What can you store in hot FL attics?

[laceylady]

We are currently snowbirds but will be 'frogs' soon. We are bringing boxes of pictures, knick knacks and some things that we hope to store in our attic in Sanibel. We have extra insulation to 36" but no attic fan. Do we need an attic fan to store things in the attic? I am just concerned about the temperature, coming from WA state, where this is not an issue. Thank you for your advice.

[jebartle]

you don't mind melting!....We don't use our attic!.

[redwitch]

No plastics; no candles. Things made of metal or glass are okay; so are materials. I wouldn't put books up there. All should be well wrapped (don't want to tempt bugs and vermin). Be careful with paper and cardboard (the palmetto bugs love cardboard).

[asianthree]

even christmas stuff has issues

[Madelaine Amee]

We are currently snowbirds but will be 'frogs' soon. We are bringing boxes of pictures, knick knacks and some things that we hope to store in our attic in Sanibel. We have extra insulation to 36" but no attic fan. Do we need an attic fan to store things in the attic? I am just concerned about the temperature, coming from WA state, where this is not an issue. Thank you for your advice.

DON'T - Please don't store anything of any value in the attic with or without an attic fan.

Keep in mind that anything stored in boxes, anywhere in the house, is an invitation to roaches, they love cardboard whether in the garage or in the house. Store whatever needs storing in plastic containers with tight fitting lids.

[gomoho]

We don't use our attic either - too hot no matter what you do - this is Florida. If it doesn't fit in the house or garage (which also gets pretty hot) get rid of it - IMHO.

[NoMoSno]

They are great for a cheap sauna...:laugh:

[784caroline]

Plain cardboard boxes absorb the humidity from the heat. Heavy duty moving boxes would be better. Better yet, rather than using any cardboard, I would use the closed plastic containers you can buy at Target.

[Arctic Fox]

you can have the underside of the roof lined with silver foil, which will keep the attic cooler (and reduce your air-con bill)

or have a heat-exchanger there, feeding into your water heater (reducing your water-heating bill)

so the attic has its uses, but maybe not for storing much stuff

[Ohiogirl]

We have kept two plastic bins (with lids) of toys up there for the better part of 7 years - we get them out about once or twice a year - they are fine, and most of them are plastic (like legos, Fisher-Price toys, etc). Also keep a wood children's table and 2-3 kids' chairs, and a pack n play and a plastic booster seat/high chair.

We also keep our airbed bag up there for months at a time, so it's out of the way. Works fine. We do take it to Ohio for the summer, but it's still hot for a couple of months on either end.

We also keep a box of Christmas stuff, just no candles. Still fine.

[jnieman]

I would put the family photos someplace in the house. Under the bed, in the master closet anywhere but in the attic. They are too valuable and it gets very hot up there.

[LeeM]

Do most (or any) of these homes have basements?

[villagevette]

Do most (or any) of these homes have basements?

Some do but down here in Florida we call them swimming pools:highfive:

[Jejuca]

Florida homes don't have basements.

[laceylady]

Thank you all for this very helpful advice. Under the beds, in plastic containers it is!

[billethkid]

Florida homes don't have basements.
We had a floor put in the attic space over the garage and have used it foe storage since we moved in 10 years ago.

There has never been a problem using the common sense approach to what will survive the heat.

For us, the homes offered in TV have /had enough store age space, hence oversized garage with attic space...no problems.

btk

[rdhdleo]

We've been here 11 years and within a year installed stairs to the attic and later a solar attic fan. We store all our Christmas stuff including tree and lights up there plus odds and ends. Never had a problem. Just use common sense, no candles no pictures as people have stated. We always use heavy duty plastic storage container that the lids fit tight on.

[cgalloway6]

Your snowblower.

[Jejuca]

We have lived in Florida for 25 years (on a beach until recently) and always store things in the attic. I agree that plastic containers are best for storing things.

[PattyPan1]

My husband, shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh


We are currently snowbirds but will be 'frogs' soon. We are bringing boxes of pictures, knick knacks and some things that we hope to store in our attic in Sanibel. We have extra insulation to 36" but no attic fan. Do we need an attic fan to store things in the attic? I am just concerned about the temperature, coming from WA state, where this is not an issue. Thank you for your advice.

[asianthree]

My husband, shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

how often do you bring him down

[SyrNancy]

Do you folks who mention bugs spray for pests?

[bigallis1]

Besides the extra insulation, I think an attic fan is a worthwhile investment. Better for storage and help keep the garage temp down. I like to work in my garage.

We are currently snowbirds but will be 'frogs' soon. We are bringing boxes of pictures, knick knacks and some things that we hope to store in our attic in Sanibel. We have extra insulation to 36" but no attic fan. Do we need an attic fan to store things in the attic? I am just concerned about the temperature, coming from WA state, where this is not an issue. Thank you for your advice.