A properly insulated wine closet will keep your wine collection stored the right way.
While the number of wine lovers continues to grow, many lack the proper storage space for the expansive variety of wine available on the market today. Good wine cellars are often too expensive for the average collector. But you can cut costs by turning a closet into a wine cellar. With the proper tools, you can insulate a wine closet and give your wine collection the controlled environment it deserves.
Instructions
1. Find a closet in your home that will work well for wine storage. Opt for an interior closet that never comes into contact with direct sunlight, and one where the temperature remains around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. It is best to start with a closet that is unfinished or does not yet have insulation. This will prevent you from having to remove panels and flooring.
2. Remove carpet or wall panels from the closet if you are not starting with an unfinished closet. If you chose a closet that is already finished, you most likely will not be able to insulate the walls. You can, however, insulate the floor by removing any carpeting or flooring that is covering the base floor layer. Clean the area after the carpet or flooring is removed. A light vacuuming should pick up any stray dust or debris. If your floor is made from concrete, you do not need to insulate the floor.
3. Spray a rigid polyurethane foam insulator onto any unfinished walls or ceilings. You can purchase a foam insulator at many home improvement stores. Just make sure that whatever insulation you chose has an R-19 minimum insulation value.
4. Install traditional fiberglass batting insulation in the walls if you don't want to use the polyurethane foam insulator. Remember that the fiberglass insulator's paper or foil side should be turned inward toward the cellar wall. Be sure to take safety precautions, such as wearing protective mask, eyewear and gloves.
5. Finish the closet by installing (or reinstalling) whatever floor or wall features you want to have in the closet. The insulation will regulate the temperature of your new wine closet.
Tags: closet that, foam insulator, wine closet, your wine, your wine collection, insulate floor