What are the ideal climatic conditions for a trophy room

[JES Adventures]

A question for the taxidermists out there - What consistent temperature/humidity is ideal for a trophy room. Over the years I have seen collections displayed in many places and a variety of conditions. I am in the very early stages of planning a new trophy room so want to make sure I budget enough for climate control.

 

[johnnyblues]

I d like to know too. Good question sir. I would have to believe a dehumidifier would be in line in humid areas.

 

[harden]

Keep a constant 40% humidity year round. Thats what I suggest and museums do.
Leather, the skin, moves with humidity variation and that causes cracks and seam issues.

 

[JES Adventures]

Keep a constant 40% humidity year round. Thats what I suggest and museums do.
Leather, the skin, moves with humidity variation and that causes cracks and seam issues.

Thanks Dennis, but what about temperature? Obviously 40% humidity wouldn't be good at 95+ degree temps that we have in Texas.

 

[Red Leg]

Thanks Dennis, but what about temperature? Obviously 40% humidity wouldn't be good at 95+ degree temps that we have in Texas.

My central compressors have adjustable temp and humidity. I maintain constant 45% in my trophy room with no issues. Well, except when the rural power fails

 

[wesheltonj]

Best I can do is 54% and 75f year round.

 

[harden]

Red leg and Wesheltonj your both good keeping it constant it the key. changes in it is what makes the leather absurd more water from the air and then less shrinks it..thus moving it.
You guys are there it's consistency that's the key
JES 70-75 is okay not 95 , I keep studio at 65 degrees house 69-70
you need to get that DOWN ! Your cooking them !

 

[JES Adventures]

Red leg and Wesheltonj your both good keeping it constant it the key. changes in it is what makes the leather absurd more water from the air and then less shrinks it..thus moving it.
You guys are there it's consistency that's the key
JES 70-75 is okay not 95 , I keep studio at 65 degrees house 69-70
you need to get that DOWN ! Your cooking them !

Dennis, Thanks for the advice but Im not keeping the room at 95 degrees, trying to get a grip on the ideal temps as I am planning a rather large building at my ranch and it is not constantly used. Thus the comment about 95 degree days in Texas! If you had a 10,000 s.f. Metal building finished out inside with good insulation, I suspect the inside temps would rise above 80 in the heat of the Summer without AC. So, from the comments in the thread, I've got to be sure climate control stays on 24/7 to be consistent.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

John Ed,

Great topic! Sounds like a you are planning a good size trophy room. I am currently in the planning process of building my retirement home in Louisiana and like Texas we have a little heat and humidity to contend with. In talking with the architect and builder, the newer AC units are key in humidity control. Old AC units were single speed, then came the 2-speed units and more recently the variable speed units. The compressor, exterior cooling fan and blower are all variable speed and of course more expensive. The benefit of the variable speed is they essentially don't turn on and off like the old units, the run continuously by will shift to a lower speed and maintain a more constant temp and circulate more air, which helps to dehumidify. At least that's what they tell me.........

If you want to look at some incredible trophy rooms, take a look at the video tours on Conroe Taxidermy's website: http://www.conroetaxidermy.com/trophyroom.html

 

[JES Adventures]

John Ed,

Great topic! Sounds like a you are planning a good size trophy room. I am currently in the planning process of building my retirement home in Louisiana and like Texas we have a little heat and humidity to contend with. In talking with the architect and builder, the newer AC units are key in humidity control. Old AC units were single speed, then came the 2-speed units and more recently the variable speed units. The compressor, exterior cooling fan and blower are all variable speed and of course more expensive. The benefit of the variable speed is they essentially don't turn on and off like the old units, the run continuously by will shift to a lower speed and maintain a more constant temp and circulate more air, which helps to dehumidify. At least that's what they tell me.........

If you want to look at some incredible trophy rooms, take a look at the video tours on Conroe Taxidermy's website: http://www.conroetaxidermy.com/trophyroom.html

Well, I'm still hunting and have 37 years worth of trophies already so its going to take a sizeable room. Ceiling height is another consideration, I want to be sure and get it right. At the moment, it seems 16' would be about right - what are your thoughts? Thanks for the link to Conroe Taxidermy, some impressive displays.

