Categories: Special Care Items
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Author: uShip |
Crating can be a very expensive way to transport a piece of art or furniture, but it is also the safest. Many art and antique dealers/Service Providers will take care of crating your purchases for you, but if you are confident and experienced you can do this yourself and save some money. First, wrap the piece well in a shock-absorbent material. Bubble is sufficient, or you may prefer blankets -- special oversized quilts which provide cushioning for large items during transit. You can get these at truck rental companies or from any vendor of moving supplies. (Note: Keep bubble wrap away from painted surfaces with a layer of paper or cloth.) For extra protection, you can use heavy-duty stretch film to hold the shock absorbers in place around the item. In most cases, you won't need to build a solid wood crate. Instead, build a frame of 1/4-inch wood or strandboard (OSB) with an open top and line it with a solid cardboard box. Line the box with solid 1/2-inch polystyrene foam (you can buy this and cut it to size for each side of the box). Add a layer of packing peanuts, place your item inside, and fill the rest with peanuts. Top with a layer of polystyrene foam, then a layer of cardboard, both taped into place. Finally, nail the top of the crate into place. If all this sounds like a lot of work, it's advisable to hire a professional packing company to do the work for you.