Wine Cellar Construction
Unless local codes dictate otherwise, standard 2 x 4 framing is sufficient. Electrical work should be completed to code prior to insulation and drywall. A Vapor Barrier is critical in controlling the humidity of your wine cellar. The ideal humidity of your wine cellar will be much greater than that of the rest of your home. A vapor barrier separates the two conditions and keeps the higher humidity from flowing out of the room. It also prevents warm and moist air (in high temperature and humidity areas) from entering the room, eliminating excess condensation and build-up from the cooling unit. A 6 mil poly/plastic (sold in rolls or sheets) should be stapled over the studs before the insulation is applied. From within the wine cellar, your layers should be: plywood - sheet rock (greenboard) - insulation - vapor barrier.
The interior walls of your wine cellar should be insulated with a minimum of R-13 and preferably R-19 insulation. If you live in areas of very high summer temperatures or very low winter temperatures, we recommend that you insulate with R-19 (minimum) and R-30 where your framing allows. Ceilings should be insulated to a minimum of R-19. Concrete walls and floors should be sealed with a sealant (such as "Dry Lock") to seal all cracks.
Generally 1/2" plywood sheeting will be secured to all walls (after electrical rough in and insulation) to anchor your wine racking to, but it is not required if using nailers between studs. Although a standard 1/2"-3/4" sheet rock may be used, it is highly recommended that you use moisture resistant "green board". Your wallboard may be finished with a quality oil base or latex enamel paint. We do not recommend installing a baseboard as the racking will be flush to the entire wall and include a toe-kick molding.
In selecting a door for your wine cellar, please choose a solid core, exterior grade door. All doors should be weather stripped and completely sealed to prevent loss of cooling and/or infiltration of warm air that will cause condensation. If you select a decorative glass door, be certain that the glass is thermo-pane and tinted.
Other factors to be considered in the construction of your wine cellar include locations of electrical switches (in order not to be covered by racking) and locations of plumbing and lighting. Proper lighting should be low heat (if lighting will be left on) and properly insulated and installed. If your wine racking is single depth, your lighting should be a minimum of 16" from walls and 28" from walls when double deep racking is used.