How much does it cost to build a humidor?

From the freshly initiated to the practical semi-professional, walk-in humidors are something of a dream among cigar aficionados. It’s a mark of commitment to the hobby when you graduate from a small humidor—whether you’re using a kitchen storage container or a nice, personalized humidor box. Moving to a walk-in version, though, is proof that you’re very serious about the hobby. It’s also proof you have way too many cigars to fit casually in one or two personal humidors. 

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from Candor.

Are you considering a walk-in humidor? They’re not quite the same as more traditional types of humidors. Here, we’re going to look at walk-in humidors to figure out exactly what marks them tick, why they’re so special, and help you determine if a walk-in humidor is right for you.

What is a Humidor?

A humidor is ultimately a storage vessel for your cigars–even walk-in humidors. For relative long-term storage (as in, longer than buy-it-and-smoke-it), cigars need a special type of environment to thrive. Humidity levels are very important to cigars, and humidors provide them with the optimal conditions to maintain excellent smokeability. 

When cigars aren’t stored in a humid environment, they dry out. All of those rich, luxurious oils within the tobacco evaporate away. Instead of a premium, enjoyable smoke full of flavor and aroma, you end up with one that’s acrid and unpleasant. On the opposite end of the spectrum, when cigars are stored in an environment that’s too humid, there’s a big risk that they’ll go moldy. As if the thought of smoking a moldy cigar wasn’t bad enough, they might also become infested with tobacco beetles. 

A humidor is—usually—a box that helps keep cigars at the perfect humidity and temperature. These come in a wide range of sizes, from travel cases that hold two or three, to personal humidors that fit up to 50, to mini-fridge-sized humidors that can hold many more. Some small humidors require seasoning, which is the process of humidifying the interior of the box to help create that perfect storage environment. By introducing liquid inside the humidor, the Spanish cedar lining absorbs part of the humidity. When the box breathes, it creates the ideal place to store stogies. 

But a walk-in humidor is obviously in a different category than a desktop humidor. What makes it different?

How is a Walk-in Humidor Different Than a Traditional Humidor?

There’s one clear distinction marking the difference between a walk-in humidor and a traditional, personal humidor. Just like a walk-in closet or a wine cellar, you can walk into your walk-in humidor and have more space to find exactly which cigar you’re looking for. It’s a perfectly sealed environment—one that has a door that keeps the humidity inside. 

Another big difference is the seasoning process of a walk-in humidor. Likely, the walls will still be lined with Spanish cedar—a particularly absorbent type of mahogany—though it’s not always necessary. It will still take time to get the wood humidified correctly, but instead of re-introducing humidity, your walk-in humidor will likely have a humidification system that keeps the humidity and temperature set perfectly. Simply dial in the number and forget about it. 

Aside from the massive amount of space that a walk-in humidor affords you, the biggest perk is the ability to maintain consistent humidity levels without intervention. (Though humidor seasoning isn’t a difficult process—you can read all about seasoning a personal humidor in our guide to seasoning). 

How Much Does a Walk-In Humidor Cost?

There are clear perks to owning a walk-in humidor, and as long as you have the space to dedicate to it (and the cigars to fill it) it may be perfect for you. But the real question: how much does a walk-in humidor cost? Unfortunately, that’s not an easy question to answer. 

If you’re handy and choose to build your own, you can save a decent amount of money. That said, it’s very important to know what you’re doing when you’re not only investing a good chunk just in the materials but also trusting in your new creation to appropriately store your presumably large stogie collection. Many choose to convert small closets into walk-in humidors. The cost for this to build it yourself, based on a closet that’s about 6 feet wide x 3 feet deep x 9 feet all should be around $2000—if you choose a wood other than Spanish cedar. If it’s Spanish cedar or bust for you, then expect that cost to double and make it around $4000. 

That is, of course, if you’re handy enough to do the build yourself. If you’d like a professional to build and install your new walk-in humidor, you should expect to pay no less than $5000, but realistically, you’ll probably want to double that number as well and assume about $10,000 all told. They’re not cheap, but a well-built walk-in humidor is well worth the effort when you’re serious about your cigar appreciation.

Do I Need a Walk-In Humidor?

Now you know all about walk-in humidors, the question remains: do you need one? That question is ultimately up to you (and any partner who helps you make big financial decisions). If you’re opening a store that specializes in cigars, then absolutely you do. If you’re looking for a home version, there’s more to consider. 

Is showing off your cigar collection inside your home something that you really value? As useful as a walk-in humidor is, another aspect of it is the aesthetic and its museum-quality display of your cigar collection. But could you get the same effect from a glass top humidor? 

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Cigar humidor manufacturers. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

How many cigars do you really own? Are you buying many, many more than you’re removing? Walk-in humidors usually hold upwards of 50 boxes of cigars—and each box usually holds 25-50, depending on their size. 

Do you have space in your home to dedicate to a large humidor? Walk-in humidors can be as small and practical as you need (like a repurposed closet mentioned above) but they do take up real estate that can only be used as a humidor in the future. Also consider that if it’s not your forever home, a walk-in humidor might not add value when it comes time to sell—given that your buyer may not appreciate cigars as much as you do.

If a walk-in humidor isn’t right for you, protecting your cigars should still be a top priority. Instead, check out our

complete guide to humidors

to learn which might be best for your collection.

Jon Aguilar

|

Author

Building a walk-in cigar humidor sounds like a daunting and expensive task at first. It doesn’t have to be. It will cost some money but not as much as you think. If you’ve crossed the threshold where you’ve got more cigars than you know what to do with, here’s a basic rundown on how to build a walk-in humidor in your home in an efficient and affordable way.

