Horizontal vs Vertical Record Storage – The Bottom Line:Įnsuring your records are stored vertically will go a long way toward protecting them for the long term.Īdding good quality inner sleeves and protective outer record sleeves and ensuring your records are housed in a safe storage unit will protect them further. More specialist products, such as the aptly named “ Vinyl Flat” are a safer option where the heat is applied gently and more consistently using a purpose-designed “vinyl flattener” product. Collectors have (over the years) contrived many DIY methods designed to “fix” a warped record, including placing the record between two sheets of glass and then applying heat using a conventional home oven, but this is fraught with risk. Once this happens, it is extremely difficult (and often impossible) to fix. If a record is left in extreme conditions, say in direct sunlight or a hot car, warping can happen very quickly indeed! So, the very forces that made your record in the first place (heat and pressure) can also bend the record out of shape. Records, which are made using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) can warp if exposed to excessive pressure, heat, or direct sunlight. While the issues of weight and pressure clearly increase with larger collections, I would advise erring on the side of caution and avoid horizontal storage for all collections great and small. If you live in a very humid climate, you can help reduce the potential for mold problems further by using humidity indicator cards (HIC) and moisture-absorbing desiccant cards.Ĭan I Store a Small Collection of Records Horizontally? Records stacked vertically have better airflow between them, which can help reduce pesky mold and mildew. Choosing a record becomes easier and more pleasurable.īetter Airflow: Heavy pressure can trap moisture between records over time and lead to mold buildup. AdvertisementsĮven better, you can now easily organize your collection alphabetically or with additional sub-genres. No need to pick up entire piles or attempt to pull a record out precariously from lower down the stack. Additional Benefits of Stacking Records Vertically:Įasier Browsing & Record Selection: Choosing the next record to spin on your deck is much easier when you can simply flick through shelves or record crates filled with vertically stacked records. If you have a large collection, it’s best to choose record storage cabinets with lots of small compartments, which effectively break your collection into smaller sub-sections. Providing the records aren’t leaning excessively on each other, the pressure and weight issues of horizontal vinyl record stacking is non-existent. Storing your records vertically dramatically reduces the risk of damage and makes browsing more convenient. Example of clear “ring wear” on an outer sleeve Why Storing Records Vertically is Best
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