Wine cellars are becoming more common in Austin homes, and if you’re a wine connoisseur who intends to store wine there are a few things you should know. Most important of all is insulation, as it’s vital to store wine at the proper temperature and humidity level. Climate control is critical when storing wine, but what type of insulation is preferred? Of course any insulation is better than none, but there are several options to consider including fiberglass batt, rigid foam board and closed cell spray foam. Here’s a short tutorial to help you better understand the different types of insulation for your wine cellar.
Fiberglass batts are a good choice and the least expensive of all, however professional installation is an absolute MUST as there’s more to it than simply stuffing insulation in between wall studs. Even the smallest gaps can result in a 25% efficiency reduction, and it’s important to apply a plastic vapor barrier to the warm side of walls. There’s even more to it than that, but you get the gist.
Rigid foam board insulation is another good option and preferred over fiberglass batts, however this type of insulation can be tricky if you have anything that must pass through walls such as pipes, conduit or wiring as all must be either wrapped in rigid foam or any gaps filled with foam spray after cutting board so that it can be placed around any objects that pass through walls.
The best wine cellar insulation and one we highly recommend? Closed cell spray foam insulation is the very best solution as you won’t have to install plastic sheeting to act as a vapor barrier. When closed cell polyurethane spray foam skims over, a vapor barrier forms automatically. Another advantage of this type of insulation for wine cellars is that because it expands, there are no worries about gaps or cracks. Even the smallest crevices are filled so you have the tightest possible seal around any pipes, conduit or other wires/equipment that pass through walls.
The proper storage conditions are critical when it comes to your wine cellar. Many homeowners aren’t aware of the importance of vapor barriers, humidity levels, and just the right temperature when it comes to storing wine. At HabiShield wine cellar insulation in Austin is what we do! Don’t put your wine collection at risk – give us a call today.