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Wine Cellar Construction & Planning Charts
This handy construction guide includes charts and tips for planning your wine cellar. Not ready to do a deep dive on your own? Check out our expert resources to get the ball rolling or contact us for more information via the form below:
Determining Wine Cellar Size
Common questions when building a wine cellar are: How big do I need to make my wine cellar? How many wine bottles can I fit into space? Determine usable wall space and average wine bottle capacity by entering your wine room dimensions in the table below.
| Room Length (ft) | Room Width (ft) | Room Area (SF) | Usable Wall Space (ft) | Avg. Bottle Capacity* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5' | 5' | 25 sq ft. | 9' | 495 |
| 5' | 10' | 50 sq ft. | 19' | 1,045 |
| 10' | 10' | 100 sq ft. | 29' | 1,595 |
| 10' | 15' | 150 sq ft. | 39' | 2,145 |
| 15' | 15' | 225 sq ft. | 49' | 2,695 |
*Assumes an 8′ ceiling height and a 3′ door.
Average Wine Cellar Construction Costs
This chart provides key project element cost estimates for sample room sizes based on our historical data. These estimates are an average and can vary greatly based on the nature of your wine storage project.
| Room Area | Capacity | Build Out | Racks | Install | Cooling | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 495 | $6,000-$9,200 | $6,000-$7,500 | $1,725 | $2,950 | $16,675-$21,375 |
| 50 | 1045 | $9,500-$13,200 | $11,000-$14,000 | $2,475 | $3,300 | $26,275-$32,975 |
| 100 | 1595 | $14,000-$17,200 | $14,000-$16,000 | $3,225 | $4,500 | $35,725-$40,925 |
| 150 | 2145 | $19,500-$25,200 | $25,000-$28,000 | $4,725 | $5,000 | $54,225-$62,925 |
| 300 | 3245 | $26,000-$30,000 | $28,000-$32,000 | $6,000 | $6,000 | $66,000-$74,000 |
Construction Material Thicknesses and R-Values
This chart shows the relationship of insulation values for sample wall thickness and material types. We recommend a minimum R-value of R-19 in wine cellar walls and R-30 in ceilings.
| Wall Frame Thickness | Insulation Thickness | R-Value Fiberglass Batting | R-Value Rigid Foam |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4" | 3.5" | R-11 | R-25 |
| 6" | 5.5" | R-19 | R-39 |
| 10" | 9" | R-30 | R-65 |
*Rigid foam insulation R-values range from R-4 to R-8 per inch of thickness (2.54 cm), depending on the manufacturer.
Wine Racking Costs
A simple wine cellar design involves features available in our kit line, whereas an advanced design would include elements like true curves, arch tops, and cabinetry. To estimate your wine cellar rack costs, simply enter your estimated bottle capacity to see a range of pricing.
| Bottles | Simple Racking | Multiple Design Elements | Advanced Design Elements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | $2,000 | $4,000 | $6,000 |
| 1000 | $4,000 | $8,000 | $12,000 |
| 1500 | $6,000 | $12,000 | $18,000 |
| 2000 | $8,000 | $16,000 | $24,000 |
| 2500 | $10,000 | $20,000 | $30,000 |
| 3000 | $12,000 | $24,000 | $36,000 |
| 3500 | $14,000 | $28,000 | $42,000 |
*Max bottle capacity 9999
What is R-Value?
In construction, R-value is the measurement of a material’s capacity to resist heat flow from one side to the other. R-values measure the effectiveness of insulation and a higher number represents more effective insulation.
R-values are additive. For instance, if a material with an R-value of 12 is attached to another material with an R-value of 3, then both materials combined have an R-value of 15.
R-values are additive. For instance, if a material with an R-value of 12 is attached to another material with an R-value of 3, then both materials combined have an R-value of 15.
| Material | R-Value/in | 3.5" | 5.25" | 10" | 12" | 15" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiberglass (batt) | 3.1 - 3.4 | 10.8 - 11.9 | 16.3 - 17.8 | 31.0 - 34.0 | 37.2 - 40.8 | 46.5 - 51.0 |
| Fiberglass blown (attic) | 2.2 - 4.3 | 7.7 - 15.0 | 11.5 - 22.6 | 22.0 - 43.0 | 26.4 - 51.6 | 33.0 - 64.5 |
| Fiberglass blown (wall) | 3.7 - 4.3 | 12.9 - 15.0 | 19.4 - 22.6 | 37.0 - 43.0 | 44.4 - 51.6 | 55.5 - 64.5 |
| Mineral Wool (batt) | 3.1 - 3.4 | 10.8 - 11.9 | 16.3 - 17.8 | 31.0 - 34.0 | 37.2 - 40.8 | 46.5 - 51.0 |
| Mineral Wool blown (attic) | 3.1 - 3.4 | 10.8 - 14.0 | 16.3 - 21.0 | 31.0 - 40.0 | 37.2 - 48.0 | 46.5 - 60.0 |
| Mineral Wool blown (wall) | 3.1 - 3.4 | 10.8 - 14.0 | 16.3 - 21.0 | 31.0 - 40.0 | 37.2 - 48.0 | 46.5 - 60.0 |
| Cellulose blown (attic) | 3.2 - 3.7 | 11.2 - 12.9 | 16.8 - 15.0 | 32.0 - 37.0 | 38.4 - 44.4 | 48.0 - 55.5 |
| Cellulose blown (wall) | 3.8 - 3.9 | 13.3 - 13.6 | 19.9 - 20.8 | 38.0 - 39.0 | 45.6 - 46.8 | 57.0 - 58.5 |
| Polystrene Board | 3.8 - 5.0 | 13.3 - 17.5 | 19.9 - 26.2 | 38.0 - 50.0 | 45.6 - 60.0 | 57.0 - 75.0 |
| Polyurethane Board | 5.5 - 6.5 | 19.2 - 22.7 | 28.9 - 34.1 | 55.0 - 65.0 | 66.0 - 78.0 | 82.5 - 97.5 |
| Open Cell Spray Foam | 5.6 - 8.0 | 18.2 - 28.0 | 29.4 - 42.0 | 56.0 - 80.0 | 67.2 - 96.0 | 84.0 - 120.0 |
| Polyisocyanurate (foil-faced) | 3.5 - 3.6 | 12.2 - 12.6 | 18.4 - 18.9 | 35.0 - 36.0 | 42.0 - 43.2 | 52.5 - 54.0 |
| Closed Cell Spray Foam | 6.0 - 6.5 | 21.0 - 22.7 | 31.5 - 34.1 | 60.0 - 65.0 | 72.0 - 78.0 | 90.0 - 97.5 |
