It's winter and it's time to get ready for the cold, but doesn't that also mean it's time to make improvements inside the home? Frosty mornings can make anyone want to curl up in a blanket and stay inside, but you don't need to let your exterior dictate what your interior looks like. Check out this blog post for some tips on designing a home that's going places!

Design Options for Cold Climates

If you live in a cold environment, you've undoubtedly dealt with at least one of these issues: ice dams, broken pipes, drafty rooms, and slippery stairways. Design decisions may help you avoid, or at least lessen some of the worst effects of winter. Here are a few design and construction tips that are specifically tailored to winter areas.

The Roof

The simplest gable is the finest

A roof with a lot of nooks and crannies is a recipe for disaster: pine needles, snow, and ice may pile up in these spaces, causing serious structural damage. Snow is readily shed off a basic gable roof, which is both robust and durable.

There Should be no Roof Damage

Your roof is at risk for leaks and ice accumulation from each hole you cut into it. This includes any skylight, chimney or even gable. That is not to imply that you should never include these elements in your house; rather, you should do so with prudence and complete awareness of the situation.

Chimneys Should be Located Towards the Roof Ridge

A chimney or vent pipe should always be put at your roof's highest point since it is the safest place for them. Due to the fact that water and snow slide down the roof and gather along the eaves, the top of the roof is the least probable location for snow and ice to accumulate and cause a leak to occur.

Invest in a Metal Roof

It's the strongest and most weather-resistant option, and it only leaks under the most severe conditions. Asphalt shingles are also more durable than wood or slate shingles in hard winters and are less expensive to replace than wood or slate shingles.

Assure that Your Roof has a Secure Location for Shedding Snow

Due to the speed with which metal roofs lose snow, this might result in another problem: massive snow heaps around the home! Include sufficient space under the roof line for this purpose, as well as a safe walking route that does not run immediately beneath the eaves, when designing your home.

Outside of the Building

Railings should be installed at the bottom of each stair

When ice and snow accumulate on stairways, even the shortest of flights of stairs may become dangerous. Maintain a solid railing throughout the length of every outside stair — and don't forget about the side and rear entrances to your home.

Provide Protection for Entrances

Visitors waiting for you to answer your door will feel safer and more comfortable if you have a protected entryway installed. Consider including a portico, covered porch, or covered breezeway in your home's design plan.

Heating

Solar energy that is active

Living in a place with harsh winters but abundant sunshine is a great combination. As a consequence, you may save a large amount of money on your heating bill by integrating rooftop solar panels. Effective solar heating systems (which commonly include panels and also a heated liquid pumping system) would be used to harvest and conserve power from the sun, which can then be utilized to heat your home through heat sources in the ground or baseboard warmers.

Windows

Windows with a south-facing orientation

Make the most of natural light by placing banks of windows on the south-facing side of your house, where they will receive the lightest and warmth throughout the day. Only a few windows are needed upon the building's north side. Each position has various glazing needs, so consult with a window professional to obtain guidance that is tailored to your individual situation and property.

The Most Appropriate Window Design

Sliding windows, as well as traditional single- and double-hung windows, have a tendency to lose more air. Awning, casement, or fixed windows are the best options for a better seal.

Final Thoughts

People are looking for ways to make their homes seem warm and welcoming this season, and it's not hard to see why.  Make your living area more comfortable and appealing with these tried-and-true methods. In order to convert an uninspiring and dismal living space, you need to select the proper color scheme for the room as well as the right furniture and lighting options.