Our Blog Info

Get in touch and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Climate controlled storage

Published by Chenelle on

Climate controlled storage facilities in Dubai are perfect to preserve your precious artwork, furs, wines and even antiques.

Regular storage facilities might not cut it in certain situations. They might end up damaging your items in the long run. We say this because certain things tend to be extremely sensitive to external forces and temperature. Without proper care and right facilities, preserving them in the long run might be impossible. In fact, it might end up damaging your items and potentially leaving them unusable. Which can be a major waste of money as well.

It goes beyond just a simple air conditioned facility. Climate controlled units must maintain a controlled environment right throughout. Rain or shine, some items must be stored in a facility whose environment is regulated constantly. Depending on where you are located, you will be offered units that control other climatic features such as humidity. This is fundamentally what separates a regular storage unit from climate-controlled storage units.

This is why temperature-controlled storage can be beneficial to preserve the quality of your items over time. They can be on the pricier side of the spectrum. However considering the preservation and maintenance of the overall quality of your items, it might be worth the price you pay for it.

Items that might need to be stored in climate controlled facilities include furniture, artwork and paintings, electronics, antiques photographs and certain clothing items.

Humidity-controlled storage

Controlling humidity is important to avoid moisture build up to avoid problems such as mildew and mould. Infestation of pests can also result due to bad humidity. Overall, it is important to maintain this feature in any storage facility. Without this, it would cause your items to be damaged and lose their quality over time.

What exactly is it?

Extreme levels of humidity in storage units can be detrimental to your belongings. Storage units that control environment and temperature ensure such extreme levels of humidity are controlled. A system called HVAC and commercial grade dehumidifiers are used to keep humidity and levels of temperature at bay. HVAC includes Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning. We know that excess moisture will result in mould and mildew on your items. This will especially be harmful if your storing valuable artwork or photographs and even clothing items in storage. Dehumidifiers will pull out this moisture and maintain favourable levels of humidity.

Air-conditioned storage units

Air-conditioned storage is not the same as climate controlled storage. You can decide whether you wish to keep your items in either option based on the sensitive nature of your items and how long you wish to keep them in storage.

Air conditioned storage typically tends to retain much colder temperatures. Items that would get damaged if they were to be kept in extremely warm temperatures will benefit from this type of storage.

Heated storage units

Heated storage units are the opposite of Air-conditioned storage. During winter time, heated storage will act as a source of warmth to keep customers’ belongings warm. If wooden furniture, electronic devices and fabric is what you plan to keep in storage, cold temperature can be detrimental to them. In fact, they will be damaged in the long run. This type of storage is beneficial in countries with extremely cold temperatures during the winter. Risks to items can be mitigated, saving you a lot of money and the stress of wondering whether your items are safe or not. Items such as vehicles, electronics, instruments, leather and appliances are some items you can keep in heated storage.

Heated storage units have many benefits and advantages to them. They come with heat sensors that have been affixed internally. Despite the temperature externally, your items will remain nice and warm.

Heated storage units are also monitored by staff members. This ensures temperature remains constant avoiding potential fluctuations.

Cold storage units

Food items and medicine are things that will benefit largely by cold storage units. Specially the storage of vaccines. This concept is not something new and it has been in use for many years now. When well refer to cold storage though we refer to warehousing and commercial level storage units. It is economically vital since cold storage will make your items last longer, and retain overall quality and freshness.

In a highly commercialised setting, you will see warehouses with hi-tech systems in place to ensure coldness is retained. It is not only food and pharmaceutical items that will need cold or frozen storage. Anything and everything that requires to be kept in a cold environment to preserve its quality can be kept in cold storage.

Types of cold storage

Cold storage is of two types. Frozen storage units and cold storage units. Frozen storage units retain temperatures below 0 degrees.  Refrigerated facilities retain temperatures between 0 and 10 degrees.

Cold storage units are ideal to keep food items in storage. These are mostly refrigerator type facilities. They have been built to retain freshness and preserve the overall shelf life of food by avoiding spoilage.

Warehouses with freezers on the other hand are ideal to store medicine and pharmaceutical products. They are built to retain a constant level of temperature to avoid damage to the product.

Nonetheless, the type of storage you pick will inevitably depend on the type of product and the duration in which you want to keep it in storage.

Where warehouses are concerned, you will find just the warehouse or ones with racking installed. Or those that contain both. These form an integral part of the storage unit since it offers customers options on what they want. At the end of the day, maintaining a regular temperature is what is most important.

A few basics

Before you choose this option, there are a few things for you to consider. One of them is the price of cold storage. They are a tad expensive in comparison to regular warehousing. This is because cold storage is complex and uses the best technology to ensure items are well protected. The amount of manpower used to run the facilities is also factored in where the -price is concerned. Ensuring that temperatures remain constant and the welfare of employees when operating in freezing temperatures are other important factors to consider.

Temperature-controlled storage for Artwork

Did you know that you also keep artwork and paintings in temperature controlled solutions? You might benefit from this solution if you are an avid collector of art or are an artist. We understand how difficult finding a decent place to store for your artwork can be.

A nice piece of artwork can quite literally light up an entire room. Or wall. Are you an avid art collector on the hunt for reliable storage spaces for your artwork? Or maybe you have a few valuable artwork on your wall that you now need to keep in storage. Then we will tell you a few things for you to consider. Whichever it is, as a person who values art and knows its importance, you will go to great lengths to cherish and preserve them.

Storage units contain dry and clean spaces for your artwork. Fluctuating levels of humidity and temperature will be damaging to artwork. So as a result, levels of moisture and temperature are regulated to preserve its quality.

