Wine Cellar Flooring Options

Generally, flooring for wine cellars can come from many sources and complements the overall décor and ambiance of the space. What is hardly ever used is carpet because of the cool, humid environment needed for aging and storing wines. These conditions could contribute to mold or mustiness in the fibers of the carpet.

Most wine cellars are built in a lower level of a home, usually a basement, which may have a concrete slab floor. Concrete will need to be sealed and a vapor barrier should be applied. This is especially important if the wine cellar will have refrigeration installed to maintain a constant temperature and humidity level. The vapor barrier is usually applied to the warmer side of the space, but in dry climates like Arizona, the vapor barrier is placed closer to what you want to retain moisture. Floor should be applied to a level surface, and base trim or moldings should be eliminated behind your wine racks.

Your flooring choice should also be able to retain the weight of the contents of your cellar (racking, cabinetry, furniture, and wine). A typical rule is 500 bottles weighs approximately a ton (2,000 pounds). This is particularly important if your wine cellar is above another living space.

Concrete slab floors can limit flooring choices. You can't put wood planking or floor stripping over concrete easily. Manufactured wood or laminate flooring can be placed over a moisture barrier because they can “float” over the concrete without fastening to it. However, the humidity in the cellar might cause the floor to buckle. Ceramic tile or stone is a better choice, but you will need to create a raised threshold at the door to create a tight seal on the room. Vinyl sheet flooring is a good option because it is durable and will not buckle. You can also paint or texturize the concrete slab itself.

Wood

You can use wood flooring for your wine cellar if you are not installing directly onto concrete. Sealed hardwood is an industry mainstay in wine cellar construction. Wood boarders are another good choice because you can add an artistic element to your cellar that reflects your personality. Many of these borders have grapes or floral motifs with wood border squares to mark when the design changes direction or to break up a scrolling design. Some cellar owners choose an 8 1 /2 inch border featuring six different woods (bubinga, purple-heart, walnut, poplar and Brazilian cherry) inlaid into a red oak or maple background. These are placed into a hardwood floor pattern. Most borders are 3 /4 inch thick with a solid hardwood wear layer. They are usually grooved on both sides for ease in installation and can come unfinished or pre-finished.