Is it ok to stack LPs horizontally?

Ever been at the bottom of a dog pile as a kid? A stack of 50 records is already getting heavy. The bottom 10 records will see enough pressure that, in summer or a warmish day, they will yield to a warp.

Can I prove this? Probably not in this post. But I bet you can see my logic. How are some of you questioning sage wisdom?

Books are stored this way to take pressure off the binding.

It just makes sense.

Do you want to take the bottom record out? What a PITA. You will damage the bottom few records just to access them. Stack them vertically and they’re all just as easy to get at.

Should I go on?

Although I always have my vinyl vertically on shelves, Room Temperature is the key. If your storage place is cool, very little tendency to warp.  
 

@bdp24 

Thanks for the tip. Since I have fairly sizable empty space in each of my 41 shelves (I always have more shelves than I need so I can keep adding records), instead of the inner cardboard, I just bought 50 reinforced 2" wide vinyl cardboard BOXES! Tip of the month for me!

Right. The proper way to store records is upright between upright bookend or cabinet walls snuggly but not tightly packed. Records should slide in and out easily. Upright storage lends itself to easy accession and cataloging. It is essential to protect records from any heat source.

You do not store records stacked horizontally. Records are not flat. The label and rim are elevated standing proud of the playing surface of the record. If one record is a little off from another the rim will sink down at the unsupported area. Add a little heat and you have a perfect warp machine. The upmost record is exposed and at risk. Why? The most common cause of record warping is???? The sun shining through a window landing on exposed records. During the day the sun travels across the sky scanning the better part of many rooms. 2-3 minutes of focused heat is all it takes. If you leave your records lying around exposed and have any unblinded windows facing the sun it is only a matter of time before one gets nailed.

If you look at my system page you will see a proper record cabinet. Note the records stand 1/2" proud of the shelves. This makes it much easier to get the records out without damaging the cover. Put one finger above and one below. The record slides right out. 

Warp!