Showcase Your Wines w/ Chicago Commercial Wine Storage Racks

Written by CustomWineCellarsChicago

Wine storage racks are excellent management tools for organizing and displaying a large number of wine collectibles. They are built to facilitate the proper positioning of wine bottles during storage.

Most racking systems allow bottles to be stored on their side to maintain wine contact with the cork which prevents it from becoming brittle. A dried-out cork can cause oxidation and irreversibly damage the wine.

A myriad of styles and sizes are available on the market that can accommodate a variety of storage needs and requirements. Wine cellar racks are manufactured using various wood species and metal pieces. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages, but can nevertheless produce wine storage racks that are both functional and visually appealing.

There are two kinds of wine racks: those which are designed for residential homes or private wine cellars and those which are for commercial display and storage. Chicago commercial wine racks are commonly used by wine merchants and restaurateurs to display and showcase a wide selection of wines to their customers.

Although they are mostly used in the wine retail and hospitality industries, there are some private wine collectors who invest in commercial racking because of its strength and enduring quality.

Commercial custom wine racks are similar to residential wine racking systems in terms of functionality and appearance. However, commercial wine racks are built to be more durable and sturdy. They are made this way in order to withstand damage and deterioration due to regular use.

The commercial wine display furniture is designed to hold a vast selection of wine bottles in varying sizes. Commercial wine racks provide various racking designs and storage options for collectors who are in the wine retail or restaurant business. Racking systems for commercial use allow wine bottles to be displayed label forward to make it easier for customers to locate their favorite brands of wine.

Commercial diamond cube bins are also available for bulk storage and case lots. A wine cube bin has twice the storage capacity of a single bottle wine rack and takes up less floor space.

How wine bottles are displayed inside a retail store can greatly influence the buying decision of customers. Hence, commercial wine racks are not only designed to hold wine bottles properly but also enhance the visual appeal of the wine selection.

These Chicago wine storage racks come in a variety of styles that can address display requirements and space constraints. Some commercial racking systems are made to fit against a wall or allow for aisle displays.

There are commercial wine racks that are specifically made for chic restaurants. Most of these display devices have a contemporary look that can provide elegance and striking appeal to any establishment. A growing trend in the restaurant business is the installation of active Chicago commercial wine cellars, which are equipped with wine cooling units to ensure optimum conditions.

Since these commercial wine enclaves are visible throughout the dining area, it is important to pick out the right kind of commercial wine display furniture to install as this can lend character and improve the aesthetic quality of the entire space.

Importance of Proper Insulation and Lighting in Wine Cellars

Written by CustomWineCellarsChicago

A properly functioning wine cellar needs more than just a cooling system to help achieve the necessary conditions for storing and aging wines. Efficient insulation is an essential aspect of proper wine storage. A highly insulated wine storage room ensures that the storage environment is stable enough for wines to mature to their full potential.

Check out more custom wine cellars here!

Custom Wine Cellars Chicago Illinois

There are three primary reasons for insulating custom wine cellars in Chicago Illinois: it lowers energy costs, prevents temperature swings, and maintains the humidity at ideal levels. Poor wine cellar insulation causes the cooling unit to work doubly hard to meet the required climate conditions, which can lead to the system breaking down more often and thereby contribute to higher energy bills.

In order to keep temperature levels within 55 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity at 60% to 75%, all components of a wine cellar that can potentially bring outside air into the storage space should be thoroughly insulated. This means that insulation should not only be limited to cellar walls, but also extend to the cellar entry door, the floor, the windows, and the ceiling.

Common materials used for insulating custom wine cellars are fiberglass, foam board, and drywall. Fiberglass insulation materials are water resistant and offer versatility in installation because they can be used for various structural applications. Foam board provides ease of installation and requires no maintenance because it is not prone to decay. Drywall has mold and moisture-resistant features that help prevent mold and mildew growth.

Custom Wine Cellar Lighting

Another important aspect that can impact the overall condition of wine cellars is the lighting system. Using proper lighting will keep wines safe from the effects of harmful light sources. A minimal amount of light not only accentuates the various wine bottles on display but also creates the perfect mood for the wine cellar.

The right kind of wine cellar lighting should provide enough illumination to view wine labels properly, find your way around the room, and conduct wine soirees without generating too much heat that can cause irreversible damage to your wine collection.

Keep in mind that not all light bulbs are suitable for wine cellars. Regular light bulbs should be avoided because they have higher heat emissions that can drive up energy costs and increase room temperature. On the other hand, LED-based lighting is ideal for wine cellars because of its energy efficiency and low heat generation.

Wine cellar lighting options come in various designs and configurations, such as recessed can light, track lighting, wall sconces, and recessed halogen lighting systems. Recessed can lights are installed on ceilings that allow you to accentuate specific areas of the wine room. The track lighting system is mostly used for highlighting wine labels stored in wine racks with a high reveal display row.

