When you think of Montana winters, you likely envision snow-capped mountains, ski resorts, and snow-covered forests. As beautiful as Montana’s winters are, they present a unique set of challenges for home construction.
Winter temperatures here can drop below freezing, with heavy snowfall and icy conditions becoming routine. Yet, despite the challenging weather, we have adapted and developed strategies to keep projects moving forward without sacrificing quality work.
Here’s how we manage custom home projects throughout the harsh winter months, ensuring progress continues, and the final product meets high standards.
1. Proactive Planning and Scheduling
One key strategy is proactive and detailed planning. We must adjust and adapt project timelines and workflows to account for weather conditions long before the first snowfall.
- Scheduling Critical Path Tasks: Sitework, foundations, and framing are typically prioritized during the warmer months to avoid issues caused by frozen ground or wet conditions. If site work must occur in winter, specialized equipment such as ground heaters thaws the earth to continue the excavation process. Our partners at Copperforge Underground have years of experience managing dirt work, site prep, and foundation prep through tough weather.
- Allowing for Delays: We factor in potential weather delays to accommodate snowstorms or freezing rain. On days when it is unsafe or impossible to work, we have a specific buffer set within the timeline. If a delay happens, the project timeline is not easily affected.
- Defer Seasonal Finish Work: Some work activities, such as exterior painting, are deferred to the warmer season to ensure quality outcomes.
2. Temporary Structures and Weather Protection
To maintain productivity during winter, we often condition interior spaces and utilize temporary structures, when appropriate, to protect the team and materials from the elements.
- Heated Tents and Enclosures: We use heated enclosures around the work area for tasks like concrete pouring or finishing work that require specific temperatures. Heated tents or trailers keep our crew comfortable and allow materials to cure properly.
- Weather-Resistant Materials: Tarps, plastic sheeting, and insulated blankets cover unfinished structures and materials, protecting them from snow, rain, or wind.
- Temporary Interior Heat & Humidity Control: For tasks such as drywall taping, painting, flooring, and interior finishes, we condition the house with portable heaters and dehumidifiers to achieve material acclimation and relative comfort for the crews.
3. Cold Weather Construction Techniques
Many construction techniques are adapted for colder temperatures. We have developed expertise in winter construction methods to maintain the safety and quality of our homes.
- Cold Weather Concrete: Concrete has trouble curing properly in freezing temperatures, which can lead to excessive cracking and weakening. These concrete mixes include additives to help the material cure even when temperatures are low. In some cases, heat lines and insulated blankets are placed over freshly poured concrete to ensure proper curing.
- Framing Adjustments: When framing a home and installing windows, we may use specific cold-resistant sealants and adhesives that perform well even in sub-zero temperatures.
4. Material Storage and Handling
Winter weather can wreak havoc on building materials, mainly wood and concrete. Due to this challenge, we take special precautions to store materials properly.
- On-Site Heating: Materials such as flooring and adhesives are often stored in heated areas of a home that we heat, which prevents warping, splitting, or improper bonding.
- Staggered Deliveries: Rather than keeping all materials on-site for the duration of the project, we will schedule deliveries to ensure only what’s immediately needed is at the job site. This limits the amount of material exposed to the elements.
5. Contractor Safety and Efficiency
Winter weather also creates challenges for our employees and trade partners. We prioritize safety and efficiency during winter builds to ensure our crew and sub-contractors feel comfortable and have the tools they need to continue progress on a home.
- Winter Safety Protocols: Icy and snowy conditions increase the risk of slips, falls, and accidents. Our crews bring appropriate winter gear, including boots, gloves, and insulated clothing, to ensure they can work safely in cold conditions. We also maintain a clean job site, ensuring walkways are cleared of materials, tools, snow, and ice.
- Shift Adjustments: Construction workdays may be shortened or staggered to accommodate the limited daylight hours of winter. Some crews start later in the day when temperatures are warmer, or shifts are split to avoid the coldest parts of the day. This approach keeps our team more comfortable and productive.
6. Communication and Transparency
Managing expectations is critical during winter projects. We utilize Buildertrend, one of the best residential project management applications, to ensure clients are well informed about potential weather delays and the steps to overcome challenges.
- Daily Logs: Frequent communication with the client ensures that they are aware of the progress and any adjustments to the schedule due to weather conditions. Transparency is one of our fundamental practices for maintaining trust and keeping the project moving forward, even in the face of unexpected winter challenges.
- Collaboration with Trade Partners: We work closely with our direct force team and sub-contractors to address any challenges caused by winter weather, adjusting the plan of attack or material selections to ensure the project maintains its quality and aesthetic.
Montana can experience inclement weather at any time, but the winter months can be particularly dangerous and cause significant challenges for a project. Building a custom home in our region is no easy task, but our team has an incredible amount of valuable experience handling these conditions with strategic planning, preparedness, and techniques.
For over a decade, we have delivered high-quality homes despite Montana's harsh conditions. For clients dreaming of the perfect Montana retreat, knowing that their builder can navigate the challenges of winter offers peace of mind and a beautiful final product they can call home.
