The first thing people usually notice when stepping into a room is the flooring. It is considered the foundation of any interior design and can leave a significant impact on a person’s visual impression.
For custom wine rooms, there are a vast variety of wine cellar flooring options in Washington DC. If you are looking for a unique and exciting design, you might want to consider wine barrel flooring.
At Custom Wine Cellars Washington DC, we recommend wine barrel flooring because of its distinctive appearance which can make any wine cellar stand out. We also emphasize the use of reclaimed barrel flooring because of its environmental sustainability.
Here, we will discuss the three different wine barrel options and their characteristics to help you choose which type fits your wine cellar design. But first, let us talk about oak wine barrels.
What you Need to Know about Oak Wine Barrels
It has been a tradition for wineries to store wine in barrels for long periods of time. Wine barrels are made from various types of wood such as walnut, chestnut, oak, and other hardwoods. Among these wood types, oak has been a favorite of many winemakers.
What is so special about oak? Oak naturally contains phenols, a substance that produces a sweet, vanilla flavor in wines. Aside from its effect on taste, oak can also vary the color and texture of the wine.
Oak is known to be porous, which allows oxygenation and evaporation of wine at a level that is favorable for optimum wine aging. These chemical processes concentrate and enhance the flavor and aroma of the wine. Oak’s hardness and density also help preserve the wine’s freshness.
Stave Wine Cellar Flooring
The Stave Wine Cellar Flooring is made from the outer parts of wine barrels, particularly the narrow, vertical strips of wood that form the body of a barrel. Wine barrels have metal hoops that hold the staves together. Once removed, they leave characteristic markings on the staves. These markings, plus the natural golden-brown color, make staves look very attractive when used as a wine cellar flooring material.
Cooperage Wine Cellar Flooring
Wineries put stamps and markings on the bottom and top portions of wine barrels to indicate the contents. These are called cooperage. When these portions are used in building wine cellar floorings, the result is stunning! The beautiful patterns of Cooperage Wine Cellar Flooring add richness to the overall look of a wine room.
Wine Infusion Wine Cellar Flooring
Wine Infusion Wine Cellar Flooring is made from the inner parts of the wine barrel. Since the inside part of the barrel comes in contact with the wine, expect this type of wine barrel flooring to have a natural burgundy stain. This vibrant color complements the wooden wine racks (stained or unstained), making your wine cellar look genuinely appealing.
We Help You Find the Best Wine Cellar Flooring Options in Washington DC
Custom Wine Cellars Washington DC designs and builds custom wine cellars for residential and commercial settings. We highly recommend the use of reclaimed oak wine barrel flooring in your design to make it unique. We make sure that we use only high-quality materials, so it is always customary for us to inspect the flooring materials we use. We can also create countertops and tabletops using the same flooring material you choose for your wine room.
Click here to contact us and get started with your wine cellar plans!