Essential Winter Features for BC Prefab Cabins

## Building for BC Winters

British Columbia's diverse climate zones – from mild coastal winters to snowy interior conditions – require thoughtful cabin design. Here are the essential features we build into every Avanta Homes cabin.

### Insulation Excellence

**Wall Insulation**: R-22 minimum, with R-28 options for interior locations

**Roof Insulation**: R-40 standard, R-50 for snow country

**Floor Insulation**: R-28 standard, critical for comfort

Our rainscreen wall system creates an air gap that prevents moisture buildup – essential in BC's wet climate.

### Window Performance

**Triple-Pane Standard**: All Avanta cabins feature triple-pane windows with:
- Low-E coatings for heat retention
- Argon gas fill for insulation
- Warm-edge spacers to prevent condensation

**Strategic Placement**: South-facing windows maximize passive solar heating while minimizing heat loss on north walls.

### Heating Systems

**Mini-Split Heat Pumps**: Our recommended heating solution offers:
- Efficient heating down to -25°C
- Air conditioning for summer
- Zone control for multi-room cabins
- Lower operating costs than baseboard heat

**Backup Options**: Wood stoves, electric baseboard, or propane heating for off-grid locations.

### Snow Load Engineering

All Avanta cabins are engineered for BC snow loads:

- **Coastal**: 1.5 kPa standard
- **Interior**: 2.0-3.0 kPa as required
- **Mountain**: Custom engineering for specific locations

### Moisture Management

BC's wet climate requires careful moisture control:

1. **Rainscreen Siding**: Air gap allows walls to dry
2. **Vapor Barriers**: Properly placed to prevent condensation
3. **Ventilation**: HRV systems maintain air quality and control humidity
4. **Roof Ventilation**: Prevents ice dams and moisture buildup

### Winter-Ready Features

Standard in our cold-climate packages:

- Insulated entry vestibule options
- Heated floors (optional)
- Frost-protected water lines
- Snow-rated decking and stairs
- LED exterior lighting for dark winter days

### Regional Considerations

**Coastal BC**: Focus on moisture management and moderate insulation

**Interior BC**: Maximum insulation, robust heating, snow load engineering

**Northern BC**: Extreme cold packages, backup heating, extended warranties

### Comfort Guaranteed

Every Avanta Homes cabin is engineered for year-round comfort in BC conditions. Our 10-year structural warranty covers all climate-related performance.

Contact us to discuss the right features for your BC location.