For those in the know. If I theoretically had a space that was about 14x10’, around 8ft ceilings, how would you configure for maximum storage (racked, not stacking boxes preferably) and how many bottles do you think could be stored?
Well, that´s (hope I´m correct) about 12.5 m2 … my own main cellar is 14m2 … and contains close to 4000 bottles, but partially in cases …
Sure it depends, but if you build your racks economically and up to the ceiling I estimate that 3000 bts should be possible …
I have two versions of racking for my 5x10 cellar. The one is aesthetically very nice and holds about 1000 bottles. The other is utilitarian and holds about 2000 bottles. So you need to figure out form vs function because the two are very different. I cant decide so it isnt racked yet.
I would agree with Gerhard, 3000 bottles for 12sq.m space should be possible. If you prefer single deep then go with an “peninsula” deisgn. Go floor to ceiling. This is what I have. I allowed about 0.7m space between the peninsulas and it is enough.
If you prefer double deep then you have all the walls (apart from doorway area) laid out with double deep rackng. The corners are a bit of an issue with double deep. With double deep you could have an island tower in the middle of the room.
If you are going for max storage then focus on function and efficiency rather than aesthetics.
Here are some photos of my cellar during construction phase
It depends on how you position your bottles. I had about 2000 in a space 5x10.
Figure that Burgundy bottles are about 3.5 inches. So along a wall that’s 10 feet, or 120 inches, you can just divide 120 by 3.5 and that’s how many you could put along the floor. But if you have individual slots, you’ll have an extra 1/2 inche for each rack. I built shelves so I could put six bottles across without upright standards being in the way.
Same from top to bottom. Eight feet high is 12x 8 inches, or 96. So divide that and you have the same potential but again you have to figure in the loss for shelving.
The least efficient way to store is to have individual slots like the cellars in the pics. But that’s also the most user-friendly. You can calculate bin space - because the bottles nestle into each other, they take up less than 3.5 inches per row. The downside is that it’s a pain to get to the bottom bottles.
Double deep is not optimum - to me it’s worse than bins. But you can put in a center aisle - try to leave yourself 2 feet between shelves for you to walk, carry boxes, etc. You can leave space on the bottom of each shelving system for boxes and then build individual racks above like in the pics. With that much space, you may as well do individual slots rather than bins.
I´ve built it myself with raw wooden spruce bars (those usually taken for roof construction here - they are quite cheap): 2" x 2" for the vertical ones, and 2" x 1+" for the horizontal ones … so I built spaces for 12 Bottles (mostly) and 6 bts. (some) … and on one side a rack for individual bottles. The rest of the space is for boxes and cartons.
All in all it looks similar to Broodies construction, but not so polished, neat and professional, rather cheaper and raw - but it serves the purpose perfectly …
costs per stored bottle was (in 1992) less than 10c. (+ my work)
If you were to do double depth racking around the perimeter with no displays, openings, bulk storage, etc you could get around 4000 bottles, with a nice design capacity would be closer to 3000.
Corrected my previous post. 14 ft long walls, not 10 feet
Im not certain you can get 3600 bottles in those racks. 20 bottles high for 8 ft ceilings by 35 columns for 14 ft walls is 700 bottles. Two walls is 1400 bottles plus the middle section of 1200 bottles. 2600 bottles max plus floor space.
(please allow to calculate in metric system - for inches simply divide by 2.54 )
The given space was 14 x 10 x 8 ft = 420 x 300 x 240 cm.
A space for 3x4 bts (broad x height) = 12 bts needs 25 x 33.5 cm + 2.5 to 5 cm wood on each side.
That way 14 x 6 spaces for 12 bts should be possible on the long side of 420 cm = 84 x 12 bts. = 1008 bts.
The same on the other side = 2016 bts.
If you build a peninsula double-sided with 10 x 6 spaces each = 120 x 12 = 1440 bts.
total = 3456 bts.
On the 4th wall with the door there is certainly also space for some additional racks or cases …
The cellar space I showed the photos of in my prior post 3.3m by 3.4m which is approx 10ft by 10ft.
With the peninsulas and mostly single racking I have about 3300 bottle capacity in here. You could do more storage if you went to bulk bins vs individual bottle racks. A combo of the two would get you to higher numbers than I what I acheived. I used up space by having champagne/magnum racking included in the design.
Yes, I guess I was not being very accurate. There are 0.3048 ft in a metre. So 3.3m is closer to 11ft (10.8 ft) and 3.4m is 11.15ft. I was rounding my numbers as when you add framing, insulation and plywood walls it tens to shrink somewhat.
I had a cellar designer do the cellar for me and I had to measure the space about 5 times until he was satisfied that I had gotten it right!