Directions to Build a Wine Cellar

Locate the coolest and most humid place in your home, such as your cellar. Find a location that is approximately 55 to 58 degrees Fahrenheit and 55- to 75-percent humidity. The lower the temperature, the smaller the cooling unit you will require.

Contact your local building regulators to obtain the correct permit to build a wine cellar in your home.

Remove the existing drywall from your room, along with the old insulation. Cut through the wall with a knife or saw so that you can get a handhold and pull the drywall out. Remove the insulation.

Expand the room depth by adding 2-inch by 4-inch boards to the existing 2-inch by 4-inch boards on the wall. Nail them in using 8d galvanized nails.

Place black polyvinyl on the wall facing toward the wine cellar before installing new insulation. This is the warm side of the wine room, where vapor will collect when hot air meets cold air. Measure the wall area, cut the film and staple it into place using a staple gun.

Fill in the empty space between the 2-inch by 4-inch boards with new R21 insulation. Unroll the insulation into the cavity.

Remove your old door from its frame and install a new metal door according to the instructions included with the door. A metal door will seal the room properly.

Frame a space for the cooling unit by measuring your cooling unit twice and cutting an open space into a wall. Try to hide the cooler from plain view as much as possible. Place a 2-inch by 4-inch board on the top and bottom of the frame for support and nail it in.

Install the new drywall and flooring for the room. Set your wine racks in place. Seal all the walls and flooring with caulk to prevent leaks.