Do I Need a Walk-In Humidor?

Most aficionados don’t need a walk-in humidor. If you can fit all your cigars in a coolerdor or larger cabinet like a wine fridge, building a walk-in humidor is overkill. The key to keeping cigars fresh is to store them in ideal and consistent conditions: 70% humidity and 70 degrees. Walk-in humidors are worth considering when you’ve got dozens of boxes to keep fresh on a regular basis, otherwise you’re wasting time, effort, and money humidifying an area that’s larger than it needs to be.

The main advantage a walk-in humidor offers is the volume of cigars you can store and the ability to display and organize them with ease. You can leave your cigars in their boxes and spread them out on rows of tidy shelves. You won’t have to root around through ten layers of loose cigars to find the one you want to smoke now.

Convert a Closet

One of the easiest ways to set up a walk-in humidor is to convert a closet. A room that’s closed off from natural light is best. Installing electrical and ventilation may or may not be necessary depending on the layout. It’s essential to have a room you can seal off – like a refrigerator – so that it will maintain a consistent level of humidity inside. It’s best to choose a closet that does not border an exterior wall, and, if it does, make sure to insulate it well to avoid fluctuations in temperature based on the conditions outside.

Materials for a Walk-In Humidor

There are different approaches to consider when building a DIY walk-in humidor. If you’re not comfortable using basic power tools and measuring and cutting boards, it’s best to hire a contractor to build your walk-in humidor.

Because a humidor is always wet, you can’t rely on traditional drywall or flooring materials (like carpeting) to create a walk-in humidor. The type of humidor wood is important. You need materials that react with moisture without encouraging mold. Think of it like you’re building or remodeling a bathroom. Special water-resistant flooring and tiles are necessary. Below is an overview of the main materials you will need. The cost of your walk-in humidor depends on the size of the space you’re humidifying and the materials you choose. Here are the essentials:

• Vapor barrier
• Greenboard drywall
• Spanish cedar (or alternative wood) for walls
• Shelving (vented Spanish cedar shelves are best)
• Flooring (if hardwood, it should be sealed)
• Trim
• Shelf brackets (metal or wood)
• Door
• Screws
• Humidification system (for a room)
• LED lighting

Steps for Building a Walk-In Humidor

Assuming you’re starting with a space that has been stripped down to its framing, here are the basic steps for building out a walk-in humidor.

1. Install a vapor barrier over the framing and installation. Cover the walls and ceiling. The vapor barrier prevents moisture from seeping into the structural materials of your home.
2. Choose appropriate flooring. If your humidor is in the basement, you can epoxy over a cement floor to seal it. Ceramic tiles are a great option too. You can also go with hardwood flooring, but it must be sealed. Avoid carpeting.   
3. Install greenboard drywall over the vapor barrier. Because greenboard is mold resistant, it’s an ideal material for a humidified space, in lieu of standard drywall or sheet rock walls.
4. Finish walls in Spanish cedar (or alternative wood) over the green board. Spanish cedar is the best material for finishing the interior walls of a humidor. It’s naturally fragrant, reacts positively with moisture, and cigars age well as a result. The decision to use Spanish cedar largely depends on your budget. Spanish cedar is expensive and can easily double the cost of your walk-in humidor, but many cigar lovers prefer cedar and will spend extra for it. If you decide to use an alternative wood for the walls, like pine, it must be coated with a water-resistant sealant.
5. Measure and install shelf brackets and shelving. Aficionados who decide on a less expensive alternative to Spanish cedar for their walls will still spend a little more for Spanish cedar shelving. It brings a humidor to life. Vented shelves are best because the humidity can circulate more effectively. Leave room between the shelves to store full boxes of cigars with their lids open.
6. Install a door. If you already have a door to the room for your walk-in humidor, consider lining it with a weather strip to close unwanted gaps and keep the humidity in.
7. Choose a humidification system based on the cubic feet of your walk-in humidor. The expense will vary depending on your choice. Advanced commercial units with reverse osmosis capability can be tied directly into your plumbing but can cost over $1,000. An adequate humidifier that you set on the floor will run between $300 and $500. Place it in an area where the humidity will be dispersed evenly. Most models include a wall-mounted digital hygrometer for monitoring humidity and temperature.  
8. Light up with LEDs. Cigars are sensitive to light. If you’ve already got a light fixture in the room, screw in some LED bulbs. They’re energy efficient and won’t fade or dry out your cigars.

How Much Does a Walk-In Humidor Cost?

DIY Cost vs. Hiring a Contractor

A good general estimate for a space that is 6ft wide by 3ft deep by 9ft high is $2,000 if you build it yourself and use an alternative to Spanish cedar, like pine, to finish the walls. If you elect to use Spanish cedar walls, the cost can be double ($4000) or more. This estimate is also based on a commercial humidification unit which can handle up to 1000 cubic feet of space and costs around $450. Although humidification systems with reverse osmosis filters cost more, you can use standard tap water as opposed to buying distilled water to refill the reservoir.

If you hire a professional contractor to do the work, prepare to spend at least $5,000. It’s not uncommon for cigar lovers to spend $10,000 or more on a humidor with high-end materials and any necessary electrical, plumbing, and HVAC upgrades. For the sake of comparison, a top-of-the-line humidor handmade in Paris from the Elie Bleu brand starts around $2,000. They’re stunning in every way but can only hold about 75 cigars.

Are you interested in learning more about best wine coolers and cigar humidors supplier? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!