A climate-controlled environment

If you are planning on keeping your precious artwork in storage, then a climate controlled solution would be ideal. Both humidity and temperature are maintained and kept at bay. Despite whether your pieces of art are large or small. For a storage company offering this solution, it is imperative that they stay updated with new technology. Since this is an ever evolving area of storage. Conservation of artwork is after all entirely different from all else. They fall within the category of high value items.

Where modern artwork is concerned, they must be stored in a controlled environment. For instance, if they are based on wax, extreme heat with damage them almost instantly. It is likely to even affect the lifespan of your artwork. We understand that creating them, to begin with, isn’t easy since it is a tedious task. Creativity takes time after all. Keeping your art stored in a temperature that is constant will protect and preserve them in the long run.

Climate-controlled storage will not be required for artwork you plan on exhibiting outdoors. Since they would be stable in any kind of environment, wouldn’t matter what environment you store them in.

Controlling Humidity

Humidity control is as vital as temperature control when preserving artwork. Like extremely high temperatures can cause damage to artwork, humidity can damage paintwork too. Like causing it to be too brittle or dry. To retain its optimal quality, they must be stored in a humidity level of 55%. Despite the cost of maintaining artwork, it can never cover the long term damage not caring for the artwork is likely to cause.

Controlling light

Light can be harmful for artwork if they are exposed to it all the time. Like ultraviolet light rays for instance. They can be extremely damaging for leather, paper, paint etc… Finding a storage solution that has clocked out light can be advantageous for you. Most storage solutions in the current day and age will silter our excess UV rays. Adding a layer of protection to your artwork should they be stored near windows.

Pests

Lets discuss the pests. They are a direct result of not controlling humidity and temperature. Excess moisture can cause a bug or even rat infestation within the facility. This is extremely damaging to pieces of art, especially ones of high value. A temperature controlled facility seals off all passages of air to the point where not a breeze of external air could seep in. Including pests, Ofcourse.

Damage and destruction caused by pests are almost irreparable. Since they tend to bite and nibble things, which is devastating to artwork of high value. This is why you must consider opting for temperature-controlled storage to regular storage. Since the damage from insects is irreparable. Using chemicals can be an option albeit damaging to your artwork in the long run.

Pollutants from the atmosphere

We hardly consider the effect pollutants have on artwork. But truth is they can cause damage to the artwork if stored incorrectly. Dust, harmful air mixed with chemicals and even pollen must be kept away at all times. Climate controlled storage does just since it seals everything tight making it impossible for external pollutants to seep in.

Temperature controlled storage for wine

It is not uncommon for customers to keep wine in storage. Specially if maintaining your own cellar is difficult, then climate controlled solutions are available for you. If collecting wine is your passion, then insufficient space shouldn’t stop you from pursuing your passion. Wine storage units are now available and they are helpful in aging your wine to perfection. With various sizes in store, keep your wine in a temperature controlled storage unit at affordable rates and options. From small cases to commercial grade requirements, it is just a matter of finding the solution that fits your requirement best.

Apart from climatic conditions, storage solutions are safe with constant access, monitoring and surveillance offered throughout.

Conditions matter

Wine is a liquid and typically they must be stored between 55 to 58 degrees. The air is also vital. If a cork lid covers your wine, it is fairly known that cork breathes when in storage. In order for your wine to taste crisp and nice, it must be stored in a space with clean air.

The temperature can not be too cold, nor can it be too hot. Most storage providers offering wine storage has systems of cooling and heating in place. To ensure the conditions are just right, you will also find humidity control systems in place as well.

Minimum exposure to UV light is also imperative when ageing wine is considered. This is typically what most wine cellars are found underground, far away from any sort of light.

Climate controlled storage units for antiques

Are you an avid collector of antiques? If so you would know that antiques are indeed fragile items. They are prone to be damaged if they are not given the proper care and attention they deserve. Antiques gain value the older they are. However, they lose value of they are damaged. Losss of financial value is probably the worst thing that could happen to a valuable antique in light of damage. Whether it is an heirloom that has been passed on through generations or even a valuable purchase of yours. Here are some tips for you to follow when considering the steps you should follow when keeping your items in storage.

How are antiques prone to damage?

Is your home flooded with natural light? This could either be through windows or even roof settings. If your antiques are clad with cloth, then this could be detrimental. Colours for instance tend to fade as sunlight streams onto them. Even wooden finishes can be damaged as a result.

Water and mosture are not an antique’s greatest of companions. They can quite simply destroy them if overexposed. Prints and fine wooden details can be damaged and even weakened. Humidity is even likely to warp the structure of antiques.

Heat in excess can damage antiques and their structure. Heat is rendered through sunlight. What it does is that it causes strands of wood to expand, thereby warping its overall structure. Apart from this adhesives can even melt and cause the fading of paint and inq found in prints.

Just as excessive heat is detrimental to antiques, so are extremely cold temperatures. Materials that the antique is composed of can contract. This results in the brittle nature of antiques which is prone to damage at the slightest gesture or movement.

Benefits of climate controlled storage for your antiques

We suggest you keep your antiques stored in a climate controlled unit. This enables the regulation of temperature, hot or cold as required by your items. The ability to adjust the temperature during hot or cold months is a huge plus point.

Prior to keeping your items in storage, we suggest you give them a nice clean up session. This removes impurities and dust particles, if any. Antiques are valuable, handling them with gloves avoids them from being covered with finger prints.

Ensure you label the boxes you choose to keep them stored in as fragile. This lets anyone handling the crate or box know that they are handling fragile goods that must be handled with care.

Storage units that control heat and humidity we think are the perfect solution for the long term storage of antiques. Not only would they be safe but are also tucked away safe from rodents and pests.