 

[ActionBob]

At the little conference done on this subject at SCI it was recommended to put wall hight between 12' -14'. Certainly not over 16'. As the mounts tend to get away from you that high up. However I think a vaulted ceiling going up from 12-14' walls might be great.

I'm facing this type a project as well but am trying to keep it all within my home so I can more fully enjoy the trophies. This king of adding onto the back side of the garage with an office space on top of the garage and a balcony/stairs over and I to the two story trophy room.

On the other hand I have a perfect 40'x80' 16' sidewall steel shed that could be insulated and sheeted out easily.... of course being in Minnesota it might cost a fortune to heat, and cool. And I may need it for that future motor home.... if I ever get around to really retiring

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Ceiling height is probably the most important consideration, in my opinion. Yes, 16 ft seems about right and that is what I designed for. I'm going to have wood paneled walls from the ground level to about 8ft and the sheet rock wall with 3/4" plywood back on the upper portion of the wall, painted in a fairly light color.

You've probably seen Julian & Son ads (http://www.julianandsons.com/) in hunting magazine or seen their booth at DSC. This is a helpful article where they share some of their details.
http://www.outdoorhub.com/how-to/2015/01/29/photos-how-to-design-trophy-room/

 

[Red Leg]

Dennis, Thanks for the advice but Im not keeping the room at 95 degrees, trying to get a grip on the ideal temps as I am planning a rather large building at my ranch and it is not constantly used. Thus the comment about 95 degree days in Texas! If you had a 10,000 s.f. Metal building finished out inside with good insulation, I suspect the inside temps would rise above 80 in the heat of the Summer without AC. So, from the comments in the thread, I've got to be sure climate control stays on 24/7 to be consistent.

And of course, I am trying to control a rather small space compared to your project! Be sure and take us along as you build it.

 

[Red Leg]

At the little conference done on this subject at SCI it was recommended to put wall hight between 12' -14'. Certainly not over 16'. As the mounts tend to get away from you that high up. However I think a vaulted ceiling going up from 12-14' walls might be great.

I'm facing this type a project as well but am trying to keep it all within my home so I can more fully enjoy the trophies. This king of adding onto the back side of the garage with an office space on top of the garage and a balcony/stairs over and I to the two story trophy room.

On the other hand I have a perfect 40'x80' 16' sidewall steel shed that could be insulated and sheeted out easily.... of course being in Minnesota it might cost a fortune to heat, and cool. And I may need it for that future motor home.... if I ever get around to really retiring

So being one of those retired gentleman farmer/rancher types, think through that whole motor home thing - Several friends HAD them, and to a man said two of the happiest days in their lives were when they bought it and then the day they sold it.

 

[JES Adventures]

And of course, I am trying to control a rather small space compared to your project! Be sure and take us along as you build it.

Well @Red Leg, I am a few years out but we must make plans or we'll stagnate. I've for a hunt booked for Uganda in '18, then the good Lord willing I will tee up Ethiopia for '19 or '20. Throw in a few North American hunts and that'll keep me busy. Hopefully I can break ground in the fall of '20. Don't worry, I'll share the adventure!

 

[JES Adventures]

So being one of those retired gentleman farmer/rancher types, think through that whole motor home thing - Several friends HAD them, and to a man said two of the happiest days in their lives were when they bought it and then the day they sold it.

@Red Leg is absolutely on target - I thought it would be a great plan when the kids were little so I bought one. Then I quickly realized I had been reduced to a bus driver!

 

[K-man]

16 foot walls are great, you don't have to put the trophy all the way to the ceiling, but sometimes horns, etc may extend up. Going up is the cheapest space you have, (the roof and floor cost is the same) Good luck planning, you will need about 1 1/2 times the space you think you do, or plan for an addition later.

 

[ActionBob]

@Red Leg is absolutely on target - I thought it would be a great plan when the kids were little so I bought one. Then I quickly realized I had been reduced to a bus driver!

Yea wondering if hotel rooms are cheaper than they look However it's not me desiring that motorhome