Building and construction in Montana climate
With 30 years of experience, building in the Northern Rockies has become second nature to Biggerstaff Construction. Consideration is always taken in maintaining the beauty of the surrounding landscape, but the harsh climate and extreme shifts from the hot, dry summers to the cold, snow-filled winters in Montana require some structural techniques that aren't implemented in other areas.
It's the combination of roofing techniques, heating systems and insulation that, when implemented correctly, work together to efficiently and effectively allow your home to stand up to the Montana climate.
- Roofing |
- Heating |
- Insulation
ROOF SYSTEMS
An abundance of snow in Southwest Montana makes for happy skiers and, with the right roof system, it makes for a happy home as well. In this climate the wrong roof structure can lead to snow and ice buildup, causing leaks and general wear and tear. Biggerstaff Construction guides clients towards the roofing system that works best for their custom building project and for the extreme Montana climate.
Along with any roofing system, some general guidelines for Montana homes are:
- Proper roofing material and installation is necessary.
- Proper ventilation in a roofing system is necessary.
- Proper insulation in a roofing system is necessary.
Cold Roofs: This is one of the most popular roofing methods in snow regions, and is based on ventilation. In general terms this system allows constant cold air flow above the insulation and below the roofing shingles. With other systems, heat escapes through the roof, melting ice and causing buildup that can lead to roof leaks. The ventilation of cold air prevents this from happening.
Cold roofing also refers to building a second roof on top of the first, leaving a space of cold air between the two. This provides double roof protection from the weather along with offering the cold air separation between the interior heat and the weather. Often, the first roof in this method uses Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), or foam insulation, to create an airtight barrier. This method has been the most successful for preventing leaks and other weather problems.
Boston Ridge: The Boston ridge is an advanced technique to provide a cold roof based on overlapping shingles starting at the peak, or ridge, of the roof. Laid in parallel rows, the shingles overlap at the hip in opposite directions forming a weatherproof joint. This system was named for the widespread use of this technique in the Northeast, and has proven to be effective in cold weather areas.
Shingles: For general shingle roofing, a higher-grade shingle is important in this climate. These higher-grade shingles are thicker, and therefore add to a more substantial roof that will last longer. Cedar shakes are also recommended, because they are thicker and heavier than other grades.
Heated Roof Systems: Generally, by installing a roof system that is suited to the Montana climate, a heated roof can be avoided, saving money and energy down the road. But, if this is the preferred choice, it is a technique that effectively eliminates leaks that are due to ice damming.
HEATING
Working together with the correct insulation and roofing systems, the correct heating system for a home or commercial space is essential, not only for saving money, but for long-term energy savings as well.
- Furnaces & Boilers (for forced air and radiant heat)
- Radiant
- Wood & Pellet Fuel
- Electric Resistance
- Solar
- Small Space Heaters
- Air-Source Heat Pumps
- Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pumps
- Geothermal Heat Pumps
- Absorption Heat Pumps
For more information on these energy saving heat systems, check out:
EnergySavers.gov
To learn more about heat systems and tax credits that may be involved, check out:
Northwestern Energy