Shadowbox holes

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Richard Lagroon

Grumbler in Training
Joined
Oct 23, 2002
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14
Location
Columbia, SC
Does anyone drill holes in shadowboxes to encourage air flow? I had a customer yesterday that had a 150 year old Christening gown. She had spoken to a conservator at our state museum and received recommendations for framing it. One of the recommendations was to drill holes (1/4") in the bottom and both sides to let the air and humidity flow more freely. She recommended not drilling the top to prevent dust from settling in. I think my customer is willing to have the holes IF this is viable step in preserving the gown. Any guidance? What about the possibility of bugs getting in?
 
I am not qualified to answer this, but anyway...


Not sure if you really need holes. If you did put holes, I would think that a fine filter screen would be necessary to keep out dust and bugs.
John
 
Oh dear, I can't resist...
Did this conservator make sure to mention that these holes are to be the type that only let the bad stuff flow out and not in? But the good stuff can flow in but not out...?

I HOPE this isn't to let the gown 'breathe,' now, is it?

I'm sorry, you asked an honest question and you get a smarty pants answer from a mouthy midwesterner... :rolleyes:

It does not seem like a good idea based on all I have learned about framing from folks like Hugh and Rebecca, that's my real answer.

It seems that the gown would do better in a sealed environment using high quality materials.

edie the justrepeatingwhativeheardhere goddess
 
one MUST keep in the forefront of whatever they are currently calling their mind, that exactly 1/2 of all graduates did so in the LOWER half of their class...just because this guy hangs out a shingle does NOT mean he was the stellar performer in the litter!!!!!!!!!!
dont suppose he offered any actually meaningful how-to's on bugs/bad air/humidity etc, etc, etc???????
really easy to sit back on one's big fat laurels and pontificate on any subject(see THIS part of this thread) w/o having to deal with any part of it--read that armchair quterbacks, etc!


you aint part of the so-lution, youre most definitely part of the entire problem!!!
 
"HOLES", I don't think would be a wise move. If you are going to make holes, why bother with glazing. Just think of the air flow without glass in the way. Remember that air is going to flow through the mount between the glazing and the moulding without providing for additional flow.

Jack Cee
 
Bill, I agree.

The real scary part is that it also aplies to Doctors!

No holes from me.
 
Nope. Bad idea. The frame package should slow the rate of change of temperature and humidity, and prevent dust & insects from entering. Holes in the frame are a direct violation of good framing design.

Even in the old days, when free air circulation was thought to be an issue, the holes were to be placed in both the top and bottom to create a path of circulation, and they were to be covered with filters to keep out dust and critters.

It is likely that:

1. the customer made up the conservator's "recommendation" to support his/her own misinformed ideas; or

2. severely misunderstood the conservator's advice; or

3. the conservator is completely out of touch.

If a customer said that to me, I would make it clear that such advice is wrong to an alarming degree, and explain why. I would also refer the customer to AIC and CCI to find more authoritative sources for opinions.

I would ask for the conservator's name and contact information, without being pushy. If the customer produces it -- which I doubt would happen -- then I would call him/her myself, and find out what's going on.
 
First, I'll agree with everyone else and say it's a bad idea.

But let's look at one issue that might mitigate the ill will towards this conservator. The environment inside a museum is much different from what is found in most houses. Museums are scrupulous about pest control, the temperature and humidity are closely monitored and controlled, and the same with light.

So if one were to drill holes in the shadowbox displayed in a museum, it wouldn't necessarily be the worst possible thing that could happen. But for a house? No.

I still think it's a bad idea, but just something to think about. Maybe Hugh or Rebecca might have some insight.
 
Originally posted by FramerDave:
...let's look at one issue that might mitigate the ill will towards this conservator...
Click to expand...
My feelers are hinting that the "conservator" in this case may be imaginary. If the customer comes up with a name and phone number, I would be very surprised.
 
The environment inside a museum is much different from what is found in most houses. Museums are scrupulous about pest control, the temperature and humidity are closely monitored and controlled, and the same with light.
Click to expand...
agree 100% Dave, and that being said, then why would a museum do it to begin with???...IF everything is so perfect I fail to recognize any reasons to need these extreme measures.
 
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