When Is It Best to Use the Attic for Storage
Need extra storage but not sure where the best place to store things are? Are you weighing out whether to store in the garage, the attic, under the beds, or do you rent an extra offsite storage facility? Many times the determining factor depends on a multitude of reasons. Some of the most important considerations usually pertain to the geographical temperatures and home construction factors for using an attic storage space.
Geography plays a Part for Use
If you live in an area that homes don’t have accessible and useable basements, then you are more likely to use your attic spaces for that extra storage.
If you are in an area where the temperatures are often very hot, your attic temperatures will be even more magnified unless you have a well insulated or spray foamed attic to reduce the higher temperatures. This will restrict the types of items that are acceptable to store in higher heat.
Home Construction Factors
Ease of access- Walk-in attic space vs ceiling opening
Temperature variants- Atmosphere controlled vs non-atmospheric control- heat, moisture, etc.
Things to Avoid Storing in Non-Atmospheric Controlled Attics
Clothing - temperatures and environment can cause premature yellowing and fiber breakdown in fabrics
Photographs- temperatures and environment can cause premature yellowing and cracking on surface
Wood furniture- expansion and contraction in severe temperatures can cause warping around joints, doors and drawers
Vinyl records - temperatures and improper storage can cause warping
Old Books - book binding glues can deteriorate
Determining What to Store
If you don’t need it, let it go instead of giving it a home. Many times items go to the attic graveyard only to be forgotten about and eventually discarded after many years of sitting and collecting dust.
Proper Storage Materials for Attics
Know your pests that are local to your area, especially if you have just moved to a new home in a new area
If you live in areas where particular native bugs are prone to the environment, be sure to take the necessary precautions to keep them at bay whether it be setting rodent traps, insect bait traps, or other items for keeping other potential invaders at bay from invading your items n storage. For example I live in the south and we have a particular bug here that really loves to eat the glue on the tape that holds cardboard boxes together resulting in box strength disintegration over time. This also pertains to book binding glues so books would need to be stored in sealed containers to prohibit any damage.
I prefer to eliminate cardboard storage for these reasons, and for moisture and humidity damage as well. I prefer to use bins that have seal tight lids to keep out unwanted critters and dust. Using clear bins will help you to see what you have inside easier, but always be sure to label well with clearly visible, large legible labels. If clear bins are used, you can also write in large letters on paper and put inside of the bin legible to the outside. If attic lighting is dim be sure to install the brightest lights available.
Storage Ideas for Attics
Attic Maxx (tress shelving)
Using the support beams on the angled walls increases extra storage available and allows for bins to be tucked away neatly. Also this helps with eliminating extra weight on the attic flooring, which is many times just plywood sheets nailed onto beam supports.
Shelving for bin storage
Anytime you can add shelving for bin support is also helpful. This makes for quick access to specific storage bins and alleviates having to move things to get to what you are looking for.
Vertical Storage Solutions
Taking advantage of areas where you can use hooks and rods for hanging items will help with keeping flooring space open. These work well with holiday decorations like wreaths and larger items.
