[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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...

[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]

Originally Posted by LeeM

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

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

[Jejuca]

Florida homes don't have basements.

[laceylady]

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