Winter presents a number of nuanced challenges for the construction process, yet building during the cold season is feasible with careful planning. Specific restrictions apply to certain tasks, while others proceed with adaptations. Dmitry Mamin, an engineer specializing in the development of design and technical documentation, explained these realities to socialbites.ca. His insights highlight how cold-weather realities shape the sequence, methods, and costs of construction projects.
The initial area of concern is earthworks.
Freezing ground during site excavation demands extra effort. Permafrost traps water, and frozen lumps can create voids. When a hole is filled, the rock loses its plasticity and may resist proper compaction. If the ground thaws in spring, settlement can be significant, so building embankments and filling foundation voids in winter is not advisable. In other words, excavation and backfilling in freezing conditions carry elevated risk of future instability. [citation: Dmitry Mamin, engineer]
Concrete work in winter requires maintaining a positive temperature during both the curing and strength-gain phases. The work area must be heated, and in critical structures the temperature must be sustained until the concrete reaches its design strength. Mixing concrete at positive temperatures is essential. Antifreeze admixtures can mitigate some cold-weather effects, but they can alter cement consumption, the resulting strength, and the time to achieve strength. According to the expert, high-quality winter concrete is noticeably more expensive than summer pours. [citation: Dmitry Mamin, engineer]
Laying bricks or gas blocks follows the same limitations as concrete. Frozen mortar tends to deform upon thawing, reducing wall strength. For brick and block work, high-strength cement is necessary, and mortar must be heated at subzero temperatures. A widely used approach to protect brick or concrete structures is a temporary greenhouse or tent heated with a heat gun. These measures inevitably raise overall construction costs, the engineer emphasized. [citation: Dmitry Mamin, engineer]
For homes already equipped with heating systems, interior decoration can proceed with fewer restrictions. If the house is not yet heated, it becomes necessary to maintain a positive temperature for workers and for finishing materials during work and drying phases.
Adhesives, mortars, mastics and paints should ideally be applied when the ambient temperature is about 5 degrees Celsius above the average daily temperature, with an optimal range around 15–20 degrees. Otherwise, drying issues may arise. Frozen areas of walls must be dried and warmed. Cement, lime and plaster mortars, paints and putties may require up to two weeks to dry and need proper ventilation. Regulating ventilation and positive temperature simultaneously in winter can be tricky, the expert noted. [citation: Dmitry Mamin, engineer]
Beyond the technical considerations, the human factor plays a significant role in winter construction. Non-compliance with established construction technologies can lead to a noticeable decline in a building’s final quality. Assembling a proven construction team with the necessary competencies is a distinct advantage. In practice, a number of builders may not fully adhere to regulations, which can result in violations of technology or standards. [citation: Dmitry Mamin, engineer]
The use of GOST standards during construction remains mandatory and carries legal weight. Winter construction introduces additional risk because it can be harder to monitor the execution of certain tasks, making it easier to later argue that a methodology was not followed. Independent inspections may reveal violations through signs such as soil subsidence, foundation cracks, wall cracks, staining from grease or rust, or plaster peeling. In short, the integrity of winter-built facilities hinges on strict adherence to approved methods. [citation: Dmitry Mamin, engineer]
There have even been discussions about changing rules governing the construction of large shopping centers, underscoring the evolving nature of winter building practices and safety considerations. [citation: Dmitry Mamin, engineer]