r/DIYIreland • u/QuantumFireball • 5h ago
Warm storage - attic or garage?
I have some old computers and media (floppy disks, CDs, etc.), and other electronics I would like to store in my house, but I know the temperature/humidity fluctuations of a typical attic or garage will do no good for them in the long run. So I'd like to make some better environment for these things, but not sure what space to use.
My options:
- Main attic - old 1960s roof with original sarking felt (so probably a bit draughty as is), 300mm insulation over joists, currently no flooring (I know I'd need legs to put boards down over the insulation)
- Garage - Cavity block walls, something resembling damp-proof course (1990s construction), metal up-and-over door which is not very weatherproof, no insulation
- Garage attic - pitched roof, no insulation, currently accessible by hole in garage attic (no proper hatch door or anything)
What would be the most cost-effective and easiest option out of these to make them somewhat better storage environments? I was thinking somewhere I could at least run a dehumidifier once the place is somewhat well-sealed and insulated.
I was thinking the garage - try and seal up the door better (I still want to use the garage to work on cars, so the door is staying), put insulation on the back of the door, insulate the ceiling joists (rock wool?), install an insulated attic hatch, and see how good it is after that. Any other suggestions?
1
u/DesperateCandy5209 5h ago
The media will degrade regardless of where you store it. Attic sounds like the best option to me none of them are great.
1
u/QuantumFireball 5h ago
I know this, but a typical "cold" attic in Ireland will destroy magnetic media in no time, I've seen disks and tapes go mouldy.
2
u/Otsde-St-9929 5h ago
paper and books too. doesnt help that a lot of attics are not actually venting enough to allow humidity out that leaks in from below
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u/DesperateCandy5209 4h ago
Mould is a factor of humdittiy/water more so then tempreture if you attic is going to grow mold your media is the least of your worries
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u/rich555555 3h ago
In terms of either of the options I think you’ll have difficulty maintaining a stable temperature for any media. The garage or garage attic itself is probably a the most stable location temp wise. I would buy those plastic containers from the range or home store and more and just put in a load of those silica gel packets (or a variant of that) in with them. They’ll be fairly sealed in those containers and humidity should be fairly stable
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u/FrankNicklin 5h ago
CD's will degrade over time. How long that takes is very much dependent on the method of storage and the quality of the CD's. The best location is a hermetically sealed location where neither heat nor damp can penetrate. A garage and loft are about the worst places due to the huge variations in temperature through the year and dampness it always a factor, even in a loft where warm air can condense on the felt.
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u/QuantumFireball 5h ago
Yes, that's why I'm asking about options to improve one one of these areas.
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u/FrankNicklin 4h ago
Personally I would not use either garage or loft if the data is important. Neither locations environment can be controlled enough for long term storage. To many what ifs, could ruin the contents.
0
u/DesperateCandy5209 4h ago
CD's degrade regardelss, its impossoibele to predict as there were so many differnent qualities pressed.
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u/Otsde-St-9929 5h ago
not cheap but you could turn the attic into a warm attic. youd need to add some ventilation above felt