Wall sconces provide better light distribution. They are usually mounted at eye level to create the desired lighting effect. Recessed halogen lighting systems can add a dramatic flair to any wine cellar interior. This lighting system is equipped with baffles to reduce brightness. Remember to only use halogen bulbs with UV protective coating to protect wines from UV damage.

Installing dimmer switches and light timers in your wine room can provide additional protection to your investment. Dimmer switches allow you to adjust the brightness inside the wine cellar. Light timers help save energy, lower energy bills and minimize exposure of wine bottles to light.

A Look at Beautiful Santa Barbara Project Designed by IWA Design Specialist Jimmy Simmons

Written by CustomWineCellarsChicago

If you’re looking to create your very own custom wine cellar, keep in mind both functionality and aesthetic appeal. For example, this wine cellar was built in Santa Barbara California. It was made with black-finished, earthquake-proof metal wine racks.

The racks were Vintage View Metal Wine racks, and the builders included special straps to secure the bottles to the racks. Thanks to this addition, the wine bottles would be held firmly in place in the event of an earthquake.

The client also requested a label forward display aspect, for the purpose of more easily distinguishing between the many wines within his large collection. The racks were able to hold a variety of bottle shapes as well, allowing the client to store all of his wines in one cellar.

The building of the wine cellar began in March and was completed in May, just a couple of months after. International Wine Accessories’ had Jimmy Simmons, one of their most experienced wine cellar designers, take on the project.
Jimmy Simmons took a few key aspects into account. First off, the cellar required a proper refrigeration system, to maintain the ideal temperature and humidity. It also needed to hold as many wine bottles as possible, as well as protect those wines during earthquakes.

A CellarPro 3200VSi cooling unit with a rear duct kit and an aluminum filter was chosen, and wine racks 3 bottles deep were constructed (holding a total of 936 bottles) and were made earthquake-proof through the method entailed above.

The cooling unit was ducted through the new wall by the door, making it unnecessary to engineer the existing concrete walls. The bare concrete was framed out, insulated, and clad with marine-grade plywood. The CellarPro Wine Cellar Cooling unit used was unique, because a filtration system was included. In fact, CellarPro is the only manufacturer that offers a filter like this.

Although earthquake resistance isn’t necessary for Chicago, the fact remains that IWA can create the optimal wine cellar taking any environment and aesthetic appeal into account.
If you want to learn more about this project, or about the people that made it happen, click here:
http://www.iwawine.com/custom-wine-cellars-santa-barbara-california-bishop.html

Custom Wine Cellars Specialists – 2013 Best of Houzz Awardee

Written by CustomWineCellarsChicago

Nancy Noga, owner and founder of Wine Cellar Specialists Chicago, recently picked up an award for Houzz’s “Best of Houzz” 2013. Houzz is a popular online community that focuses on architecture, home improvement, design, and decorating. Based on reviews and ratings of 11 million monthly users, Wine Cellar Specialists emerged as the winner in the Customer Satisfaction category.

Houzz has an extensive collection of interior and exterior photographs of residential homes, and it features articles written by remodeling professionals and home design specialists. The website is a useful tool for homeowners who may require the services of home improvement experts.

The aim of Houzz’s Best of Houzz award is to give recognition to professionals in the field of remodeling and design. Top-notch professionals and experts are singled out by the Houzz community for their high-quality customer service and excellent design skills.

Best of Houzz 2013 has two categories: Customer Satisfaction and Design. Winners of the Customer Satisfaction award are chosen by homeowner members, and they are evaluated according to their work quality. As evidenced by the number of professional images saved to Houzz ideabooks, the works of Design awardees are popular amongst the Houzzers (or Houzz users).

Houzz’s Best of Houzz 2013 is regarded as the yardstick of remodeling and decorating excellence. This award also serves as the platform for influencing architectural styles and design ideas worldwide. Best of Houzz 2013 is awarded to remodeling experts like Custom Wine Cellars Chicago Specialists for their creative contribution to renovation and design projects for residential properties.

Click here to see more pictures of our wine cellars!

Custom Wine Cellars Chicago by Wine Cellars SPecialists

Custom Wine Cellars Chicago Specialists has been in the custom wine cellar construction business for many years. With numerous wine cellar projects under their belt, they are the leading experts in building the perfect wine storage room for residential and commercial use.

This design-build firm works individually with clients from beginning to end of wine cellar projects. They offer free consultation and 3D wine cellar design services for clients to better visualize the outcome of the project. Wine Cellar Specialist Chicago also provides the best custom racking systems, wine cellar doors, flooring materials, and cooling systems.

With every wine cellar project they take on, their main objective is to turn a remodeling idea into a reality, using only the best materials available and staying within the client’s budget. Wine Cellar Specialists Chicago makes it a point to understand the storage needs and desires of their clients and integrate this information into the actual construction of the wine cellar.

