Some items are too fragile, too valuable or too awkward for a moving box or a blanket wrap. A large mirror, a marble tabletop, a glass sculpture, an oil painting, a chandelier or a delicate instrument needs a rigid shell that holds it still and protects it from impacts, pressure and vibration. That shell is a custom crate.

Déménagement NST Moving & Storage builds custom crates for homeowners, collectors, galleries, designers and businesses across Greater Montreal. Each crate is sized to the item and its padding, lined and blocked so the item cannot move inside, and marked with handling and orientation instructions. Custom crating is used for local moves, long-distance moves, shipping and long-term storage.

Your coordinator reviews the items with you, decides which ones need crates and includes crating in your guaranteed flat-fee quote.

Quick answer: NST builds custom wooden crates in Montreal for art, antiques, glass, marble and sensitive equipment, sized to fit and padded inside, for local moves, long-distance moves and storage. Call (514) 458-7786.

What we crate

Every NST custom crate includes – NST Montreal movers

Fine art: paintings, framed works, prints and sculptures. See fine art moving.
Antiques: fragile furniture parts, clocks, mirrors and decorative pieces. See antique moving.
Glass and mirrors: large mirrors, glass tabletops, glass shelves and display glass.
Stone: marble, granite and quartz tabletops and slabs.
Lighting: chandeliers and designer light fixtures.
Electronics: large screens, audio equipment and sensitive devices. See electronics moving.
Equipment: lab instruments, medical devices and technical equipment. See laboratory moving.
Collectibles: sculptures, ceramics and valuable collections.

How we build a custom crate

Measure. We measure the item and add space for padding on every side.
Choose the design. Depending on the item, we use a closed crate, an open slat crate or a crate with internal supports.
Build. The crate is built from strong wood panels and framing, sized to fit.
Pad and block. The item is wrapped and placed inside with foam, padding and blocks so it cannot shift.
Close and mark. The crate is closed and labelled with contents, fragile warnings, this-side-up arrows and destination.
Transport. Crates are loaded and strapped securely in the truck.
Unpack. At the destination, we open the crate and unwrap the item, or leave it closed for storage.

Types of crates

Closed crates fully enclose the item and offer the most protection. They are used for art, glass, marble and anything travelling long distance or going into storage.

Slat crates use an open frame of wooden slats. They are lighter and suit furniture, equipment and items that need protection from impacts but not full enclosure.

Travel frames and A-frames hold flat items such as glass, mirrors and stone slabs upright and secure.

Crates with internal cradles support irregular shapes such as sculptures, instruments and equipment.

When should you crate an item?

Consider crating when an item is:

Fragile and difficult to protect with blankets alone, such as glass, marble or ceramics.
Valuable or irreplaceable, such as art, antiques and heirlooms.
Travelling long distance or by freight.
Going into storage for a long period.
Oddly shaped, so it cannot be boxed or wrapped securely.
Sensitive to pressure, such as canvas paintings or screens.

Your coordinator will recommend crating only where it adds real protection.

Custom crating costs

Factor	Why it matters
Size of the item	Larger crates need more material and labour.
Crate type	Closed crates cost more than slat crates or frames.
Internal supports	Cradles and blocking for irregular shapes.
Number of crates	Several crates for a collection or move.
On-site or shop build	Some crates are built on site, others prepared in advance.
Transport and storage	Crated items moved locally, long distance or into storage.

Crating is included in your guaranteed flat fee when it is part of your move.

Crating for long-distance moves and shipping

Long-distance moves involve more handling, more vibration and more time on the road. Crating fragile and valuable items is one of the best ways to protect them. We crate items for moves from Montreal to Quebec City, Ottawa, Toronto and across Canada, and we can prepare crates for international shipping by freight forwarders.

Crating for storage

Items in long-term storage are often stacked around, moved within the facility and stored for months. A crate protects them from pressure, dust and accidental bumps. Our climate-controlled storage and custom crates together offer the best long-term protection for art, antiques and valuables.

Areas we serve

We provide custom crating across Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the West Island and the North and South Shores, for homes, galleries, design studios, offices and businesses.

Why customers choose NST for custom crating

Crates sized to fit each item.
Padding and blocking to stop movement inside the crate.
Clear labelling and handling instructions.
Crating, moving and storage from one company.
Guaranteed flat-fee pricing.
Licensed and insured movers. See all our specialty item moving services.

