| have a growing assortment of wine, it may be | | | | to run a wine cooling system. Those who choose |
| time to think about constructing a wine cellar. | | | | to use a common power source frequently find |
| Some time ago the custom wine cellar was | | | | the system overloading with blown fuses and |
| scarce; today more and more wine lovers are | | | | other electrical problems. |
| learning about wine cellar construction or | | | | Insulation and Vapor Barriers |
| contracting the work out to those who know | | | | The wine cooling unit is only part of your climate |
| how to do the job precisely. | | | | control plan for a custom wine cellar; you also |
| Wine rooms are more than a dark, cool place to | | | | need a vapor barrier made of plastic sheeting |
| hold an assortment of wine bottles. | | | | used on the hot side of the wall. Some |
| Today’s custom wine cellar is a controlled | | | | people wrap the interior of the wine cellar |
| environment where humidity and temperature are | | | | previous to inserting the insulation, keeping the |
| regulated to allow wine to properly age without | | | | plastic loose so that insulation can be positioned |
| harm to corks, labels or the wine itself. | | | | between the studs in the wall. Wrap the ceiling |
| There are two types of wine cellars. One is a | | | | and the walls, or your vapor barrier will be |
| room that has been mainly made to stock wine in | | | | imperfect. After the barrier is installed, the |
| the right environment and the other is a | | | | insulation comes next. |
| stand-alone unit that mirrors those conditions. A | | | | Good wine cellar building requires the right kind of |
| stand-alone wine cellar is not as effective as a | | | | insulation for your walls and ceiling. For instance, if |
| custom-built version, but some people like the | | | | you are building a 2x6 wall, R19 insulation is |
| aesthetics of a small cooled refrigerator over a | | | | recommended, but if you have a smaller wall of |
| custom wine cellar. Those who do choose a | | | | 2x4, R13 may be your best bet. (The R |
| custom cellar have three simple considerations for | | | | designation represents the heat resistance of the |
| proper creation. | | | | insulation.) Ceilings need R30. Custom wine cellar |
| Temperature Control and Venting | | | | builders should never put in the insulation loose |
| A wine cellar room is used to hold and age the | | | | without filling the material into the sections, as this |
| wine in the bottle rather than preserving it at a | | | | decreases the insulation’s effectiveness. |
| serving temperature. (A stand-alone wine | | | | The next step is to install a type of drywall called |
| refrigerator is best for transporting wine out of | | | | green board, which is moisture-resistant, making it |
| the cellar to maintain at serving temperatures.) | | | | a bit more expensive than regular drywall. Install |
| Aging wine is a balance of time, temperature and | | | | an exterior-grade door to the wine cellar and your |
| the chemical reactions that happen as a result of | | | | climate control plan is complete. |
| the two. | | | | Lighting and UV Exposure Control |
| Wine should be aged in conditions ranging between | | | | Wine is damaged by UV exposure, which is why |
| 55 and 65 percent humidity and a steady 55 | | | | the bottles are normally constructed out of dark |
| degrees Fahrenheit, give or take one degree. | | | | glass. Avoid installing fluorescent bulbs in the wine |
| Wine held at higher temperatures will mature | | | | cellar room, as they give off UV radiation. Control |
| quicker and wine experiences chemical reactions | | | | the intensity by using recessed lighting on a |
| at higher temperatures that destroy the notes of | | | | dimmer and avoid shining light directly on your |
| the wine over time. | | | | wine bottles for long periods of time. Some wine |
| In some locations of the country, property | | | | racks are created with compartments that hide |
| holders with basements often find that the | | | | bottles from the light which can help lessen the |
| environment is right for basic wine storage, but | | | | exposure, but if your bottles are kept in plain |
| seasonal temperature and humidity variations | | | | view, try to avoid the spotlight effect on |
| should be avoided. The perfect storage solution is | | | | your bottles. |
| a custom-built or DIY-construction wine cellar with | | | | Other Concerns |
| climate and humidity control using a wine cooling | | | | Almost any kind of flooring can be used in your |
| unit to keep the temperature at a steady 55 | | | | custom wine cellar. If your home is large enough |
| degrees. | | | | for a tasting room to complement your cellar, |
| These units are available in a range of sizes and | | | | you may wish to give them both a matching look, |
| the dimensions of your wine cellar room will | | | | but never use carpet and rugs in the cellar area. |
| control what size you need to purchase. By no | | | | They simply can’t hold up to the required |
| means buy a wine cellar cooling system too small | | | | humidity levels without surrendering to mold. Mold |
| for your room; you most likely will never get a | | | | growth will ruin your wine, as can any strong odor |
| steady, optimal storage temperature and the | | | | from chemicals or cheeses. A wine cellar should |
| cooling unit will become overtaxed trying to keep | | | | be used only to hold wine; store food in a |
| up. | | | | separate space. |
| Wine cooling units require proper venting, and your | | | | Constantly watch the temperature and humidity in |
| wine cellar construction plan demands either a hole | | | | your wine cellar with an external sensor or gauge. |
| in the wall to allow venting outdoors or enough | | | | Never assume that the wine cooling system will |
| vent space to move warm air out of the room. | | | | always function accurately. A quick glimpse at the |
| Check the specs of your wine cooling system; | | | | external gauge can offer you early notice if the |
| most require a venting space at least two times | | | | wine cooling unit is having difficulties, or if the unit |
| as large as the wine cellar space itself. | | | | is showing a faulty readout because of a bad |
| Electrical power is also an issue. Custom wine | | | | sensor or other technical troubles. |
| cellar builders suggest a dedicated power source | | | | |