Glass wine displays lend an air of elegance and sophistication to any commercial or residential space. They can age and store a modest collection or display hundreds of vintages, while maintaining separate serving and storing temperatures! They are a bold statement, especially in homes.
However, as exciting as glass wine closets are, they must have the capacity to maintain the perfect climate conditions. If you’re aware of the technical requirements, you are going to get the best outcomes. Let’s take a closer look!
The Importance of Climate Control in Glass Wine Cellars
Temperature fluctuations compromise the quality of wine, prematurely ageing your collection. The wine expands when the bottle temperature rises, which causes pressure accumulation inside the bottle. The aroma of the wine begins to slowly leak out through the cork, harming its quality. And if the opposite happens, the air rushes inside the bottle and comprises the aroma and flavor.
The other critical component in preserving wine is humidity. If the levels of humidity rise above 70%, it can cause mold and damage the glue and labels. The corks can dry up if the humidity levels drop below 50%, causing the liquid to evaporate.
Pristine climate control is difficult to ensure, and it relies on two factors: a robust cooling unit and proper construction. Both factors are complicated for custom glass wine cellars in Houston, but not impossible.
Things to Consider During the Construction
Any conventional home or commercial wine cellar begins with insulation and a vapor barrier to keep out moisture and maintain ambient temperatures. These aren’t options when working with glass. However, the solution here is to construct the cellar or closet with double-paned, insulated glass and exterior-grade thresholds and doors. These components are an excellent way to create an air-tight space. Insulating the ceiling and floor also adds to the integrity of the glass wine closet.
Choose a Robust Cooling System
Calculating the heat load is the first step in determining which cooling system will be appropriate.
The heat load calculation depends on many factors, such as the sunlight exposure, the space’s cubic footage, exterior ambient temperatures, and artificial light exposure. These elements have higher chances of disrupting an enclosed system composed of glass walls. For example, a space that gets a lot of sunlight will need a solution with higher capacities than another space of the same size that doesn’t receive a lot of light.
Another factor to consider is how often the display is accessed. Wine cellar doors in restaurants will be opened more than the ones at home. That’s why a robust cooling unit is important to quickly restore balance.
The Climate Control Solution
The four glass walls of a wine closet limit the kind of cooling unit you can choose. It also requires additional ingenuity to hide the components.
It is difficult to exhaust air in the rooms and walls of glass wine closets. HVAC professionals and contractors need to attach resilient ductwork in configurations that are suitable for the space. Another option is to connect a system that doesn’t need ductwork. Whichever solution is chosen, the objective is to manipulate air in and out of the glass wine cellar or closet through the ceiling. This doesn’t disrupt the space’s aesthetic.
Ductwork: Cooling Systems that are Perfect for Glass Wine Displays
Firstly, you need to find a company that’s willing to go the extra mile for you. Wine Cellars of Houston is one such wine storage company that comes to mind. So, what kind of cooling system is best for modern glass wine cellars?
For maximum flexibility during installation, ducted systems are great as they are a self-contained cooling unit. They have the most powerful cooling capacity. The condenser and evaporator are located outside the wine display, either close by or remotely. A grille in the ceiling of the wine room is attached to the components of the cooling unit through flexible and insulated ductwork.
Ducted split systems are also ideal for glass wine closets where it’s difficult to exhaust the condenser air. Make sure to hire the right HVAC expert to install the ducted split systems.
Glass wine closets or cellars add an unparalleled aesthetic appeal, providing a contemporary solution to storing and ageing wine. However, the design needs to function first due to the many ways glass can affect wine quality. With the right cooling units and proper construction, you need not worry. Experts in this field will make sure your beautiful glass wine closet protects your precious collection for decades to come!
