You have poured over thousands of “ideas about wine cellars” on Pinterest and maybe even watched a YouTube video —or ten. You know it can be done, and you have the perfect spot. You are in love with the idea and anxious to get started. But before you go any farther, stop and consider these seven things you should NOT do with your wine cellar.
It can be done. You can turn an unused space into the modern wine cellar of your dreams —the envy of your friends. But you will need some help. First, in most areas, this type of construction will require permission. You must apply for a permit and follow all the local, state, and federal building codes.
Whether you are thinking about zone temperature control options or installing wine refrigerators and heavy shelving, be sure to consult with a contractor who is experienced in wine cellar design to help create the optimal conditions for storing your prized collection.
Of course, storing your vino at the perfect temperature is the key function of your wine cellar. If the wine is stored in a room that is too warm, your wine will oxidize and lose its character and much of its flavor.
If your wine cellar does not naturally maintain a consistently cold temperature, you may be tempted to make this your next DIY project. However, temperature control methods are varied and complex, not to mention a significant financial investment.
A wine cellar must be both cold and humid, which is not the most natural of conditions. In fact, a lot of improvised wine cellars only consider the temperature. The experts at Wine Spectator, however, warn that a dry environment will require the frequent and precise introduction of humidity.
The humidity of your wine room should be around 70 percent consistently. This is to keep the cork from drying out. As a wine connoisseur, you know that a dry cork can easily ruin a precious bottle of wine.
To make sure you are at the proper humidity you should measure it. To do this, you can purchase a small device called a hygrometer. Once you determine how much humidity you need to add to the room, consult with your contractor to go over all your options. They will need to take measurements of the room and calculate the heat gain, which affects humidity. Fortunately, there are several options available.
Yes, insulation is messy. It is scratchy and irritating if your skin comes into contact with its fibers. Therefore, it is tempting to forego. Often homeowners believe that since they are using an interior room, the insulation they have in place will be sufficient. This is a mistake.
Since the wine cellar room will need to be kept significantly cooler and more humid than the rest of your home, you need a way to keep in the cold air. This is the best way to ensure you are running an efficient wine cellar and not wasting energy, as well.
There are a few options for insulating a room without having to deconstruct the walls and ceilings. Before you begin, you will need to know the amount and type of existing insulation before you can figure the amount of additional insulation your wine room will need.
Because of the need for refrigeration or cooling unit, you will need to run higher voltage electricity to the space. Based on the cooling unit you purchase, it may need to be outside the room or inside. Since most of the unit don’t have the capability of adding humidity to your wine cellar, you will need an additional 110V electrical outlet for the humidifier.
Remember, your refrigeration unit and humidifier will both need drainage. This means running tubing to the outside of your home at a particular angle so that it drains correctly. Otherwise, you could find yourself with mold and mildew problems down the road.
Remember, you are finishing an area that will consistently experience higher than normal humidity and cooler than average indoor temperatures. This makes it essential to choose only those building materials, dry wall, paint, wall coverings, shelving and accessories which are certified to perform at a humidity of around 70 percent.
Did you know that many types of drywall fail in cold, humid conditions —resulting in costly scenarios? When constant moisture seeps through paint and into the drywall, it causes the material to absorb moisture and eventually causes crumbling. This will make hanging shelving more difficult since there isn’t a support structure between the wall studs.
The idea of repurposing a room into the wine cellar of your dreams is growing in popularity and can be accomplished with precise planning and flawless execution. However, there are times when you will need professional to help. Fortunately, we can keep you from experiencing a DIY fail. To learn more, find helpful advice, or receive a free quote, connect with us today.
