Quick Answer
Storing books in the garage can be okay in some situations but is generally not recommended. The fluctuating temperature and humidity levels typical of garages can damage books over time. However, if the books are properly protected and storage conditions controlled, a garage may work for short-term storage. Hardier books like cookbooks and textbooks may also withstand garage storage better than more delicate volumes.
Overview
Many people consider using their garage as storage space for overflow items from the home. Books are commonly part of this equation, especially for avid readers who have accumulated more volumes than their shelves can accommodate. At first glance, the garage seems like a convenient and obvious storage option. However, there are several factors to consider before storing books there even temporarily.
The main concerns with garage storage for books are temperature, humidity, pests, and light exposure. Most garages experience significant fluctuations in temperature and humidity levels, ranging from very hot and dry in summer to very cold and damp in winter. These conditions can warp covers, pages, and bindings as books expand and contract. High humidity encourages mold growth and pest infestations. Sunlight and fluorescent lights can also fade and damage book covers and pages over time.
Proper precautions can help mitigate some of these risks. Keeping books in closed cabinets, sturdy boxes, or wrap helps control light and humidity exposure. Storing books up off concrete floors also protects them from moisture. Climate control systems can regulate temperature swings in some garages. However, the effort and expense to store books safely in a garage may outweigh the benefits for most people.
The type of books intended for garage storage is another key factor. More durable books like cookbooks, textbooks, and workshop manuals printed on coated stock may withstand garage conditions fairly well, especially if protected. But fine editions and antique books require much more stringent climate control for preservation and should never be kept long-term in a normal garage environment.
Here are some key considerations when deciding whether to store books in the garage:
Temperature and Humidity Control
Temperature and humidity are two of the most damaging factors for books stored in garages:
– Most garages experience wide temperature swings from very hot in summer to freezing cold in winter. These dramatic changes cause books to expand and contract, warping covers and pages.
– Humidity is also typically high in garages, which allows mold to grow on book bindings and pages. High humidity causes moisture damage like warped pages and spines.
– Ideal conditions for book storage are temperatures under 70°F and humidity levels between 30-50%. Controlling these factors in a garage requires insulation, climate control systems, dehumidifiers, and careful monitoring.
– For short term garage storage, keep books in bins or cabinets to help regulate temperature and humidity. Long term storage will require more extensive climate control.
– Rare books, delicate paperbacks, and vintage editions are at high risk for damage without strict temperature and humidity control. These books should be stored elsewhere.
Pests
Pests like insects and rodents are attracted to the cellulose material in books:
– Garages often harbor pests who can access stored books as a food source. This puts pages and bindings at risk of damage.
– Bugs like silverfish, roaches, and beetles can eat away at book pages and covers when left unchecked in warm, humid conditions.
– Rodents like mice and rats will gnaw on book materials for nest building. They also deposit urine and feces which can stain or erode pages.
– Keep books in securely sealed archival plastic bins or storage containers to prevent pests from accessing them. This creates a physical barrier against bugs and rodents.
– Inspect books periodically for any pest damage like tunnels, droppings, or accumulations of insect bodies. Take infested books out of the garage immediately for treatment.
– Monitoring for pests with sticky traps and keeping the garage clean helps prevent bug and rodent access to stored books.
Sunlight Exposure
Sunlight and UV rays can irreversibly damage book pages and covers:
– Book paper and bindings fade, yellow, and become brittle when exposed to light over time. Antique and vintage books are especially sensitive.
– Book covers will sun-fade even when just near windows or garage door openings. Covers shelter inner pages somewhat but not 100%.
– Keep books protected in closed cabinets, sturdy opaque containers, or under wraps to block light exposure in the garage. Make sure containers have tight-fitting lids.
– For short term storage, moving books away from windows or covering with moving blankets can help limit fading. Install curtains over garage windows and doors.
– Long term garage storage will require more permanent modifications like tinting windows and installing UV filters or shielding. Rare book storage needs professional archival materials.
– Carefully monitor old books and fragile paperbacks for fading/brittleness if storing uncovered in a garage for any length of time.
Moisture from Concrete Floors
Exposure to concrete garage floors introduces moisture risks:
– Concrete readily absorbs water and moisture from the ground below. This moisture releases into the air and can condense on surfaces like books.
– Puddled water, car leakage, or high ambient humidity cause concrete to sweat moisture. Books resting on the concrete will absorb this dampness.
– Wet books encourage mold growth in the binding and pages. This causes stains, book deterioration, and potential health hazards.
– Use water-resistant storage bins, shelves, and bookcases to separate books from concrete garage floors. This breaks the moisture conduction path.
– Storage shelves and cabinets should have enclosed sides and backs to protect books from water splash. Include ventilation space below shelves.
– For short term use, place boxes/bins of books on wood pallets or moisture barriers like tarps or silicone mats. Elevate any book piles on strips of wood.
– Rare books or delicate materials should never sit directly on concrete, even if seemingly dry. A micro-climate of dampness still exists on the slab.
Protective Storage Options
Proper storage containers help safeguard books in garages:
– Use enclosed plastic storage bins, heavy duty cardboard boxes, or specialized book boxes to contain books and control conditions.
