Selecting Wood for a Wine Cellar
The decision to have a wine cellar designed and built is a significant one. There are several important components in the process not the least of which is the selection of wood to be used in this endeavor. Luxury Elements suggests the client give this facet a great deal of thought and consideration.
There are literally hundreds of different wood species available from Abachi to Zigang, however we recommend the following for your project: Cherry, Hickory, Mahogany, Maple, Red Oak, Redwood, Walnut, or White Oak.
Cherry is a dense hardwood with nice graining and is an excellent choice for wine cellars. It is stiff and strong and holds up well in a controlled cellar environment.
Hickory is one of the hardest woods available and is used where strength and shock resistance is required. It comes with various grain patterns and is a furniture and cabinet maker’s favorite.
Mahogany is a very durable, stable wood and comes in a variety of colors. There are several types of mahogany, in various price ranges from the expensive Genuine Mahogany to less expensive Malaysian Mahogany.
Maple comes in a number of varieties each with unique graining. This hardwood, often used in furniture building, is very durable and stable.
Red Oak is a classic choice that is heavy with a course texture and stains beautifully. Red oak is often used for flooring and is extremely durable.
Redwood. Although a soft wood, it is widely considered one of the best for wine cellars. It is durable with natural oils that help repel moisture and will maintain its form unlike other soft woods such as pine and those from other conifers.
Walnut is an extremely hard wood and is highly resistant to shrinkage or warping and a cabinet maker’s favorite. For these reasons, it is an outstanding choice for an environmentally controlled wine cellar.
White Oak is another hardwood that is often used for wine cellars. As with red oak, it is a heavy wood with beautiful graining and stains up nicely.
All woods are not created equal so the client needs to take into consideration but is not limited to durability, affordability, and of course, aesthetic appeal. Whatever wood is selected, take heart knowing that a Luxury Elements’ built wine cellar will look beautiful for generations to come.