If you are thinking of building your very own winter home, you should know that they are quite unique and you will need to be as careful as possible. Remember that winter homes are built in regions that are integrally cold. They are built quite differently and they are meant to keep the cold out. So before you start building your own winter home, you should have a set plan. Here are 6 Effective tips to build a winter home of your very own.
1. Choose a Fitting Location
Before you start building your winter home, it is imperative that you choose a great location. If you own a plot of land, you should make sure that it is nowhere near the foot of the mountain. Avalanches are very common especially during heavy snowfall, and if your winter home is situated at the foot of a mountain, it might get submerged under a great deal of snow.
So if it is possible, you should place your winter home near the woods where it could be shielded from the cold winds. It is also a good idea to build your home on an even field that does not have any stones or deep roots underneath. Remember that you will need to dig deep for your foundations. It is also a good idea to build your winter home near a stable water source. That way you will have running water on a daily basis.
2. Use the Right Building Materials
When it comes to building your winter home, it is imperative that you use the right building materials. Remember that your building materials could mean the difference between your winter home being comfortable or impossible to live in.
Winter homes are usually made of logs and with a rocky foundation. The logs are perfect building materials because they help retain heat, and provide a comfy atmosphere at the same time. There is also the fact that transporting building materials to your chosen location could be difficult and expensive, so the more accessible logs are a great source of building materials.
3. Make the Foundations as Deep as Possible
Winter homes are always built on snowy and cold areas such as snow-capped mountain resorts. These areas are very prone to avalanches and erosion, and if you build your winter home on shallow foundations, there is a likelihood that they will get swept up during avalanches. So make it a priority to make your foundations as deep as possible. If possible, you should build your winter home on solid rock that way it will have a firm hold no matter how large or powerful the avalanche may be.
4. Make Sure Your Roofs Are Sloped
There will be times where the snowfall will be very heavy, and the snow that lands on top of your roof could accumulate. This is why a majority of winter homes use sloped roofs. This ensures that the snow will naturally fall off the roof. Avoid making your roof too flat, because the snow may end up in huge piles, and eventually damage your roof.
When you design your roof, it should be angled in a way that the snow slides clear of the roof or straight into a gutter. Make sure that there are no flat spaces where snow and filth could accumulate because the more they clump up the more chances your roof will collapse.
5. Make Sure the Heating and Water Lines are as Durable as Possible
One of the most important parts of a winter home is its pipelines. Without the pipelines, you won’t be able to heat your winter home. You also won’t be able to get fresh water if your water lines are frozen up.
So it is important that your pipelines are as durable and cold-resistant as possible. They should be airtight as well and could be closed and opened with little to no effort. This is where api 6d ball valves are essential. Although these ball valves are usually used for industrial purposes, they are also very efficient for plumbing functions. Their dimensions make them perfect for pipework.
When you purchase a ball valve, it is important that they are of the best quality possible. The XHVAL company is an api 6d ball valve manufacturer that has been in the business for decades. So if you are going to install a ball valve in your winter home’s pipe systems you know exactly where to get them.
6. Insulation Is Key
If your home is not well-insulated, there is a very big likelihood that you will freeze to death. A home with no insulation is usually very drafty, and the cold winter winds could get into your home with little to no trouble.
So it is imperative that your winter home is as insulated as possible. Luckily there are a lot of ways to insulate your winter home. One effective way is to sheath your walls in insulating foam. This will help your home to retain heat no matter how the weather may be. You could also line your roof and the floor with foam so that the entire house is as snug as possible.
There is a certain art to insulating a home, and if you are not meticulous or detail-oriented, you will most likely end up with a very drafty and cold living space. This could prove fatal once the colder months come in. So make sure that you properly insulate every inch of your home.
Conclusion
Having a winter home is a dream for many adventurous people. These types of homes are usually built in very cold areas in the mountains, and they are perfect places to have a winter adventure. However, before you build your winter home, you should have a set plan. With these tips, you’ll be able to create a truly functional winter home.