Tag Archives: wine cellar insulation

Wine Cellar Insulation and the Crucial Components of Wine Cellar Construction

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The design and construction of a custom wine cellar in Chicago are likened to transforming a room into a giant refrigerator.  The key to controlling and maintaining the ideal climate conditions for storing and aging wines is a properly constructed wine storage room.  This implies that, aside from installing a climate control system, wine cellar insulation and vapor barriers must also be applied to the wall surface of the storage space.

Wine Cellar Construction Chicago

Wine Cellar Construction Chicago

Wine cellar insulation is a significant component of wine cellar construction because it helps keep the temperature and humidity levels stable, as well as prevents mold and mildew growth.  Installing the proper grade of insulation is essential to achieving the right moisture control and ensures the efficiency of a climate-controlled wine cellar.

There is a range of building insulation materials that wine cellar builders can use in wine cellar construction Chicago, such as rigid foam, fiberglass batts, and blow-in insulation.  Insulation with a minimum of R-19 thickness is required for the walls and R-30 for the ceiling.  Basically, insulation materials with a high R-value have good thermal insulating properties.

Vapor Barrier for Wine Cellar Insulation

Vapor Barrier for Wine Cellar Insulation

A vapor barrier is a damp-proofing material, specifically designed to prevent external moisture accumulation and transfer through the wall surface.  Its primary function is to shield the building envelope and insulation against serious moisture damage.  Vapor diffusion retarders also restrict air leakage through the wall and wall components.

Proper placement of vapor barriers is always on the warm side of the insulation.  Installing vapor barriers on the cold side will allow condensation to form and cause damage to the wall surface.  If vapor diffusion retarders cannot be installed on the outside walls and ceiling, wine cellar builders in Chicago apply them within the storage space by encasing the entire building envelope in plastic.

Wine cellar insulation and vapor barriers protect a wine storage room against the diffusion of warm moist air through the walls.  When warm air from the outside commingles with the cool air of a wine cellar space, condensation starts to form.  The presence of condensation can lead to mold and mildew growth that will cause damage to the walls, as well as to the wine collectibles.

Another crucial component of wine cellar construction is proper cooling equipment.  The optimum wine storage temperature and humidity are between 55 to 58 degrees Fahrenheit and 60 to 75 percent, respectively.  Wine cellar cooling units are engineered to help maintain the ideal levels of temperature and relative humidity.  With insulation and vapor barriers in place, climate control systems can create the best possible environment for storing and aging wine collectibles.

Wine Cellar Cooling Unit for Wine Cellar Insulation

Wine Cellar Cooling Unit for Wine Cellar Insulation

Wine cellar refrigeration systems come in a variety of designs that can accommodate various needs and applications.  The three primary types of wine cellar cooling units are self-contained through the wall cooling units, ductless split climate control systems, and ducted-split refrigeration systems.  Each unit has its own unique features, but all are specifically engineered to provide optimal wine storage conditions.

Wine Cellar SPecialists - Wine Cellar Builders

Wine Cellar Specialists – Wine Cellar Builders

When deciding to install a custom wine cellar, whether it is a private wine storage room or a large-scale commercial wine room, consulting with professional wine cellar builders and designers is highly recommended.  These professional wine cellar construction Chicago experts can help design, build and install a dedicated custom wine room wherein wine collectibles can age to perfection.

Click here to check out wine cellar construction projects in Chicago – https://www.customwinecellarschicago.com/.

Spray Foam Insulation For Top Quality Projects

New, better solutions are now available for high-end custom wine cellar construction, we now recommend using spray foam insulation. Polyurethane spray foam offers dramatically better climate control and removes the need to install a separate vapor barrier. If you want the best for your wine cellar installation call Wine Cellar Specialists +1 (773) 234-0112 and ask about the latest in spray in foam solutions.

Importance of Proper Insulation and Lighting in Wine Cellars

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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.

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                        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.

Read more about custom wine cellar lighting here!

                               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.