All of these posts on cellar construction have caused me to want to build a new cellar. My current cellar was carved out of my third car garage about seven years ago and I have outgrown it (racks for 500 and I have about 700 bottles in it with cases on the floor). I could expand it further, but it is still in the garage.
Off of our living room, the prior owners had added on a room that is about 10’ x 15’. It has Mahogany double french doors leading to the living room which I would change out for properly insulated doors. We had used it when the kids were younger as a “game room” for video games. Now, it has a desk and a treadmill. The wife says she will consider converting it into a cellar if I also have a table and bar area in it. I believe those would actually get used for entertaining once a month, at most.
First problem is the room has a large window (48"x 72") in the front that faces the front of the house (it has a southern exposure but not too much direct sun thanks to some trees) so closing it up changes the look of the house. Second problem is the room also has a slider at the other end that exits to the rear yard. I can easily close up that door or since it is dual glazed and does not have any sun exposure, I could probably live with it.
If I use this room, I would open up all drywall, and replace the batt insulation with spray foam insulation. I will have proper cooling - I may even oversize it if needed. The first question is whether I am “doomed” to either moisture or “extensive” cooling loss if I leave the front window in place? I could install an interior wall in front of the window (maybe with some backlighting), so it is not noticeable from the street if it is a real issue, but I thought the window could be a nice touch in the cellar.
Second issue is if I occasionally open up the cellar for entertaining time (figure two-three hours), so the ambient temperature rises from 55 to 70 or so, will the slight warm-up cause too much temperature variation in the wine itself? I would think not but would this cause anyone concern (I know others have tables in their cellars).
South facing is not great. Windows the same (heat loss and potential light). Plus with front facing windows the curb appeal will be down and nobody else will likely want a cellar there in the future and you’ve reduced the LT value of main floor room.
Lastly entertaining in a cellar sounds nice and is in photos but too cold. Those who go that route pretty much all wish they had not.
It really sounds like a lot to overcome for proper storage. I agree with John that the temperature inside would be quite cold for entertaining.
It sounds like a great room however. What do you think about the option of putting in a couple of large decorative wine units like La Cache or Vinoteque as storage for near term (within next 5 years drinking) and use the garage cellar for longer term stuff. The units are expensive, but decorative, and with the addition of the table and chairs, along with a small tasting table, would make for a room that would work for your wife’s purposes as well as yours. And the look of the house wouldn’t be affected from the outside.
When I moved to my current house, I had a similar dilemma which I solved by buying two 500 bottle wine units. I then bought a bistro table to put between them. Issues with a vapor barrier and insulation are too much in this case.
Thanks for the input. Since I already have plenty of cooling for the garage unit, even if expanded, the best alternative seems to be to use the space as a tasting/bar area and expanding the garage cellar. I liked the idea of in-the-house look rather than bringing people through the garage to get to the cellar but that may not be in the cards, for now.
Bruce- a friend of mine had some of the same issues trying to convert his dining room into a cellar. They came up with a great idea with their contractor. They came off the wall about 3-4 feet and built a wall of wine from floor to ceiling. It has bins on the bottom and single racks above the tasting shelf and the front is all glass. He left the rest of the room alone and built a nice seating area right in front.
The only issue is he has a tough time getting it to 57 degrees. It usually stays right at 60 but it should work out w/o harm to the wine.
You could install insulating glass with a slight reflective quality to the exterior.
There are insulating blinds available (I have some) that do a fairly good job (not near as good as foam or batting).
Keeping your window IS DOABLE!