The idea of building an underground cellar is optimal for those who want to store wines, vegetables and whatever is deemed most appropriate. Here’s how to make one at home.
Build one underground cellar at home means creating a structure that can act as a sort of natural refrigerator. Before refrigerators were invented, underground cellars they were the place privileged to preserve the foods as well as possible.
A kind of food storage, where to store vegetables and fruit, so as to extend natural conservation beyond harvest times. These types of cellars have an advantage over all: inside I can maintain a constant temperature throughout the seasons of the year. It exploits the power of isolation of the soil and, if done correctly, act as a specific preservative.
Inside a house, you need an underground room where you can store the products and then you create a corner where you can dig and build the cellar. There cellar it is therefore a sort of refrigerator where temperatures fluctuate between about 0 and 10 degrees during the summer.
Read also: How to make a wine cellar: the complete guide
Before realizing it, however, it is necessary to understand in detail what is the frost line in the reference area, in such a way that it functions correctly and is not subject to the phenomenon of condensation. In this case, it would not be ideal for storing wines and food.
What is the frost line
The frost line is the depth where the flap aquifer it can be assumed that it can freeze. It depends on the climatic conditions of the area and also on the presence of heat sources. Before building therefore, one must rely on a excavator expert which will help you at this stage. It is therefore important to choose the ideal area to prevent aquifers in the ground from creating water infiltrations and saturating the soil of the cellar around you.
Furthermore, it is advisable to build a larger space than that occupied by the cellar, so as not to have to build walls that can be in direct contact with the earth. It is better, rather, that there is space so as to insert the stone to guarantee one function draining.
The characteristics of an underground cellar
To make a cellar underground it is important that there are physical requirements and minimum surface characteristics. Soil that is subject to flooding or that is too wet is not ideal for this type of construction. Rather, one must choose to act in anticipation isolation ed impermeability, but it is evident that there may also be exceptions. The characteristics are:
- Choosing a soil with humidity between 60 and 80%
- Depth starting from 4 meters
- Maintain a temperature between 10 and 18 degrees.
- Ensure ventilation
You may be interested in: How to organize the cellar
The materials to make a cellar
To build an underground cellar, the i factors of ventilation, temperatures ed humidity. You have to choose gods materials specific so that these criteria can be met. Among the materials used there are bricks of concrete, Stone local, trunks of wood or tires. In addition they also need some materials construction for the realization. Between the earth and the wall to be built, a small space must be left to be filled with stones to ensure the phase draining.
Do you want design advice on how to furnish? Join the group
Ensure ventilation in the underground cellar
It is also necessary to ensure the ventilation of the underground cabin with piping in PVC. The tube enters the lower part and lets in fresh air. While, the outlet one must be placed close to the ceiling so that the hot air can escape. The tubes are closed with a net.
It is important because in this way vegetables and wine will be protected from excessive heat or excessive coolness. In addition, the entrance to parasites will be closed. Thanks to this system Yes will eliminate also the presence of gas ethylene which often emerges from ripe vegetables that can be stored in the structure.
Create the entrance to the underground cellar
Once the structure has been created, a entrance for the underground cellar. A door serves both to keep the fresh air inside and also to protect against any parasites by guaranteeing access. Access to the surface must however guarantee isolation creating a gap with respect to the cold outside air.
To ensure that the values are always kept under control, it is good to prefer insulating elements such as, for example, the wood that helps to maintain the temperature constant. With the help of a thermometer and a hygrometer the values will always be monitored.
The style of the cellar
An underground cellar can be built in the most disparate styles. It is generally done in wood or exposed stone.
The important thing is that there is a small pantry inside. You can focus on elements of reuse and recycling, but without giving up taste and atelegance. However, it is always advisable to choose insulating materials such as wood or stone.
Permits and authorizations to build a cellar
Before building an underground cellar it is necessary to follow the regulations and the regulations of the Municipality where the building is located so that it is a completely legal structure. First of all, it will be necessary to go to the municipality to check if there are any incompatibilities to be considered in the underground area. With the help of an expert, the necessary documentation will be presented to the Technical Office of the Municipality to obtain the permission of build.
How much does it cost to build an underground cellar
As mentioned, building permission is needed to build an underground cellar. In general, you have to anticipate a bit because it takes another 60 days to get it. The cost varies from region to region but in general we are talking about about 800 euros for each square meter.
For the other costs it is necessary to evaluate those of the professional, or architect, engineer, surveyor or expert excavator to be paid. In general, the cost is around 15% of the total cost of the work. For the realization, depending on the size of the rule, an expense of approx 150 euros per square meter and then evaluate the cost of the furniture. It is also important to foresee an expense of extraordinary and ordinary maintenance, so that the underground cellar can work at its best.
Underground cellar ideas: image gallery
Here are some ideas for creating an underground cellar that is functional but also stylish and trendy.
