What is the best kind of flooring and ventilation for my cellar?
My cellar is currently at 92% humidity and 8.9°C since I closed and blocked the windows with fibreglass insulation due to the temp dropping too much. (Without the blocked windows it sits at 87%).
The cellar sits 4/5th underground and has an earth floor. The walls and ceiling are made of what seems to be a type of concrete covered rubble stone with two windows opposite each-other. The house is thought to be about 400 years old so I’m a bit worried about the foundations with the high humidity.
I also want to keep the cellar natural (no electricity) since there is currently just a light bulb in there. Ideally don’t want to have to do big works for it to become a good stable cellar for long term ageing. (Cellar sits between 7°C and 19°C throughout the year with open windows).
Let me know if you have any experience with this kind of situation or if you know what I could do to stabilise the conditions.
Thanks in advance!
by Reasonable_Baby_6550
9 Comments
Fuck me, I usually roll my eyes at all the tacky cellars that get posted, but this? This I’m jealous of.
On a more serious note, I just did an expansion on a cellar for a client I consult for, similar vibe in a fairly humid region. The reality is that you’re probably better off sealing any escapes and getting a small humidity control unit, talk to a professional but I think considering how consistent cellars tend to be you won’t need a big unit, sounds like temperature is not an issue but it will change a bit if you reduce humidity. Otherwise you could do a basic insulating foam base and a tile or stone flooring if you want to keep the vibe.
I kind of like the idea of dirt … or at least a drain. It feels romantic to sip some wine and then spit it on the floor 😂
I think it’s fine and you should do nothing
That’s a real cellar
Wow
I would say part of any cellar is its biome and leaving that alone preserves it.
Nothing like a nice, dank European cellar
Small stones
I see 3 floors I’d consider. 1) a pattern cut flagstone floor. Random square cut sizes laid out. 2) an irregular flagstone floor. Just big slabs of broken up stone flats. 3) just a river pebble floor with maybe a few step stones placed around. Beautiful cellar!!!
Oh my god, can I come be your cellar master?!