Build Your Own Wine Cellar
How To Build A Wine Cellar
I recommend the cellar walls be made with 2”x 6” framing. Use R-19 fiberglass batts for insulation, plus a layer .6 mil plastic as a vapor barrier on the side of the walls away from the wine. [warm side of wall] Overlap plastic edges and tape with foil tape.
Wall Material:
I prefer cedar or redwood but moisture resistant gypsum board, stucco, or tile can be used.
Ceiling:
Doors:
Floors:
Slate tile is my flooring of choice, the natural earthy colors make the wine cellar feel like a cellar or cave.
Be sure to install a vapor barrier under the floor; for concrete floors, treat with a water sealant. For floors less than four feet below grade, a minimum of R19 insulation is recommended.
Cooling the cellar:
Cooling units are usually installed approximately eighteen inches from the top of the room in order to achieve maximum cooling. The unit will also require an unobstructed airflow and adequate ventilation to dissipate the heat generated by the unit. These units are frequently vented into an adjacent room and the venting space needs to be as large or larger than the wine cellar.
It is also possible to install a split air system into a wine cellar although this type of wine cellar cooling system can be rather expensive with prices running into many thousands of dollars.
A split system has a separate evaporator and condenser module with the condenser module mounted outside the wine cellar. A split air system offers added flexibility when doing custom installations or dealing with unusual site problems.
What time is the tasting?