Build a Wine Cellar You Can Be Proud Of

Do you keep a wine chilling in the fridge or leave bottles stacked on the counter? If not, then you are a true wine enthusiast. You know that everything about wine is an art - from making it to packaging, and storing it. Whether you are a wine newbie or a seasoned connoisseur, these tips and design ideas will help you showcase your growing wine collection.

Make use of the space you have. No matter how big or small, a carefully selected location can unleash the connoisseur inside you. This is the most important aspect to consider when building a wine cellar. Basements or a corner space that has no direct sunlight are recommended. When selecting a location, you should understand the basics. A properly built wine cellar will make the space functional and appealing.

Control the climate. Install a wine cooling unit that also controls humidity and removes excess moisture. There are many products available in the market today from the simple through-wall unit to a wine-room specific HVAC system.

Ensure proper insulation. Interior designer Mark Cravotta of Cravotta Studios recommends treating the shell by creating a moisture barrier on the outside of every wall plus the floor and the ceiling, as well as adding closed-cell foam insulation to prevent condensation buildup and mold.

Choose proper lighting. You can make storing wine truly an art with the lights on. The type of light you choose will not only protect your wines from exposure to excessive heat but also create a stunning effect. LED lighting is a great choice over the normal incadescents and halogen bulbs. LEDs can give emphasis on arches and add a comforting glow to the display racking and are widely-used because of its energy efficiency, low-heat emissions and versatility. Having LED based wine room lights can be pretty expensive but because of the amazing life span, you will save money in the long run.

Don’t forget the doorway seal. Consider the need to create a seal in the doorway. Glass doors allow the best viewing into your wine cellar. To ensure optimal wine cellar sealing, an insulated door equipped with weather-stripping is recommended, such as an exterior-grade, insulated door or a dual paned glass.

Consider a tracking system. For those who have larger collections, a tracking system will assist you with your wine inventory. There are easy-to-use wine management software programs available today and they make wine cellar management a lot more fun.

Create an artful storage. The secret to a classy wine cellar is how you store and display your wine. Before storing your bottles, decide how you want to admire your collection. Do you prefer a custom racking system or a bulk storage and display? Or maybe you want something that fits your budget like ready-made metal or pine racks? Keep in mind that the best cellar showcases the finest wines while allowing you to enjoy the pleasant aura.

If you are interested in building a wine cellar that meets your standards, we are happy to help. Contact Milan Stoneworks today!

4 Easy Household Fixes Anyone Can Do

There’s nothing worse than waking up to a room with ceiling leaks or some other home catastrophe. You end up thinking that it could have been prevented. If your next step is calling a handyman, think again. Taking a few tweaks all by yourself can save you from unnecessary expenses on minor home repairs.

Little fixes can keep things in best condition. Thomas Mollidor, owner and president of UpKeepers, tackles the most common household problems and how to address them before they become more of a hassle.

Clogged garbage disposal. While there are many reasons for a garbage disposal breaking, a simple reset can fix it. The reset button is located underneath the disposal. If the blades of your garbage disposer won’t turn, you can manually turn the blades with the tool supplied by the manufacturer. If you look closely, it resembles a hex wrench.

HVAC, air conditioner, and furnace malfunction. When a heating or cooling system malfunctions, the heat/cold source, distribution system, or thermostat may be causing the problem. The easiest thing you can do is to flip back the breaker if you noticed that it has thrown on your electrical panel.

You can also turn off your thermostat and HVAC unit. Wait for three minutes and then switch your thermostat back to heat or cool and also flip the switch on your HVAC unit to “on.” This resets the system.

Broken electrical outlet. First, see if other outlets are dead. Check the circuit breakers, GFCIs, and loose outlets. The fix for a dead outlet is usually simpler than you think. Just hit the reset button located on the outlet. This can save the cost of a service call.

Ceiling leak. Small roof leaks can be tough to locate. You can track down and fix the common types of leaks with a tissue paper. Tape two to three sections of tissue paper lightly to the ceiling then observe when the tissue gets wet and when it happened. Most of the time water runs to openings in the vapor barrier, such as at ceiling light fixtures. You may have to stop using one of these fixtures temporarily and see which one is causing the leak.

Remember to follow safety precautions when performing any repairs. Do you have a story of do-it-yourself success? Share it with us!