3. Wrong Type of Wine Cellar Door

Another common mistake is when a conventional interior grade door is used instead of a properly equipped exterior grade door. Sealing off the wine cellar from the surrounding spaces requires a door with adequate insulating properties and a solid core. Interior doors only offer single pane, non-insulated glass, which reduces their insulating properties. Although exterior grade doors are generally more costly, they offer superior insulating and vapor transmission properties.

4. The Use of High VOC Finishes and Plywood Containing Formaldehyde

Stains and finishes that have high Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) should not be used in a wine cellar, because they will give off gas,which will become a room vapor that can easily be absorbed into the wine bottles through the cork, and consequently ruin the wine inside. Oil based stains, lacquer based finishes, and even some brands of water based stains have high levels of VOC. These types of finishes and stains continue to off-gas long after installation because the wine storage room is sealed, and thus, no fresh air is cycled into the room from the refrigeration system. Any chemical gas that exists in the wine storage room or that is off-gassed over time will remain inside the room.

Besides finishes with high levels of VOC, certain types of plywood contain formaldehyde. Formaldehyde can also seep into the wine bottles and ruin the flavor and aroma of your wines. Plywood is commonly used for a shear-wall behind the drywall. It is sometimes also used for cabinetry inside the wine storage room. If you do use plywood, make sure to use formaldehyde-free plywood.

5. Wine Rack Vibration

Wines need a quiet, cool, and dark storage place to rest within in order to properly. The right conditions allow them to tastefully develop their flavor and aroma over time. One of the things that can negatively affect wines are vibrations in the wine racks. Too many vibrations in the wine racks can cause the wine molecules to be in constant motion, and thus prevent the wine from resting and developing. A common causes of vibration inside a wine cellar is a wine cooling unit that is placed too close to, or in contact with, the wine racks.