Under Stairs Wine Cellar

If you enjoy wine, but are short on space, an under stairs wine cellar might be the solution you're looking for.

Step By Step

The first step in building your wine cellar is to remove the old interior walls, leaving just the frame. Next, place a moisture barrier against the framing and outside of the insulation. 6 mill plastic sheets work fine and are available at any hardware store.

The next step is to wire for any electrical needs. You will need an outlet for your cooling unit and wiring for an interior light. Most cellar builders recommend using very low voltage lighting - LED preferred. Any electrical wiring must be done prior to insulation.

The next step is insulation. The most important step in the construction of this compact wine cellar is properly insulating and sealing the space. R-14 insulation on the cellar walls and R-19 insulation on the cellar ceiling is what's recommended.

After your space is properly insulated, install your walls. Standard 5/8 inch drywall boards can be used, although green board will give you added mildew protection. Be careful to tape and seal each joint. Finally, once your drywall is sealed, you can paint for the finishing touch.

Other Components

The other elements of your under stairs wine cellar to consider are your door, your flooring, your wine racks, and your cooling unit.

If you decide on a glass door, you must use dual pane glass for proper insulation. Then seal the door carefully with one of several varieties of weather stripping you can find at your local hardware store.

Once the door is sealed, have one person go into the dark cellar and attempt to shine a flashlight beam outside along the entire length of the stripping. If the person on the outside sees no light coming through, you've got a tight seal.

If you want to add a floor, always use hard surface flooring in a wine cellar, never use carpet. The concrete floor will be fine if you don't have enough budget for a floor. But you would have to add a vapor barrier to protect the wine from too much humidity getting into your wine cellar.

There are a wide variety of wine racks available depending upon the size and shape of your cellar and the final look you want. The racks can be the single most expensive component of your cellar. A wide selection of racks at various prices are available on-line.

There are a variety of cooling units available and all are rated for the cubic footage of interior space needed to cool. Always err on the high side. Choose a unit with a digital readout so you can constantly monitor the interior temperature of your wine cellar.

Fill with wine and enjoy!

Contact me if you have questions about an under stairs wine cellar by clicking here.

Return From Under Stairs Wine Cellar To Home Page.

Return From Under Stairs Wine Cellar To Building A Wine Cellar.

How Much Is Your Project Worth? Find out NOW - for FREE! Complete this form with no obligation to hire.

Or call 866-452-3059.

See what your wine cellar project will cost - call 866-452-3059 for free quotes with no obligation to hire.