So I am done with the framing, electrical, vapor barrier, and insulation. The drywall is half-done, and the racking has been ordered. But what should I do with the concrete slab basement floor? I have painted on a sealer but wouldn’t mind adding something moisture-resistant and not too thick (the ceilings are low enough already). My wife has suggested “FLOR” carpet squares made of nylon (removable in case they rot). The floor isn’t exactly flat, so long runs of flooring might not work. Does anyone have any good ideas?
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I did my own cellar a few years ago and finished the floor with some heavy duty rubber chef mats (?). They came in a nice rust red color and while the decorative aspect my not work for you the occasional fallen bottle that they saved made me realize the true value of this decision!
I put 24"x24" raised rubber Johnsonite commercial tile. I have dropped many bottles and have yet to break one. It’s only 1/8" thick and will conform to floor irregularities.
I stained my concrete slab. Looks great - easy to clean. But you already painted on a sealer…
I used scrap 16"x16" travertine tile. In four years, I’ve broken just one bottle.
I’d go with Josh and Jerry’s suggestions for a forgiving floor covering.
I know how it seems when you say “I have only broken one bottle” that it might not be worth it.
I have only ever broken one bottle at a wine store but it was a 2000 Chateau Margaux, thank goodness it wasn’t really my fault!
Just consider what the ‘one’ bottle in your cellar that might break could be…
I have pirelli rubber “dimpled” floor and it works well.
I know someone who uses this product:
I used vapor barrier plastic with below grade rated Pergo ‘wood’ flooring. I’ve had several bottles accidentally fall and not break. Looks great and functional.
these work extremely well.
If you’re on a tight budget, and if you live in flyover country, then you might look at Tractor Supply’s horse stall mats:
Rubber Horse Stall Mat, 4 ft. x 6 ft.
$38.99
http://www.tractorsupply.com/-221900399
Stall Mat Kit, 12 ft. W x 12 ft. L
$299.99
http://www.tractorsupply.com/stall-mat-kit-12-ft-w-x-12-ft-l-5079135
Out here in flyover country, lots of amateur weightlifters and gymnasts use those as inexpensive substitutes for real gym mats [which can be just staggeringly expensive].
+1 on the travertine tiles. You’ll need to seal them as the drips will soak into the porous stone. We hang out and drink in the cellar so it’s also more about the aesthetic than the safety of a soft floor for us. The stone brings a natural cool temp through the floor as well.
You don’t really mention the function of the room. If it’s a ‘show’, or socializing cellar, sure do some expensive tile.
My cellar is basically a walk-in storage closet with very dense racking, and the floor is just OSB sealed with a fairly neutral lacquer - it has a slightly yellow/gold appearance. So it is moisture resistant, reasonably soft, and works just fine for my purposes.
If I had been building a cellar for entertainment, I would have made completely different choices all around - walls, racking, floors, door.
Black puzzlemats. About $1 per sq ft. Can be cut to fit. Cushions floor for some insulation and in case of dropped bottles.
If you decide to tile with real stone tiles (or ceramic tiles, or any tiles that require mortar), you will have to grind the sealant off your slab (using a hand-held concrete grinder, this is a specific tool you can buy or you can hire somebody with that tool).
I put pea gravel (about 1-2" deep) on the floor of my current wine cellar. Absolutely fabulous: !) adds character and an interesting “feel” to the cellar, 2) you can drop a bottle on the floor and it won’t break, 3) you can spill wine on the floor and it won’t show. I got the idea after visiting several cellars in France (burgundy in particular). I will never use anything other than pea gravel in any future cellar.
Try here for a variety of DIY flooring.
I was also looking for the company that makes or used to make pourable, self leveling flooring materials. Works great on uneven floors and comes in a variety colors. Used to use it for galley flooring on Navy ships and subs when I worked at Mare Island.
I used the cheapest 16x16 ceramic tile that I could find. Basically $1/tile. Probably not great for breaking a bottle, but functional, good looking, and cost effective.
Concrete floor. The cellar is a walk-in. Basement is the same concrete. Kitchen is ceramic tile floor. I haven’t dropped a bottle in 10 years of living in this house and don’t remember dropping one in my prior houses. I’m not saying it can’t happen, but probably a few thousand bottles have gone in and out of the basement and cellar over the years w/out incident.