– Clear plastic lets you monitor books while protecting from pests, concrete moisture, and some humidity/light damage. It prevents warping from temperature swings.
– Acid-free cardboard archive boxes provide archival storage for delicate old books. Use only acid-free paper products inside.
– Cover books with tarps or moving blankets to control light exposure and dust if storage bins are not an option.
– For loose books, wrap in acid-free paper or slip into archival plastic sleeves for some protection.
– Shelves should have closed backs and sides. Make sure all containers have tight sealing lids. The goal is creating a microclimate.
– Only keep grated metal shelving units uncovered. Enclose wood or particleboard shelves completely to prevent off-gassing damage to books.
Monitoring and Maintenance
Books stored in a garage require careful ongoing inspection and maintenance:
– Check regularly for any signs of water damage, light fading, pest activity, or mold growth. Address issues immediately.
– Wipe down plastic bins and shelves periodically to control dust buildup. Open containers occasionally to ventilate books.
– Inspect books themselves at least seasonally. Watch for cover wear, loose hinges, and brittleness.
– Rotate books to even out any fading or damage issues. Move fragile volumes out of the garage entirely if concerned about rapid deterioration.
– Climate control systems, pest deterrents, and monitoring tools require proper maintenance to remain effective for book storage.
– Update storage methods if current approach allows books to remain damp, display sun fading, or incur pest damage. Improvement is an ongoing process.
– Keep garage free of clutter and food debris. Clean spills immediately to avoid moisture issues. Maintaining a clean, dry garage is fundamental.
Short Term vs Long Term Storage
The intended storage duration influences what precautions are necessary:
– For a handful of weeks, packing books tightly in plastic bins provides adequate short-term protection.
– Moving books out of the garage over summer or deploying temporary shade structures can help for a few months.
– Long term garage storage of a year or more requires investment in shelving, cabinets, archival containers, and perhaps humidity controls.
– Rare books should never remain in typical garage conditions for more than a few days without very careful climate and light control.
– Evaluate your specific garage and storage setup if considering keeping books for many months without turnover. See where you can make improvements for preservation.
– Garage storage exceeding 1-2 years will likely require conversion to a climate and light controlled archive room to safely store most books without damage.
Alternative Storage Locations
Other areas may provide safer book storage than the garage:
– Attics, closets & basement storage rooms offer more stable temperature and humidity conditions, though assess for mold and pests.
– Renting a climate controlled storage unit gives total control over the environment. Use archival grade bins and shelves.
– On-site storage sheds equipped with insulation, AC/dehumidifiers, and shelving can work for long term book collections.
– Off-site warehouse storage facilities let you customize climate conditions. There may be restrictions on accessing your stored property.
– Professional archival storage services exist specifically for delicate documents like rare books and historic records. This option gives the greatest preservation confidence.
– Even dividing books between these secondary locations is better than consolidating in the garage if investment is limited. Mix up storage environments.
Preservation Risk Levels by Book Type
Certain kinds of books are more vulnerable to garage conditions than others:
| Book Type | Preservation Risk |
|---|---|
| Rare first editions | Extremely High |
| Antique books | Extremely High |
| Vintage paperbacks | Very High |
| Old textbooks | High |
| Reference books | Moderate |
| Hardcover fiction | Moderate |
| Cookbooks | Low |
| Modern paperbacks | Low |
– Rare and antique books require the most stringent climate and light control. Garage storage carries too much preservation risk except for very short term.
– Vintage paperbacks and old textbooks printed on acidic paper are highly vulnerable to damage without careful storage preparations.
– Modern hardcover and paperback fiction books have longer-lasting coated pages but still require protection from pests, humidity, and sun exposure.
– Heavily used cookbooks and workshop manuals hold up better to less ideal conditions like those in garages. Their utility often outweighs appearance.
Weighing the Trade-Offs
Storing books in the garage requires balancing risks against rewards:
– Accessibility: Garage storage provides easy access for retrieving books versus attic or off-site storage.
– Existing Space Utilization: For avid readers or collectors, garage storage can accommodate overflow books without purging or paying for additional storage.
– Protection Investment: Safeguarding books in the garage requires spending on storage equipment and climate control improvements. Does the value of access outweigh these setup costs?
– Higher Risk: Even with protections, garage-stored books remain exposed to more threats than in climate controlled archive rooms. Will the anticipated storage duration jeopardize special books?
– Ongoing Maintenance: Garage storage space requires continued monitoring and maintenance efforts proportional to the value of books stored. Is this commitment sustainable long term?
– Alternatives: Other options like rotational basement storage, rental units, or professional archival services may better balance access and preservation for certain book collections.
Carefully weighing these considerations against your specific garage environment and types of books is important for deciding if garage book storage is a viable option even temporarily. Identify priorities and acceptable trade-offs.
Conclusion
Storing books in the garage is generally not recommended for long term preservation and archival storage. However, with proper precautions like temperature and humidity control, pest barriers, UV shields, and moisture protection, some garages can function as temporary storage solutions in a bind. The critical factor is the duration books remain there. Short term garage storage can work for hardier books, while rare volumes require professional facilities. Weigh risks like damage against benefits like accessibility for your situation. With vigilance and maintenance, garage book storage is possible but still carries inherent risks requiring mitigation.
