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Design with thought to maintain your home or cabin through the winter climate

It is most likely that you have already started or completed your checklists for winterizing your home or cabin for the long and cold months ahead. With that said, this month, I wanted to focus more on the design for building a home or cabin to withstand the harsher winter climate that we face in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Based on some research I have found there are some key items to focus on during the design process that would make maintaining your home or cabin easier and to make it more durable and efficient long term.

A SYSTEMS APPROACH
The Cold Climate Housing Program (CCHP) at the University of Minnesota
Pat Huelman, associate professor and CCHP coordinator

What is “A Systems Approach”

A number of key components, including: thermal insulation over the entire building and foundation; basement or slab waterproofing and drainage; a continuous air barrier/vapor retarder inside and continuous weather barrier outside; energy-efficient, condensation resistant windows, appliances, lighting, and HVAC system with mechanical ventilation; use of low-toxicity materials; user friendly controls; and proper homeowner operation and maintenance.

“The systems approach,” says Huelman, “is the idea that you have to include and look to optimize the performance parameters of not only the building envelope and the mechanical systems, but also the home’s occupants. The people,” he adds, “are really important. How they operate, control and maintain the home is vital.”

How to Design a Home for a Cold Climate
By Roy Diez

Here are some more items to consider when designing your new home or cabin to face the harsh winter months:

ROOFING

• Simple gable style roof is best
• Avoid openings in the roofing
• Place chimney(s) on or nearest to the roof ridge
• Go with metal roofing if possible

HEATING

• Active solar
• Efficient woodstove
• Radiant heating in the flooring

WINDOWS

• South facing windows
• Consider double paned windows or review the energy performance ratings
• Consider smaller rather than larger window sizes

PLUMBING

• Well insulated piping

MOISTURE

• Exterior wall system with high insulation values, prevents mold-causing condensation, stops thermal bridging and reduces heat transmittance
• Vapor and moisture barriers or membranes
• Effective caulking details are essential

INSULATION

• Inquire about what may be the best type of insulation for maximum efficiency and your budget
• Special framing techniques, such as 2×6 construction, double wall wood framing, or raised hip insulation
• High-density materials like concrete, bricks and tiles can provide thermal mass that stores energy
  

VENTILATION

• Passive or mechanical ventilation system
• Air-to-air heat exchanger

BUILDING SITE

• Select a building site and home design that positions living area windows toward the sun
• Passive solar design techniques to take advantage of a building’s site, climate, and materials to minimize energy use

PLANNING FOR SNOW

• Provide a space where the roof can shed snow safely and without interfering
• Covered entryways
• Walkways that are away from overhangs
• Have wide and flat walkways that are easier for snow removal
• Have railings available at all walkways and stairways
• Consider installation of radiant heating if possible

There is clearly a wide range of options and planning to consider when designing a home or cabin that can not only withstand a Minnesota and Wisconsin winter but one that can also provide you with comfort and ease of living throughout those months. Please take a look at “The Most Resilient House in North America” to get an even better idea of how all of these options can be implemented. It is truly amazing what can be done to build the house of your dreams in any climate!

More information about the design items listed above can be found at:

15 Smart Design Choices for Cold Climates
By Laura Gaskill on Houzz.com

How to Design a Home for a Cold Climate
By Roy Diez on NewHomeSource.com

**If preparing your cabin or home for this winter is still on your “to-do list” please review our previous blog along with an article we received from Wrightwood Homes about the key items to give attention to when preparing your home for winter.**