How to best protect your valuable artwork from the elements

According to a recent NPR report, an investment in fine art has the potential to give you a financial return equal to putting your money in the S&P 500-stock index. Art also has the advantage of being a tangible asset that also adds beauty to your home, and it's something you can enjoy on a daily basis. However, having your investment on display does have its disadvantages, as the elements can take a toll on your beautiful pieces. Take special steps to protect your pieces against the elements.

Dirt.

You may not think that a little dust could harm your paintings, but if you don't carefully clean off your paintings on a regular basis, a layer of grime could accumulate on your acrylic or oil paintings that could permanently ruin their appearance. In addition, some dust may contain minute hard elements that could actually scratch the surface of your paintings.

Sunlight.

Avoid placing your valuable artwork in direct sunlight. Over time, the sun's rays will cause a painting's vibrant colors to fade or ruin the finish on your other valuable pieces. Of course, some rooms are designed with so many windows that finding a suitable location out of the sun may be next to impossible. In that case, consider purchasing cellular blinds, which filter out harmful UV rays. In addition, rotate the artwork in your home to prevent any one piece from getting too much exposure to the sun.

Temperature.

Keep the rooms in which your paintings or artwork are displayed at about 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Extreme temperature changes can cause the material to expand and contract, which could severely damage your investment. That means you shouldn't turn down the heat way down in the winter or the air off in the summer while you are away at work or on vacation to save money on your utility bills.

Humidity.

Keep the relative humidity in the room your artwork is displayed at about 55 to 65 percent. Depending on where you live, that could mean investing in either a whole-house dehumidifier for the summer months or a humidifier for the winter.

Water.

When choosing a location to place your artwork, think about the potential hazards above and around your pieces. For example, don't place a painting in a room that has a washing machine or a bathroom above it. If a toilet were to overflow or the washer's water line ruptured, you could end up with severe water damage to your artwork. Also remember to raise any large, valuable pieces (such as statues) off the ground by six to eight inches, in case a pipe bursts while you are away or your house becomes flooded.

Taken from: Guest Post (article, By Caroline Piper), Google (images).