Concord Carpenter

Installing A Wine Closet

By Robert Robillard on Design

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Converting A Closet Into A Wine Cellar

Storing wine does not necessarily mean you need a huge project of installing a wine closet or wine cellar.

Look for Available Space

When considering installing a wine closet look for available or unused space such as a small closet, the dead space under stairs, an alcove or the corner of a room.  Any of these spaces can easily be transformed into a beautiful wine closet.

Wine Storage 101

The most important rule when storing wine is to avoid large temperature changes or fluctuations and this should be your goal when installing a wine closet.  That means adding refrigeration specifically designed for storing wine.

Wine Temperature

When installing a wine closet try to obtain a 55 to 58ºF as the preferred temperature range for a wine closet. Higher temperatures will age wine more rapidly and cooler temperatures will slow down the aging process. Damage to the wine can result if your wine is kept at a temperature above 82ºF for even a month.

A Relative Humidity of 60% to 70% aisideal for long-term wine storage. A cool temperature slows the aging process, while high humidity helps to swell the cork, which minimizes oxidation. (Oxidation occurs when air reaches the wine.) Ultraviolet light penetration should also be kept to a minimum or avoided.

Adding a vapor barrier, wall, ceiling and floor insulation and a tight insulated door  will ensure you can maintain temperatures efficiently.  A wine cooler designed to support the cubic feet of the closet will ensure that your closet maintains perfect temperatures.

Wine Storage

Consider purchasing custom, modular or stack-able wine rack units when installing a wine closet.  The racks will keep your bottles in the proper storage position.

Stackable racks are less than four feet tall, perfect for closets or those odd-shaped nooks, alcoves or areas under the stairs. Stack side-by-side, or you can reach almost eight feet tall by stacking them one on top of the other. This rack comes in the same species of wood and ranges from $200.00 to $ 300.00.