Connecting to Collections Care

Hello,

What are recommendations for sealing exhibit cases? We'd like to be able to utilize humidity cassettes, but our standalone cases are so drafty that a cassette currently doesn't do anything. Especially for our cases for which the top opens, there is a significant gap between the top and the sides of the case. I've thought that something like weather stripping might work, particularly the brush/fiber style, but I'm wondering what might be safe to use.

Thank you for any suggestions.

Hi Courtney, 

Thank you for reaching out to the C2C Care Network! I do think gasketing is a good idea, and am following up with our experts about potential recommendations. can you give a little more information on the case setup? Is it a full bonnet that rests down onto a base? I've included a picture for clarity: 

I'll check back in soon with information from our experts!

All the best,

Liz

Hello,

What are recommendations for sealing exhibit cases? We'd like to be able to utilize humidity cassettes, but our standalone cases are so drafty that a cassette currently doesn't do anything. Especially for our cases for which the top opens, there is a significant gap between the top and the sides of the case. I've thought that something like weather stripping might work, particularly the brush/fiber style, but I'm wondering what might be safe to use.

Thank you for any suggestions.

Hello,

What are recommendations for sealing exhibit cases? We'd like to be able to utilize humidity cassettes, but our standalone cases are so drafty that a cassette currently doesn't do anything. Especially for our cases for which the top opens, there is a significant gap between the top and the sides of the case. I've thought that something like weather stripping might work, particularly the brush/fiber style, but I'm wondering what might be safe to use.

Thank you for any suggestions.

Hi Courtney,

If the problem can be solved by filling in the gaps, you can try Backer Rod. It's expanded polyethylene in various diameters, as well as a triangular shape, and it can be purchased in rolls at a hardware store or online. All colors are fine to use. While we know that polyethylene can be expanded with inert gasses or gasses that are bad for preservation, it can be a viable option. Alternatively, you could carve Ethafoam into strips. I'm not an expert in cases but this may be a good hack.

Hello,

What are recommendations for sealing exhibit cases? We'd like to be able to utilize humidity cassettes, but our standalone cases are so drafty that a cassette currently doesn't do anything. Especially for our cases for which the top opens, there is a significant gap between the top and the sides of the case. I've thought that something like weather stripping might work, particularly the brush/fiber style, but I'm wondering what might be safe to use.

Thank you for any suggestions.

Hello,

What are recommendations for sealing exhibit cases? We'd like to be able to utilize humidity cassettes, but our standalone cases are so drafty that a cassette currently doesn't do anything. Especially for our cases for which the top opens, there is a significant gap between the top and the sides of the case. I've thought that something like weather stripping might work, particularly the brush/fiber style, but I'm wondering what might be safe to use.

Thank you for any suggestions.

------------------------------
Courtney Rookard
Processing Archivist
Xavier University of Louisiana
New Orleans
United States
------------------------------

Hi Courtney,

I usually recommend CleanSeal silicone gaskets https://www.cleanseal.com/profiles/silicone.html Here at the CMA we used the ribbed sections.

That being said, I would suggest some caution in trying to seal up casework.  I see you have some wood used in your cases from the photos you sent.  If you seal off the cases, you may wind up having issues inside the casework that could be caused by wood acids, or by other materials used within the case.  I'm going to drop a link here to AIC's Materials Working Group page, in case you have not seen it. There's a lot of info available about case materials here. https://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/Materials_Working_Group

The casework you have is gorgeous- I'm not suggesting you get rid of it! But you'll want to weigh all of the pros and cons involved in sealing them up to maintain humidity.  Happy to talk further on thread or off at lresh@clevelandart.org

Hello,

What are recommendations for sealing exhibit cases? We'd like to be able to utilize humidity cassettes, but our standalone cases are so drafty that a cassette currently doesn't do anything. Especially for our cases for which the top opens, there is a significant gap between the top and the sides of the case. I've thought that something like weather stripping might work, particularly the brush/fiber style, but I'm wondering what might be safe to use.

Thank you for any suggestions.

Hello,

What are recommendations for sealing exhibit cases? We'd like to be able to utilize humidity cassettes, but our standalone cases are so drafty that a cassette currently doesn't do anything. Especially for our cases for which the top opens, there is a significant gap between the top and the sides of the case. I've thought that something like weather stripping might work, particularly the brush/fiber style, but I'm wondering what might be safe to use.

Thank you for any suggestions.