Homes should be designed for winter weather – especially snow. As most of the country seems to be under many feet, or experiencing below normal temperatures, you might want to consider what the perfect dwelling in harsh winter environments would look like. A New England architect had these tips to share:
- No matter what exterior design you choose make sure each entrance is covered. A covered porch or breezeway offers protection from the elements for both you and your guests.
- Think twice before adding things like skylights or extra gables to avoid potential leaks. Make sure you work with an experienced contractor when building or remodeling to avoid future problems.
- Consider a metal roof. Snow and ice slides off easily, they seldom leak and are less costly to repair than traditional shingles.
- Stay simple when it comes to the roof design. The more lines and junctions can cause pine needles, leaves, snow and ice to accumulate, causing damage to both the roof and inside trusses.
- Ample space needs to be designed under the roof line so falling snow and ice doesn’t pile up in walkways.
The exterior can be made more impervious to the snow pack with these tips from Houzz:
- With an ample budget, consider installing radiant heat systems under your driveway or walkways. Expensive, but worth it.
- Design easy to shovel paths/walkways
- Position railings at every stairways
Wherever you live, its a good idea to think about the weather and how it effects your home all year long.