Whichever location you choose for your storage space – be it a closet, basement, or under the stairs – Wine Cellar Specialists Chicago is committed to creating a beautiful and dedicated wine cellar based on your design preferences and specifications.

Their dedication to providing quality products and services to clients is the reason Wine Cellar Specialists Chicago is this year’s recipient of Houzz’s “Best of Remodeling” Customer Satisfaction award. This award is solid proof of their creativity and professionalism, as well as a reflection of their innovative and unique design ideas.

Read the press release here http://www.houzz.com/press/7/Houzz-Unveils-2013—-Best-of-Remodeling—-Winners?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRolv6vBZKXonjHpfsX56%2BksXKag38431UFwdcjKPmjr1YEDRMt0dvycMRAVFZl5nQRXD%2FqP

Keep Your Wine Cellar Cool in the Hot Chicago Heat with Advanced Wine Cellar Cooling Systems

Written by CustomWineCellarsChicago

Chicago is no Los Angeles in terms of heat, but it is still important to keep your wine at the perfect temperature and humidity to enjoy it better.

So if you are serious about your wine, then you will want to invest in a custom wine cellar. Storing your vintage and expensive wines properly is key to great wine for years to come.

Every wine cellar needs to have a wine cellar refrigeration system. They are a lot more advanced than simple window cooling systems and can maintain an exact temperature and humidity for your wine collection.

To properly age wine needs exact temperature and humidity levels, making the refrigeration system key to your wine cellar. Cutting money here could mean ruining your wine collection through overheating.

Investing in a cheap refrigeration system might keep your wine safe for a short time, but can be just as devastating as not having a refrigeration system at all.

Refrigeration systems may fail when they are under a lot of stress if they are built with cheaper components. Unfortunately, most wine cellar refrigeration system manufacturers cut costs to make as much profit as possible.

And since you are buying from a manufacturer and having the unit installed by a local HVAC contractor it can be confusing who to ask to get your unit repaired or replaced. Often you will have to pay out of your pocket for the repairs and the whole thing can be a huge hassle.

The hassle can be avoided by avoiding these types of manufacturers…

Shopping from a licensed refrigeration contractor such as Arctic Metalworks is your best choice. They’ll take responsibility for the reliability of your system and will provide you with the best service and maintenance you could ask for.

Not only that but their systems are made from the highest quality components in order to give you one of the most reliable systems on the market.

Read more about these amazing contractors here… Arctic Metalworks Custom Wine Cellar & Refrigeration Systems

Wine Cellar Refrigeration Systems Chicago, Basic Components

Written by CustomWineCellarsChicago

Get a clear understanding of how the cooling system in your wine cellar works. At Custom Wine Cellars Chicago we are always on the lookout for helpful content that helps our clients understand all about their custom wine cellars. We think this video by Dan Phillips of US Cellar Systems does a great job of explaining the basic processes of a cooling system.

Wine Cellar Cooling System – How It Works

Enhanced Video Transcription, Wine Cellar Cooling System – How It Works

Hello, my name is Dan Philips owner and technical adviser for US Cellar Systems. Today we’re going to go over the basic components of a wine cellar refrigerated system and how refrigeration systems work generally.

This will give you a basic understanding of how the cooling system for your wine cellar operates.

The Primary Components of a Wine Cellar Refrigeration System Are:

The Compressor
The Condenser
The Metering Device
The Evaporator Coil

The refrigeration cycle starts with the compressor, which brings in a low-pressure, low-temperature gas from the evaporator coil. It then compresses the gas into a high-pressure, high-temperature gas and then forces it into the condenser.

The condenser condenses the high-pressure, high-temperature gas into a high-pressure warm liquid. It does this either by moving air across the coil or by using some other medium that can be used to take the heat out of the refrigerant. Then this high-pressure warm liquid will move through the system to the metering device. The metering device causes a drop in pressure where the gas goes from a high-pressure, high-temperature liquid to a low-pressure, low-temperature liquid.

It is this change in pressure from, low to high that causes it to get very cold. The liquid, on moving into the evaporator, thus absorbs heat from the room in just about the reverse process of what the condenser does by the warmer air coming in across the evaporator coil. The ambient heat in the air is being absorbed causing the air to cool, this cooler air is then returned back to the room.

Dan Phillips US Cellar Systems Owner & Expert – Wine Cellar Refrigeration Units

This process turns the liquid refrigerant back into your low-pressure, low-temperature gas and it returns back to the compressor to repeat the cycle.

Visit US Cellar Systems at WineCellarRefrigerationSystems.com to find a reseller near you or call +1 (562) 513-3017. US Cellar Systems is a Trade Only wholesale supplier of innovative wine cellar refrigeration equipment.

We will provide advice to homeowners and design consultants and can put you in touch with professional installers should you have a custom wine cellar or commercial wine display cabinet project.