| If you are into collecting vintage wines or just a | | | | ensure you can achieve this requirement, having a |
| lover of fine wines, it would be best to secure | | | | wall unit air conditioner, split system for |
| such investment. Take a look at your basement | | | | temperature and humidity control or duct system |
| as it is probably the best place to serve as your | | | | are some of your options. |
| wine cellar. But before embarking on this additional | | | | 2. Wall framing and flooring improvement - lumber |
| home feature, employ stress-free ways you can | | | | is usually used to frame the walls of a basement |
| turn a plain basement into a threshold of | | | | to make it more suitable for stocking wines. Cold |
| wonderful wines. | | | | floors can be improved by combining furring strips |
| Firstly, decide how you want your wine cellar to | | | | and foam insulation. You might also want to |
| be. Is it an elaborate room or just a simple one? | | | | consider having new flooring material that can |
| Envision how many bottles the cellar would hold. | | | | effectively resist dampness, such as hardwood or |
| Conceptualize a rough draft of its lay out and | | | | tile. |
| design, including the details of the racks and | | | | 3. Room insulation - further protection against |
| storage facilities. Be decisive as well if the new | | | | excessive moisture is by having a |
| space would only be for storing wines or you | | | | moisture-resistant sheath installed in the interior |
| prefer to have an adjacent wine tasting room in | | | | walls and floor. Use R19 wall insulation and R30 |
| it. | | | | ceiling insulation for best results. A vapor barrier, |
| As you determine every inch and detail of the | | | | typically 6 or 8 mil plastic sheeting can also boost |
| cellar, take into consideration the cost of the | | | | insulation. |
| project. Settle on whether you or a professional | | | | 4. Electricity, lighting and miscellaneous items - |
| contractor would take over the construction. | | | | these are essential to be considered especially if |
| While you may save massively on doing this | | | | you want to incorporate a wine tasting room in |
| yourself, it is equally important that you only | | | | the basement. The electricity supply has to be |
| proceed if you have proper skills and knowledge | | | | sufficient to support the cooling system. The |
| about having a proper wine storage system. | | | | lighting fixtures and furniture pieces in the wine |
| What could help you in budgeting is to do some | | | | tasting area should not cause an imbalance to the |
| canvassing of the key wine cellar materials. Check | | | | room temperature. For example, light bulbs with |
| out online shops or local stores and see current | | | | high voltage may emit heat, which can upset the |
| prices for different types of racks or other | | | | controlled temperature. Heavily upholstered chairs |
| storage items. | | | | can absorb sweat, which in turn when massed up |
| In addition, factor in other important components | | | | can cause the room to be damper. |
| that are mandatory in a wine preservation room. | | | | Most basements are easily ready to be converted |
| A great cellar has these basic needs: | | | | into a wine cellar. But to be sure your wines |
| 1. Optimal room temperature - the room should | | | | would have the best preservation environment, |
| have a 55 to 59 degree Fahrenheit temperature | | | | take into account the steps above. These can |
| with humidity between 60 and 70 percent. Lower | | | | give your wines longer shelf life compared to |
| temperatures may lead wines to taste flat. To | | | | storing them in the refrigerator. |