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Common Myths When Building a Home in Winter

December 20, 2025

Too often people don’t even start to look for homes in Wasilla Alaska at this time of year, because they have heard that you can build a new home during the winter. There are a variety of myths regarding building homes during this season and they need busting. We want to share some actual facts to clear up any misunderstandings so you can get a head start on building your brand new home for 2026.

Myth: Snow causes problems with lumber during framing.

Fact: The lumber industry takes a number of steps to protect wood during the milling process to prevent it from being harmed by bad weather. While low humidity and a comfortably 72 degrees is ideal, it’s not a reality in many locations throughout the year. All framing lumber is dried in a kiln and is delivered to the building site with 19% moisture content, whether it’s in Alaska in the winter or Florida in the summer. This allows for more vagaries in the weather, whether it is dry or humid. Plus, builders take additional precautions during the winter to protect the wood.

Myth: Additives in winter concrete make it weaker.

Fact: While calcium chloride is added to concrete in the winter to speed up the curing process, this doesn’t ultimately make the concrete weaker. Concrete with and without additives, when fully cured, has no significant differences in strength. No matter the season or additives, homes must be built to building code requirements. These additives, along with other protective measures, have been proven to help for decades. Occasionally temperatures will get too low to pour, even with the additives, but this usually only lasts for a short period and then pouring can resume.

Myth: Workmanship suffers during the winter.

Fact: Whether it’s freezing cold or swelteringly hot, construction workers are experienced and able to work through some of the worst conditions. Ideal conditions are rare and steps are taken to reduce some of the hardships, but construction workers are a hardy group who know what to expect. Plus, many prefer working in cooler weather rather than hot, humid days.

Myth: Homes built in the winter are more expensive.

Fact: While there may be some additional costs related to building during the winter, they’re not significantly higher. In fact, material prices are often less expensive this time of year and go up in the spring. As a result, the cost difference is negligible if not actually lower in the long run.

Building a home during the winter – even homes in Wasilla Alaska – is definitely worth considering. Home builders like Hall Quality Homes are experienced at building in winter conditions and we go the extra step to make sure your home is built solidly and will stay comfortable all year long. To learn more about our range of home designs and quality building practices throughout the year, reach out and contact us today.

This post was written by Hall Quality Homes.