conservation
advice & treatment
storing glass with care
Research shows that even stable glass is sensitive to large fluctuations in relative humidity and should be stored in a stable environment with a relative humidity of 45%, within a tolerance of 5%. Glass is sensitive to sudden significant changes in temperature. The temperature should be kept as constant as possible at around 18°C.
It is important to keep glass surfaces free of dust and to store objects in an inert environment. Some sources recommend ensuring adequate air circulation, such as placing a fan inside a display case or storage cabinet.
Beyond this, recommendations for the proper storage of glass are object-specific. For example, objects with adhesive repairs or additions made from other materials may require specific environmental conditions, while objects susceptible to solarisation should not be exposed to UV light. Store objects in their natural position whenever possible: chandeliers should remain suspended, and stained-glass panels should remain standing.
For advice on creating and maintaining appropriate environmental conditions, responsible storage methods, and object- or collection-specific recommendations, consult a glass conservator.
Enamel-coated storage cabinets with lockable glass panel doors at Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. An inert storage solution that minimises dust accumulation while allowing the glass objects to remain visible. PHOTO M. Slager
Right: Objects placed on Museum Art Foam 151, a lightweight, load-distributing, homogeneous closed-cell inert foam that can easily be cut to size and provides a soft but stable support for glass objects. PHOTO M. Slager
It is important to monitor carefully the environment around glass objects. PHOTO M. Slager