Crating fine art and framed works

Paintings and framed works are among the items most often crated. Canvases are sensitive to pressure and puncture, frames chip easily, and glazing can crack. Each work is first wrapped in glassine or a protective sheet, then corner protectors are placed on the frame. The work is then placed in a closed crate with foam lining on all sides, or in a crate with slots for several works of similar size. Crates are clearly marked to keep the work vertical. For very large works, the crate is built to the work’s dimensions so it can be moved by a team and loaded upright.

Crating glass, mirrors and stone

Glass tabletops, large mirrors and stone slabs are heavy and brittle. They must always travel on their edge, never flat, because their own weight can break them when they flex. We build A-frames or narrow crates that hold the panel upright with padded supports along its length. Edges and corners receive extra protection, because that is where most breaks start. Marble and granite tops from dressers, tables and kitchen islands are removed from their bases and crated separately.

Crating sensitive equipment

Laboratory instruments, medical devices, servers, audio equipment and other technical items often have delicate internal components. A custom crate with foam inserts or a cradle prevents the item from shifting and absorbs shocks during loading and transport. Equipment is prepared according to the manufacturer’s guidance before it is crated, for example by locking moving parts or removing accessories. Crates are labelled with orientation arrows, fragile warnings and the contents, so everyone who handles them knows what is inside.

Reusing crates

A well-built crate can be reused for future moves, storage or shipping. Collectors and galleries often keep crates for works that travel to exhibitions. If you do not want to keep the crate, we take it away after unpacking so it does not take up space in your new home.

Crating for designers, galleries and businesses

Interior designers, galleries, showrooms and businesses often need crates for single items rather than whole moves: a sculpture going to a client’s home, a sample piece travelling to a trade show, a display fixture moving between stores or a piece of equipment shipped to another site. We provide crating and delivery for these one-off jobs across Montreal, with pickup from your studio, gallery or warehouse and placement at the destination. For trade shows and exhibitions, crates can be built to be opened and closed several times.

How to tell if your item is properly protected

A good crate should not let the item move when you tilt it gently. The item should be wrapped, held by padding or blocks on every side, and supported at its strongest points. The crate should be clearly labelled with contents, orientation and fragile warnings, and it should be sturdy enough to be stacked or handled with a dolly without flexing. Before we close any crate, our crew checks these points and you are welcome to look inside.

Custom crating FAQs

What is custom crating?

Custom crating means building a wooden crate sized to a specific item, with padding and blocking inside to protect it during transport or storage.

Which items should be crated?

Fragile, valuable or oddly shaped items such as art, antiques, glass, marble, chandeliers and sensitive equipment benefit most from crating.

Do you crate items for long-distance moves?

Yes. Crating is strongly recommended for fragile and valuable items travelling long distances.

Can you crate items for storage?

Yes. Crates protect items from pressure, dust and bumps during long-term storage.

Can I keep the crate?

Yes. You can keep the crate for future moves or storage, or we can take it away.

How long does it take to build a crate?

Simple crates can often be built on the day of packing. Complex crates may be prepared in advance.

How is custom crating priced?

Crating is priced by size, type and number of crates and is included in your guaranteed flat fee when it is part of a move.

Do you crate items for galleries and designers?

Yes. We crate and deliver single pieces for galleries, designers, showrooms and businesses.

Can a crate be opened and reused at a trade show?

Yes. We can build crates designed to be opened and closed several times.

Protect your valuables with custom crating

Send us photos and measurements of the items you want crated. We will recommend the right crate and include it in your guaranteed flat-fee quote.

Call: (514) 458-7786 · Visit: 433 Jarry St W #201, Montreal, QC H3N 1E7

Get your free custom crating quote today.

Related specialty services in Montreal

Moving something heavy, valuable or delicate? Explore our other specialty moving services in Montreal:

Specialty Item MovingHeavy, fragile and valuable pieces Piano MoversUpright and grand pianos moved safely Safe MovingHome, gun and commercial safes Antique MovingHeirlooms and fragile furniture Fine Art MovingPaintings, sculptures and framed works Pool Table MovingSlate tables taken apart and rebuilt Gym Equipment MovingTreadmills, racks and weight machines Electronics MovingTVs, home theatre and audio gear Heavy Item MovingMarble, appliances and oversized pieces Laboratory MovingInstruments, benches and lab equipment StorageClimate-controlled storage for valuables

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