We get more requests for wine storage areas of all sizes in the homes we design. Here is a look at what is happening out there in the world of home wine storage:
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| This is great use of space for someone with a modest collection of wines and cigars. |
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| For the aficionado with 300+ bottles and the room to display them. |
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| Commit a room to the task. |
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| This presentation is more in keeping with a traditional Mediterranean home. |
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| Perhaps you can simply plan for or convert a closet? |
The question most often asked is, “Can I put a wine cellar anywhere in the home?” The answer is yes, but the location that you choose will have a future impact on the cost of maintaining your cellar. A wine cellar should be placed in the coolest and most humid place in your home. Bearing in mind that you must maintain the 55°-58° F temperature and 55-75% humidity that your wine will need, the heat gain calculation for your wine cellar should take into consideration the surrounding environment that will affect the wine cellar. If the surrounding environment has an average yearly temperature of 85°, compared to an average temperature of 65° then you will have to purchase a larger cooling unit in order to maintain proper conditions. A dry environment will also require a more frequent introduction of humidity.
A cellar is the often the most cost-effective place, even in the Caribbean, to place your wine collection. If you do not have that option, look at an interior space that will benefit from the central air systems of the home, but remember that the room will require its own dedicated air service and humidification. Insulation and vapor barriers (closed cell foam is a great option) must be introduced on all six walls and water resistant drywall (green board) must be used for framing out the room. Wine cellar doors should be exterior grade, sealed on three sides with weather-stripping, and the bottom with a threshold and sweep. Glass doors, as illustrated above, should be thermopaned to both insulate and to avoid condensation buildup.
As you can see, it is a complex task to build a room that takes proper care of your precious wine and cigars, but if you are serious connoisseur, put it on that “must have” list!
