Design My Cellar
What Kind of Flooring Do You Need for a Wine Cellar?
You have many choices when it comes to flooring material for your wine cellar. While the look of the material you choose is important, it is also critical to select materials that will not put your wine at risk. The materials you use for your wine room floor should be practical as well as beautiful.
Qualities of Proper Wine Cellar Flooring
Durable
You want your wine room to be a permanent part of your home, lasting for years and enhancing its value. Installing highly durable flooring will help make this a reality. You wouldn't want to keep replacing the wine cellar flooring, so invest in the most durable types you can find.Strong
Wine cases, wine racks, and wine shelves can be extremely heavy. You may also need other large items like humidifiers and other types of machinery to keep the environment perfect for storing wine. To keep your wine at its highest quality, you need every part of the wine cellar in good condition, and that includes the floor.
In designing your wine cellar, choose the kind of flooring that can adequately hold all of your equipment, your wine storage structures, and the wine itself. If your floor breaks down, you may inadvertently expose your wine collection to excess moisture and fluctuating temperatures.
Weak wine cellar flooring could give in and lead to accidents and damage your wine collection.
Air Tight
Air is the enemy of fine wine. Wine bottles, wine cellars, and other wine storage solutions are designed to keep the wine's environment away from the open air as effectively as possible. You should keep this in mind when choosing the right flooring material.
You want a floor that blocks pockets of air from coming through. Many materials used for floors are dense and do not have cracks or pores where air can be stored. This is the kind of flooring you should get for your wine cellar.
You should seal the flooring for your wine room when necessary to keep your wine cellar airtight.
Proper Wood Types
Cherry
Cherry wood is an excellent choice for wine storage because of its beauty. This wood has light pink to rich dark red-brown hue that can be stunning next to gorgeous wine bottles. It can also stand up to the constant high humidity needed to keep your wine fresh and flavorful.Maple
Maple is a hardwood that will not bend or deteriorate in conditions that are right for wine storage. One of the hardest woods and easiest to clean, maple tree makes high-quality wood furniture and flooring. Choose a tiger maple or a curly maple for a breathtaking appearance.Mahogany
Elegant mahogany wood is warm and pretty. It is also known for being durable and strong, making it an excellent choice for flooring your wine room.
Ash
Ash is an excellent choice because it comes in various colors, from light beige to light brown, so it can match other rooms in your home. Ash is also known to be a strong and durable wood type.Redwood
Redwood has high shock resistance and is good for areas where wine is stored because it will absorb vibrations from electronic equipment or other areas of your home. They are rot-resistant with interesting hues from light pinkish brown to a deep reddish brown.
Improper Wood Types
Pine
Pine is a softwood, so it is not a good choice for your wine room flooring. It will not stand up to the humidity levels required for properly storing wine. They are tender and can easily carve, which is not ideal for carrying heavy wine barrels or cases.Cedar
Cedar is another poor choice for a wine storage environment because of its aromatic scent. You will want to store your wine in an area with as little scent as possible because the wine will absorb smells and alter the wine quality.
Reclaimed Barrel Material
Many wine enthusiasts love building a wine cellar with reclaimed wood originally used in wine barrels. This is a charming and fun idea that you can use to bring personality to your wine collection. You can also use reclaimed barn wood as long as it is originally made from solid wood. Wood from the wine barrel will have a distinct wine stain, giving your wine flooring a unique and appealing appearance.Tile
Ceramic
Ceramics is a simple choice for flooring. It is generally inexpensive and comes in many different designs and colors. It is strong enough to hold heavy items and won't warp in high humidity. Ceramic floors are considered hygienic because they are easy to clean and maintain. They don't stain, which is great for a wine cellar as wine could spill on the floor.Stone
Stone is a beautiful, natural material that brings elegance to a wine storage room. They are long-lasting and generally anti-wear and are also easy to clean.
Stone flooring can withstand heavy foot traffic and heavy wine cases and boxes dragging across the floor.
You can use many types of stone for flooring, each with its own aesthetic. You can find stone flooring that fits a contemporary cellar style or a more traditional design.
Types of stone used as flooring include marble, limestone, and granite. Stone floors are durable and likely to last longer than your home itself.
Porcelain
Porcelain tiles are a pretty choice for a wine room floor. They are perfect in helping control humidity as they are moisture resistant and require minimal upkeeping. You can buy them in different shapes and sizes to create your desired look. Choose a plain porcelain tile for an understated look, an intricate pattern for romance, sophistication, or a modern style.Mosaic
Mosaic tiles are made with a combination of porcelain, stone, and other choices. Mosaic tiles can make your wine room floor a work of art and add a unique element you cannot get using just one standard material. Mosaic is a perfect choice for an Italian or Spanish influence combined with durability and the ability to make it your own unique look.
We have a complete guide on how to build a wine cellar here.
As you design your wine cellar, take advantage of the opportunity to create a space that speaks to your personal style and preferences. Your choice of flooring will make a big difference in the overall look of your room, so be sure to choose a material you love. Contact Wine Cellar HQ for ideas and guidance in designing the perfect room for your wine collection.
Randy is a true wine storage aficionado and expert in wine cellar design. He gained construction experience as a partner in a general contracting business before niching into and passionately focusing on creating wine storage solutions for clients in 2016. He takes great pride in bringing these designs to life, and is dedicated to ensuring that every wine cellar he creates is not only functional but also a beautiful addition to any home or business. The Wine Cellar HQ team also includes refrigeration sizing experts and licensed HVAC technicians to ensure optimal climate control for your wine cellar, so that your wines can age to perfection.
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