The suitability of archival boxes to mitigate humidity fluctuations in historical houses was investigated. The properties of archival boxes, such as moisture sorption, moisture transmission rates and air exchange rates, were tested. Non-modified boxes made of cardboard respond quickly to humidity changes in storage areas; however, surface modification of cardboards reduces the interaction of a box with the external environment and makes the internal environment more stable. Therefore, archival boxes could present a more sustainable alternative to HVAC systems for management of storage environments in historical houses.