Bookshelves on exterior wall

Mardle

We're in the process of buying a 1900's end terrace and are considering having bookshelves built along one wall of the lounge. We have lots of books! As it's a solid exterior wall would we need some sort of insulation behind the books or will they act as insulation?

ABrass

You would be at risk from mould. Any condensation on the wall that is in contact with the books will be absorbed into the book and let it rot.

It's the same reason you've got to seal wall insulation to prevent moist air migrating to the cold surface.

I recommend selling your books and buying a kindle.

tony6403

You could create a problem with unseen condensation but that will only happen if moisture laden air is present.
From my experiment with adding polystyrene insulation to the back of fitted wardrobes I can say that it did not entirely eliminate mould growth.
I would go ahead with the bookshelves and monitor. If any problems begin to arise then increase ventilation or get a dehumidifier (the latter cured the problem in my case)
ABrass must surely be joking about buying a Kindle or maybe he doesn't realise how some books can be highly cherished.

Jonesya

Quizzical_Squirrel wrote: »

I was just thinking that I have my books back to front on the shelves so you can't see the spines.

:rotfl:
It's an idea.....not sure it's a great idea......can't see it catching on in libraries.

manda1205

I live in a cottage built around 1890 and I would say don't put anything on an outside wall! We had a bookcase in our living room and whilst the books were ok, the wall used to get horrendously covered in mould. Where ever we have put anything on an outside wall, including pictures, we have had mould grow behind the object. We've been gradually re-plastering the house now, but we still don't put anything up to an outside wall. The joy's of old houses!

Mardle

Thanks everyone for the input.

We're now thinking of open back shelves that won't actually touch the exterior wall. There'll be a couple of inches gap behind the shelves. We'll use some shelves for ornaments and make sure the shelves are wide enough apart so that there is a gap above the books.

Hopefully condensation won't be a problem as the kitchen & bathrooms are in the rear part of the house and will have extractor fans.