Building homes in cold climates requires a different approach. Cold climate regions often face extreme temperatures, strong winds, frozen ground, and limited access to materials or services. Typical construction methods don’t work well under these conditions, so it’s important to focus on durability, energy efficiency, and stability. Below are key design and construction practices that make a big difference for building modular homes to thrive in cold-weather environments.
Planning for Transport and Setup
Homes built for cold regions are often shipped to remote locations where construction tools and materials are not readily available and concrete isn’t viable for pouring. Because of this, cold climate modular homes are shipped with their own foundation system. This includes jack stands that sit directly on the ground and are held in place with anchors. This setup keeps the home steady, even as the frozen ground shifts with the seasons and enables the house to sit on a concrete foundation even when pouring concrete is impossible.
Choosing the Right Siding
Fiber cement siding, which works well in mild climates, is susceptible to cracking in very cold temperatures. It can also break down from strong winds and constant freezing and thawing. In these cases, wood-based siding is a better option. It handles the cold more effectively and stays in good shape over time, even with harsh weather. Wood-based siding handles expanding, contracting, and shifting that happens with varying temperatures and fluctuating perma-frost ground, making it the siding of choice for extreme weather Artic builds.
Heating and Fuel Systems
In cold and remote areas like the Alaskan artic, electricity is expensive – especially when it’s produced by diesel generators. To stay warm and save on costs, these homes skip the generator all-together and use diesel heating and water systems, which includes:
- Copper fuel lines that run under the outside walls to provide the diesel
- Diesel-powered tankless water heaters
- Diesel-powered space heaters for heating the main living space
This setup provides steady heat without relying on a power grid and usable water for all your everyday needs.
Interior Wall Materials
In extreme cold temperature like the Artic, the ground freezes and thaws often in the summer, and homes can shift slightly on the permafrost ground. Because of this constant shifting, plywood is used for the interior walls instead of drywall, which can crack with from movement. The flexibility of plywood holds up better in these changing conditions and ensures that Artic homes will last longer.
Insulation and Energy Efficiency
Keeping heat inside the home is one of the most important goals in cold climates, making sufficient insulation added throughout the home a top priority. For extreme Artic builds the following insulation levels are used:
- Walls: R30 insulation using a staggered stud layout with a small gap to prevent heat loss
- Ceilings: R50 insulation for strong overhead protection
- Floors: R50 insulation, using 2×12 floor framing filled completely with insulation
The stud design includes a small gap in the walls that acts as a thermal break – helping to stop cold air from moving through to the inside. These insulation levels go well beyond standard building codes and ensure warmth inside the home during very cold weather.
Arctic Entryways
In the Artice, homes utilize an enclosed entry space between the outside and the main living area. This acts like an airlock, helping to keep warm air inside and cold air out. It also gives people a place to remove coats and boots without letting cold air rush into the home.
Plumbing That Can Handle the Cold
Frozen water pipes are a real risk in cold areas. To help with this, each water line runs directly to a specific sink or appliance. This means if one line freezes, the rest can still be used. The lines are grouped for shipping, then separated and connected on-site. Pipes are also run in the interior walls, shielding the pipes from the cold that they could face if routed on the outside wall like a traditional build.
Snow-Proof Attic Vents
Cold, windy places can have snow blown into the attic through standard vents. To stop this, special “snorkel-style” vents are used. These force air to go up and over before entering the attic, which helps block snow from getting in while still letting air move through the space.
Building for cold climates takes more than just good insulation. It requires a full design approach that considers warmth, strength, reliable heating, and how the home will be delivered and installed. Whether in the Arctic or in a high mountain area, using the right materials and systems helps ensure these homes stay warm, safe, and livable all year long.
Want to see how these cold-climate features come together in real builds?
Visit wolfind.com to explore our modular models, see real Arctic case studies, and learn how we design for extreme conditions from the ground up. Whether you’re planning a remote home or just need serious weather resistance, we’ve got the systems and experience to make it happen.