skip to main content

Does a wine cellar in the basement need insulation in the floor?

7 years ago

I am building a new house with a wine cellar in the basement. the walls will have above R 25 and the ceiling above R30 insulation with a cooling system. Is insulation the floor a positive to keep a cool constant or will it hinder warm air to find a way to escape the room???

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

lindac92
7 years ago
The ground beneath your floor will insulate that cool space better than anything you could add.
PRO
IWA Wine Accessories
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Since you are installing a cooling system, it suggests that the temperature without the cooling system is warmer than desired. If this is correct, then the best thing you can do is insulate all the surfaces with the highest R-Value insulation that you can afford. The good news is that the floor will have the coolest temperatures of the six surfaces in your cellar, so if you don't insulate the floor, it will have the least thermal impact on your cellar.

By way of example, I used our thermal load worksheet to calculate the thermal load of a 10x10x10 cellar assuming R25 in the walls, R30 in the ceiling. 85F peak temp outside the cellar. and 55F desired temp inside the cellar. If I assume uninsulated concrete in the floor, the thermal load of the cellar is 3005 BTUH. If I assume R25 in the floor, the thermal load declines to 2765 BTUH.

If you'd like me to plug in your actual cellar dimensions and/or want to add additional factors (eg ducting, heat source inside the cellar, altitude), let me know and I'll be glad to redo the calculation.

I hope this helps!
Related Discussions
wine cellar construction check list - pls comment
Q
Comments (1)
Anyone building this type of cellar would be well served by getting Richard Gold's book on the subject. Also cork flooring is a very good option in the cellar. Cheers
...See More
Passive wine cellar
Q
Comments (18)
Springtime homes - I really really appreciate your feedback, however you are not entirely correct. I have been reading up on how to set this up and the upper 1/3 to 1/2 of the foundation needs to be insulated to prevent heat transferring from the upper parts of the soil and the exterior foundation. Unfortunately we are forced to either have this at the west or east side of the foundation (one wall) so that creates additional difficulties. It is the bottom portion of the wall and the floor itself that keeps the room cool. The room itself will be close to air tight due to a vapor barrier and a well insulated exterior door entering the room. The walls shared with the house and the ceiling will be VERY will insulated, to the highest R value that we can fit into the space! :) I'm really curious if there is anyone on GardenWeb who has built a passive wine cellar themselves and if they have any specific tips beyond what is standard. There are 3 main questions I have as well. 1. For instance. I wonder if there is a way to separate the concrete floor from the rest of the basement while the foundation is being laid so that there is not any heat transfer through the concrete in the rest of the basement? 2. If one (or two) of the exterior walls are completely under the house and not shared the the rest of the homes foundation, then would their be any difference in how you insulate the concrete from the exterior? 3. And, should I plan for two or three exterior walls? The problem with planning three is that it would make it very difficult to then add a cooling system if this didn't end up working.
...See More
partial basement floor needs to be insulated?
Q
Comments (2)
Ok. I thought since the two spaces are connected anyway and the only difference is that I have to crawl underneath 2 rooms that it should be the same. I am not sure why the previous owners insulated it though then.
...See More
Need some basic help with wine cellar build
Q
Comments (2)
We have a 500-bottle "wine cellar" in our garage. I put quotation marks around the words "wine cellar" because it is a unit within the garage that has a heavy-duty WhisperKOOL cooler. It is not a separate, walk-in room. It was built by Vinothéque, a company in Stockton, California, that no longer makes wine cellars. But, you can learn all about How To Build A Wine Cellar by watching a video on the WhisperKOOL site.
...See More

Related Stories

INSIDE HOUZZ How Much Does a Remodel Cost, and How Long Does It Take?

By Erin Carlyle

The 2016 Houzz & Home survey asked 120,000 Houzzers about their renovation projects. Here’s what they said

GREEN BUILDING Ecofriendly Cool: Insulate With Wool, Cork, Old Denim and More

By Julia Pockett

Learn about the pros and cons of healthier alternatives to fiberglass and foam, and when to consider an insulation switch

WINE CELLARS 8 Tips to Transform Your Basement Into a Wine Cellar

By Shawn Gauthier

Enjoy a "very good year" as often as you like when you curate favorite vintages in your own basement wine cellar

WINE CELLARS Key Measurements for a Wine Cellar, Part 2

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Wine connoisseurs: A wine cellar can add a spectacular feature to your home

WINE CELLARS From Run-down Basement to Bottoms-Up Wine Cellar

By Jessica Dupuy

See how a dreary storage room and mechanical space became a sophisticated wine cellar and tasting room

FUN HOUZZ Does Your Home Have a Hidden Message?

By Mitchell Parker

If you have ever left or found a message during a construction project, we want to see it!

WINE CELLARS 7 Steps to Create a Connoisseur's Wine Cellar

Showcase your wine to its best advantage while ensuring proper storage conditions. Snooty attitude optional

GREEN BUILDING Insulation Basics: Heat, R-Value and the Building Envelope

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Learn how heat moves through a home and the materials that can stop it, to make sure your insulation is as effective as you think

REMODELING GUIDES Cool Your House (and Costs) With the Right Insulation

By Buckminster Green LLC

Insulation offers one of the best paybacks on your investment in your house. Here are some types to discuss with your contractor

MATERIALS Insulation Basics: What to Know About Spray Foam

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Learn what exactly spray foam is, the pros and cons of using it and why you shouldn’t mess around with installation

Sponsored

KR Estates General Contractor Inc

6 Reviews

Top-Rated Home Improvement & Exteriors Contractor in Northern Virginia