Fully functional and completely custom, our iron wine cellar doors are sure to be a conversation starter. From our wine connoisseur friends, we’ve learned that iron wine cellar doors are more than decorative — they require a precise seal to maintain the ideal temperature and keep your wine collection perfectly chilled and secure.
Learn more about the many different types and styles of custom doors, how to design them using your own design and preferences, and how they can elevate and enhance your space from the first day they’re installed.
Wine Cellar Door Types
Whether you want a traditional, single-panel wine cellar door for your foyer or a large, contemporary double-door cellar in the basement or along the entryway, we will partner with you from start to finish. Check out a few examples of wine cellar door ideas to kickstart your next project.
1. A Simple Single Panel
Equipped with custom hardware and large insulated-glass panels, this slim wine room door offers a beautiful view of your wine collection. Unassuming but still classic, a single-panel wine cellar door can be subtle enough to make your collection seem like a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.
2. A Contemporary Glass Cellar
These modern double front doors are complemented by two full-length sidelights and custom windows that encase the entire cellar, giving guests a peek at the curated wine collection.
3. Intricate Scrollwork Design
Featuring detailed wrought-iron linework, this single-panel ornate door accentuates the cellar’s rustic tone and European flair. This wine cellar door idea is a popular choice for fans of maximalism or for those who wish for their wine cellar door to be the main feature of a space.
Designing Your Wine Cellar Door
Consider Your Space and Your Surroundings
Wine cellars reflect taste and sophistication. Choosing the right location for your wine cellar is incredibly important, for both aesthetic and functional reasons.
According to Wine Enthusiast, the most popular spots for wine cellars are the kitchen and the dining room. Other possible locations include the basement, pantry, and under the stairs. Previous clients have often situated their wine cellars in places where they can serve as the focal point. And the interior design style of your home—be it modern or traditional—will determine which wine cellar door style is best for you.
Wherever you decide to place your iron wine cellar doors, we want to help make your wine cellar glass door stand out. For more inspiration, check out some more wine cellar door ideas in our project gallery.
Sketch Your Style
There are numerous ways to customize your wine cellar door, whether it’s made of iron, stainless steel, wood, or glass. Our artisans can customize wine cellar doors to match the style of your wine cellar, or any other design preferences you want to capture in the end product—whether the details included are modern and sleek or detailed and intricate.
While most wine cellars are designed with clear glass so people can see their wine collection inside, many might also appreciate wine doors that offer the appearance of a solid hardwood door (depending on their decor scheme). Steel might be superior to other options, especially if you’re looking for additional temperature control. It’s also important to consider the space’s acoustics when choosing materials.
Additionally, some homeowners might choose other, more unique features and design options—such as those you’d find in modern architecture. Common alternatives and materials used in this case include laminated veneer lumber, iron, or low-E glass panels. We also have a selection of glass types and decorative grates to choose from.
Some wine cellar glass door styles feature a simple single-panel door with a slim profile. Others allow guests to view the entire collection, like contemporary glass cellars with modern front double doors equipped with sidelights and transoms. (After all, isn’t that the overall design goal of every new wine cellar door installation?)
Additionally, adorning a wine cellar door with ornate scrollwork is a unique option that lends a rustic tone, keeping your guests talking about your custom designs long after the last glass is poured.
Engraving and Etchings
You can take the unique design of a wine cellar door even further by adding custom engravings or etchings. Consider adding some thematic glass etchings to enhance your wine cellar’s aesthetic or engraving your family name on a door hardware piece. The possibilities are almost endless in making the entrance of this space truly as unique as your home.
Handles and Hardware
You’ll also need to determine which hardware style best suits your door type to create the right wine cellar door for your design aesthetic. There are many types of door handles that can be outfitted to your wine cellar glass door, including keyed entry, simple passage, and privacy door handles. Let our artisans create and forge custom pull-handles for your wine cellar door.
We find that modern levers fit very well with wine cellars because of their smooth, simple look that doesn’t distract from the beautiful wine bottles. For example, the Helios or Freestone Passage Door Lever Sets from Emtek are great options for a wine cellar glass door.
Finishes and Color Options
Another way to personalize your wine cellar glass door is to choose a finish that complements your home’s interior. For example, Bronze and Cinnamon are popular options that provide a contrast to homes that feature warm color accents. If you’re looking for something a bit more dramatic and eye-catching, consider pairing colors from both sides of the spectrum, like Charcoal with white walls. Or perhaps an eye-popping color like Cardinal to comment on your preference for red wines.
All six of our exclusive finishes and seven color options are smooth to the touch and hand-perfected by our skilled artisans. Each door also goes through an extensive seven-step automotive-grade finishing process before it’s completed.
Now that you have plenty of ways to add your personal touch, let’s get started on your dream door. We can’t wait to see what ideas you bring to the table when you schedule a consultation.
Lighting and Display Features
Although too much light can be harmful for wine storage, some lighting and display features can frame your collection like a work of art. Often, this means incorporating warm lighting to make the space inviting or using uplighting to showcase the bottles on display. Some modern wine cellar designs even use color-changing LED lights to create a versatile and fun aesthetic.
