Project Portfolio: Custom Electric Hatch for Spiral Wine Cellars

Project Overview

• Client: Peter, Residential DIY/Builder Project

• Location: UK Wide

• System: Custom Electric Hinged Glass Floor Unit (Circular)

• Price Point: Starting from £4,500

• Service: Design, Manufacture, and Nationwide Delivery

The "Build Your Own" Revolution

Peter’s journey from "grabbing a shovel" to filling his cellar with wine demonstrates that a luxury spiral cellar is accessible with the right planning. At Dio-Met, we focus on the most technically demanding part: the automated glass entrance.

• Stage 1 & 2 (Excavation & Forming): Peter utilized a forming tube and re-bar to create a structurally sound concrete well. Our hatches are designed to sit perfectly on top of these standard construction forms.

• Stage 3 (Precision Leveling): To achieve a "flush-fit" finish, our system allows for fine-tuning to match the final kitchen floor height.

• Stage 4 (The Reveal): The motorized hatch provides a seamless, walk-on surface when closed and a stunning "theatre-style" opening when in use.

Technical Expert Insight: The Safety and Legal Reality of Glass Hatches

While other wine cellar doors exist on the market, they often lack the critical safety engineering required for a product that effectively acts as a "moving floor." At Dio-Met, our decades of research have led to a suite of advanced safety features that are, to our knowledge, unique in the industry.

• Dual-Layer Security: Our systems include a key-lockable wall switch that not only secures the door but also disables the remote controls—an essential feature for households with children, pets or guests. 

• Trapment Failsafe: We integrate an auto-reverse system; if the door detects an obstruction while closing, it immediately halts and reverses to prevent significant injury.

• Audible Alerts: For added safety, our units feature a toggleable closing sounder to alert anyone in the vicinity that the floor is in motion.

• UKCA Certification: Critically, many competitors operate without UKCA certification. Under BS EN 1090, any structural steel product—including a walk-on floor hatch—must legally carry this certification. Installing a non-certified unit is not just a safety risk; it can lead to significant legal and insurance complications for the homeowner. When you choose Dio-Met, you are investing in a product that is legally compliant and engineered for absolute peace of mind.

Explore More from Dio-Met

Optimize Your Cellar Project:

• Electric Wine Cellar Doors: Browse our range of automated rectangular and circular hatches.

• Manual Glass Floor Hatches: A cost-effective alternative for tighter budgets.

• See All Projects: Click here to view more customer success stories like Peter's.

Contact the Wine Cellar Specialists

Ready to build your dream underground cellar? Contact our Sheffield office for technical advice or a personalized quote.

• Email: sales@diometonline.co.uk

• Phone: 0114 243 9009

• Worldwide Shipping: We ship our fully assembled units nationwide and globally.