry, static could cause you a headache. Control Humidityĭepending on where you live, humidity might be an issue. Sunlight will also rapidly fade the colors on your artwork we’ve all seen those second-hand records with faded spines from light exposure over the years.

#Should i store my albums in a plastic sheath windows#

Aim to keep your precious records away from windows and direct sunlight, which can destroy your collection very quickly if left unchecked.