Things To Keep in Mind When Building A Wine Cellar

Things to Keep in Mind When Building a Wine Cellar

Having your own wine cellar in the home is a nice luxury, but there are several things to keep in mind before you decide to have one built. Whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring professionals, some important considerations should be taken into account. In this article, we’ll go over some of the more important points and things to think about before you decide to build.

You May Need A Permit

While it’s not always necessary, there are some instances in which you’ll need a building permit to add a cellar to your home. This largely depends on your local building codes and whether you’ll be adding onto your home or using existing space inside to construct the cellar. The first step you should take is contacting the building office in your area to see if there are any restrictions, applications, or permits required before you begin work.

Choose the Right Location

Location and temperature (see below) are two of the most important things you need to consider and they’re very much interrelated. Ideally, a cellar should be located in a cool, dry part of the home, which is why a basement is often a good place to build. A dark area is also preferred to help keep things cool and if you have a space that gets little to no natural light, you’ve probably got a good starting point. Other things you’ll want to avoid in the area you’re considering a wine cellar are vibrations and odors as they can make it more difficult to regulate the climate.

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Temperature is Key

When storing wine, the most important factor is the temperature, and it should be regulated as well as possible. 55 degrees is the optimal temperature for a wine cellar, but that doesn’t mean you should just install a cooling system, set it at 55 degrees, and hope for the best. The temperature around the cellar is also important. If your cellar is an area that gets very warm, your cooling system will have to work that much harder to achieve the desired temperature. It’s also important to remember that most cooling systems can only affect a temperature change of around 30 degrees, so anything above 85 degrees will make it difficult to maintain the optimal temperature for your storage needs.

Insulation

Insulation is a key part of the equation when it comes to maintaining a steady temperature. Quality insulation should hold the temperature where you set it, but also prevent any vapor or leaks that could penetrate your cellar. If you plan to use a type of insulation that is permeable to vapors, you’ll need to install a vapor barrier as well. The best approach is often to use closed cell foam insulation as it does both jobs and eliminates the need for a vapor barrier.

Flooring

The floor of your wine cellar should be sealed for the same reasons mentioned above. Moisture and vapor can get through basic wood floors easily, which is why concrete is usually the best option. Even concrete, however, needs to be sealed to make sure that there are no pores, and you have a cellar that’s completely free of any interference from outside climate factors.