Building Through a Wisconsin Winter: Materials That Hold Up When It Counts
If you’ve lived in Wisconsin long enough, you know that winter isn’t just cold - its a real test. Snow loads, freezing rain, wet boots and snow gear dragged through the house, and that stretch in January where it feels like the sun forgot about us. When you’re fixing or building something this time of year, the materials you choose matter. They don’t need to be fancy, but they do need to hold up through the cold and still be standing when spring finally shows up.
Cold Weather Shows You What Really Works
Winter has a way of pointing out weak spots. Drafty rooms, damp basements, sagging shelves, leaky windows, flexing barn boards, they all make themselves known once the temperature drops. Good materials really can make a real difference, especially in these places:
Wind sneaking in from every direction
Snow sitting heavy on roofs and ledges
Moisture hanging around longer than you’d like
Choosing materials mean for real weather - not just looks - helps you fix things once and fix them right.
Materials That Do Well in Wisconsin Winters
Here are a few building materials that tend to perform better during colder months and long winters like ours. Most of these are things we carry regularly at the right price. Give us a call to see what we have that may help you out through the season!
Lumber: Straight dry boards make all the difference - great for framing, shelving, bracing both indoors and outdoors, and easier to work with before the humidity returns
Insulation: Helps keep the heat where it belongs, one of the best payoffs for comfort and energy savings, and for those of us who farm/hobby farm - keeping those animals safe
Doors: Winter is a good time to swap out old drafty doors and give your building/home a quick facelift. Good weather stripping is a key essential in Wisconsin
Storage Matters When It’s Cold Out
Wisconsin winters aren’t forgiving, and materials need a little love until you’re ready to use them. Keep your lumber and drywall off concrete floors, let materials acclimate indoors before installing, and avoid brining frozen materials straight into a warm space and installing them right away. Taking a little extra time now can save you the headaches later. Don’t forget, the mud is coming soon too!
Stop In When It Works for You!
If you’ve got a winter project in mind - or you’re just thinking ahead - feel free to stop by and look around. We’re here Monday - Friday 8am until 5pm & Saturdays 8am until 2pm. Take your time while you’re here, ask questions, and see what might work for your project. That’s what we’re here for!