Climate Controlled Wine Cellar: Mistakes to Avoid

Enthusiastic wine lovers are naturally drawn to adding a climate controlled wine cellar to their home. When going the do-it-yourself route, there are several common mistakes to be avoided, and simple errors people tend to make. Most of those errors are associated with trying to curb spending.

air duct vent in wine cellar

There are certain necessary elements that are required to create the ideal wine storage environment. Temperature, moisture, and lighting are all factors. Buying less expensive and therefore less reliable equipment can reduce expenses, but the health of your wine may suffer, and that makes cutting costs regrettable. The following points outline some mistakes to avoid when building a climate controlled wine cellar in your home or office.

Vapour barrier gaps allow moisture into climate controlled wine cellars

cellarpro wine cellar cooling unit behind racksA tricky aspect of building a climate-controlled wine cellar is installing the enveloping vapour barrier correctly. When done wrong, and moisture is allowed to enter the walls, the result is usually mold growth. This element of wine cellar creation is often best to left to professional wine cellar construction experts.  Read our blog on mold in wine cellars.

However, our team is willing to provide helpful guidance for those who handle their own wine cellar construction. We cannot stress enough the importance of a proper insulation job!

Exterior windows need UV coating to protect against sunlight

One of the most important basics of wine cellar design is to protect wine from UV light. Most folks either build underground or in any interior room under the roof, with no exterior walls or windows. If the goal is to properly maintain a climate controlled wine cellar, one of the worst situations is to have heat coming in through the glass of an exterior window. It is a design flaw that can rarely be overcome.

Armstrong Cellar

Inadequate door to wine cellar

The door of a climate controlled wine cellar must make a thermal seal and be medium to heavy-grade. It must seal correctly, to avoid problems related to moisture. When the door to a wine cellar closes it should ‘thump’ to make a seal. When a lesser door is chosen, to trim costs, the result can be increased costs as the cooler will work harder or in the worst case scenario, a spoiled wine collection.

Wrong climate controlled wine cellar cooling system

wine cellar cooling units for sale

There are numerous wine cellar cooling units to choose from, including various models by different top manufacturers. It isn’t enough to know that, for instance, Wine Guardian, WhisperKool, and CellarPro are leading brands. There are certain specifications to be met, in connection with the cooling unit you choose for your wine cellar. The right decision needs to be made, but it can be complex matter for a layperson. The professionals at Rosehill Wine Cellars can help you make the correct wine cooling unit choice for your wine cellar.

Low-quality wine racking

You could put your entire wine collection at risk by storing it on wine racks made from cheap kits that are not fastened properly. Carpenters with no knowledge about wine storage can also be a poor option for adding wine racks to your wine cellar. The style of quality racks can vary greatly. While serving the same function, you can choose wine racks that fit your personal design choice.  Rosehill Wine Cellars can help with quality wine racking, including proper storage for large format wine bottles.