Safety and Security Considerations
In addition to adding a door lock to your custom wine cellar door, you can also install other security features to safeguard your collection. Consider, for example, implementing the CellarTracker app, which can keep a running inventory of your wines. Or, to ensure your cellar is operating correctly, install The Elertus Wine Protection System, which lets you know if there’s movement or a change in humidity in your wine cellar.
Elevate Your Entertaining Space with Custom Wine Cellar Doors
No matter how you design your cellar door, it is a custom piece that’s just as special as the rare vintages in your collection. From contemporary to traditional designs with custom engravings, colors, and features, these doors are gateways to storied displays and sophisticated tasting rooms.
With Clark Hall’s renowned white-glove process, our experts are there every step of the way to provide their knowledge and design input to give you the cellar entrance you’ve been dreaming of. When you’re ready to embark on your custom door journey, be sure to call Clark Hall for a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials are best for a wine cellar door?
Some wine cellar doors are made from wood, like mahogany, but doors with metal frames are a good choice for wine cellars because they are durable, secure, and create a better airtight seal. They can be made from a variety of materials, such as aluminum, steel, or wrought iron. Each material has its own suite of aesthetic and functional benefits to consider before making your final decision.
Steel wine doors, for example, allow for maximum visibility through minimal sightlines—allowing you to see your entire wine collection without compromise.
Wooden doors offer a solid core and a touch of sophistication you’ll love, especially when paired with glass windows made with special glass that lets visual backlit features shine through.
Do you need insulated glass for a wine room?
For wine cellar rooms made with glass, yes. The glass needs to be double-pane insulated glass and have professional-grade weather stripping to keep heat out and keep moisture levels in the cellar relatively constant.
How thick should wine cellar glass be?
Wine cellar doors with glass walls must be at least half an inch thick, double-paned, tempered, and sealed on all sides.
Is a wine cellar worth it?
Having a cellar with a high-quality sealable door can save you a lot of money in the long run. Purchasing wine by the case rather than by the bottle means you pay less per bottle, as many sellers offer discounts for bulk purchases. And, a wine cellar can also improve your home’s resale value because it’s a rare, highly sought-after feature.
What makes a quality wine cellar door?
Every Clark Hall wine cellar door is custom-made to order by our skilled artisans. Other prefabricated options—built in large quantities and assembled quickly—use cheaper materials and paint and often feature insufficient welds and low-quality putty to mask imperfections. However, our custom wine cellar doors are crafted by experts who carefully finish each piece. Learn more about our team of artisans and craftsmen when you read our conversation with the head of manufacturing.
Which way do I want the door to swing?
While you can technically customize your wine cellar door to swing in or out, we recommend having the door—or doors—swing in because the pressure from the cooling system creates a better seal. Also, remember to consider the depth of the wine racks, as they may interfere with the door swing. Our team is happy to help you account for this during a consultation.
Does the door come with a warranty?
Always make sure that your door comes with a warranty. All of our custom iron doors come with a 10-year protection against manufacturing defects on the iron door structure and mechanics. We also provide a five-year warranty on the finish and glass, and a one-year warranty on the weatherstripping and sweeps—essential for wine cellar clients!
Can you use an interior door for a wine cellar?
Technically, if you don’t plan to cool your wine cellar, you can use an interior door to seal it shut. However, few choose to do this, as the aesthetic and functional benefits of doing so are incomparable to what you’d gain from a specially crafted wine cellar door.
How do I choose a wine cellar door?
The first step to choosing a wine cellar door for your space is to develop your vision—and to do that, you’ll need to sift through wine cellar door ideas. As you search, you’ll want to consider all logistical and aesthetic factors, including the door’s total budget, required functions (i.e., temperature control), and preferred style elements. Once you’ve done that, you can work with an artisan at Clark Hall to bring your visualization to life.
How wide is a wine cellar door?
Typically, a single door should be at least 36” wide to walk through comfortably. If you’re working with double doors (or larger, custom glass wine rooms), the size can match whatever area you’re working with.
How do I measure for a custom wine cellar door?
In most cases, you’ll want to measure in the same way you would for a regular door. You’ll want to measure the width and height, adding two inches to the width and 2.5 inches to the height to allow for space for the door frame. To measure for jamb depth, you’ll need to determine the thickness of the wall you’re adding the door to. Finally, to account for swing clearance, measure the width of the door and check to see if there is sufficient room from the door to swing in either direction without an obstacle.
What lockset options can I choose?
Keeping your wine safe and secure is one of the big reasons to have a cellar in the first place. One way to effectively do this is by installing locking hardware on your cellar door. Often, this means something simple, like a keyed entry that’s unlocked with a corresponding key or a keypad that requires a code to unlock.
How should I care for my door’s finish?
Once you have your custom door, it is imperative to take good care of it. This means cleaning it in a way that will not damage the door’s finish. For iron patina, you can use a soft cloth with mild soap and warm water, wipe it down with clean water, and then dry it. For wood polish, you can do the same, but be sure to wipe the door with the grain.
