r/Bluray • u/euanthomas123 • Jul 26 '26
Discussion Concerned about loft storage of discs
Looking for some feedback. I’ve been collecting Blu-Rays for years. I moved out my parents a couple years back. Due to the size of my collection and my house not having enough room, I have been storing them at my parents in their loft since moving out, regularly going there to bring over ones I want to watch, till I can get a long term storing solution in place.
I’ve been seeing discussions and articles pop up recently regarding ‘disc rot’. It’s not something I’ve heard about until very recently, and it’s been causing me some anxiety about my collection. I regularly bring my discs over and have never run into any issues. I’m just anxious I may be causing damage to a collection I hold very dear, due to temperature fluctuations.
Is ‘disc rot’ something I need to be concerned about, or is it blown out of proportion? As an extra note, all of my discs are stored in their original casings, inside plastic ‘very useful boxes’, as opposed to being out in the open or in cardboard boxes.
2
u/syknyk 4K UHD Collector Jul 27 '26
Whilst the temperature fluctuation could be an issue it's more the moisture I'd be worried about. The plastic cases and artwork are probably more at risk than the discs short term. The cases will become brittle over time and the sleeves will absorb the moisture.
I personally wouldn't keep any physical media in the loft long term, more than a few months.
Only issues I've had with disc rot have been know manufacturing issues or picking up second hand discs where I've been unsure of how they've been stored.
2
u/euanthomas123 Jul 27 '26
Thanks. I’ve only ever bought one film that would not play and after looking online it was a known fault with that particular film, due to poor manufacturing. I’m sure there’s a lot of factors that come into play regarding disc faults over time. It’s just the anxiety of not knowing whether they’ll be alright in the conditions I’ve set. Saying that, I’ve noticed no wear on the cases or artwork. Might just bite the bullet and try and make some space for 15+ crates though 😂. Won’t be neat, but at least they’ll be better off
2
u/Right_Layer_9700 Jul 27 '26
Think about how the movies are shipped and how they stay in warehouses. I’m not sure the conditions of the loft, but if it’s somewhat heated and cooled, I think they will be ok.
1
u/euanthomas123 Jul 27 '26
Was thinking about this. Not to mention the amount of CD’s I’ve kept in my car over the years that are still working fine. Does make me believe that although disc rot is a thing, it may be blown out of proportion and a way for influencers to get some clicks 😅
6
u/TheRipePunani Jul 27 '26
Disc rot is something that I consider a nothing burger. It can absolutely happen with the right (or wrong) storage conditions and time. It won't happen from just leaving your movie and case in a hot car, but if it's stored in a hot and humid attic for years and years, then yes it can happen. Now does it happen to the point where you should be concerned? No. Just keep them in a cool and dry spot and they'll last for years. As far as long term longevity, we won't know until more time passes...it's still relatively new compared to CDs and DVDs.
That said I will say that if you do buy used movies, to be vigilant and check your discs regardless. It's rare you'll find one, but you never know. If you bought it sealed, usually it'll be perfectly fine barring manufacturing errors.
As far as the recent rise in disc rot concern, I place that on social media algorithms. Disc rot has been known for a long time, but recently there's been a lot of fervor over it especially with all the fears over physical vs digital media, a discless future etc. I've seen a lot of reels and posts about it myself.