Five Things to Consider When Building a House in Vermont

If you are reading this, you are likely thinking about building your own home in the mountains. Vermont or not, many of these considerations apply to any mountainous region in New England. Building here presents real challenges, but when done correctly, the result is a durable, inviting, and comfortable home.

I am a builder and a carpenter. I built our family house largely with my own hands. What follows is my list of key factors to consider when designing and building a house in Vermont.

Snow and Water Management

Water is the enemy of all wood structures. Protection against moisture, whether liquid, frozen, or vapor, is the most important consideration when designing a house in this climate.

Over the years, we have repaired enough rot damage to know that no single material can guarantee protection. Popular vinyl-based products expand and contract with seasonal changes and eventually open gaps. Caulking dries out and cracks. Exterior finishes degrade under UV exposure. Installation errors are inevitable. Long-term performance depends on a multi-layered line of defense.

Keep roof lines as simple as possible. Fewer hips and valleys mean fewer places for snow to accumulate.

Carefully consider where snow will slide off the roof. If this is ignored, snow will pile up in inconvenient locations such as in front of entryways or garage doors. When wet snow freezes overnight, the problem escalates quickly.

Deep eaves help keep rain and snow away from windows and siding. Modern designs with minimal overhangs may look appealing in photographs, but they are poorly suited for regions with heavy snowfall.

Every exterior entrance should be protected by a roof or an overhang. Without one, it is only a matter of time before the bottom of the door, or the surrounding sheathing and framing begins to rot. We have seen this repeatedly.

Decks should be set at least a few inches below the finished floor elevation. This prevents melting snow and ice from being pushed back toward the house.

Install rain gutters and maintain them properly. Keeping exterior walls dry is essential.

Finally, ensure proper drainage around the entire perimeter of the house.

Insulation

To keep a house warm in winter and cool in summer, high-quality insulation is essential. It begins at the foundation and continues uninterrupted all the way to the roof.

Many homeowners are surprised by the insulation levels required for energy-efficient homes in Vermont. For example, cathedral ceilings require an R-49 insulation value, which typically means roof rafters up to 13¼ inches deep, fully filled with insulation. Attic spaces often require an R-60 value, translating to as much as 20 inches of loose insulation. Detailed requirements can be found in the Efficiency Vermont Guidelines:
https://www.efficiencyvermont.com/Media/Default/docs/trade-partners/technical-resources/RNC_TERC_2017_TEI%20plan_fillable.pdf

Beyond comfort and energy efficiency, proper insulation plays a critical role in preventing ice dams, which are a common and costly issue in cold climates.

Roof Pitch

Roof pitch plays a major role in snow management. In many areas of the Green Mountains, snow loads can reach 70 pounds per square foot, as shown in the Vermont Snow Load Map published by the Division of Fire Safety:
https://firesafety.vermont.gov/sites/firesafety/files/files/Documents/dfs_documents_snowload_map.pdf

This is a significant amount of weight, and the goal is to shed it as efficiently as possible.

Steeper roof pitches encourage snow to slide off naturally. However, excessive pitch can unbalance the overall massing of a house and make it appear top-heavy. Roofs with slopes that are too shallow increase the risk of snow buildup and water infiltration.

There are also technical limitations to consider. Many roofing materials are not suitable for low-slope applications. Asphalt shingles, the most common roofing material in the United States, require a minimum slope of 2:12. Roofs with slopes between 2:12 and 4:12 require special detailing to ensure proper drainage and leak prevention.

Balancing structural performance, appearance, and material limitations is essential.

Window Size

Determining the right amount of glazing requires careful consideration. Views are important, and they are a major reason people are drawn to Vermont, but glass also introduces challenges.

Too much glazing leads to excessive heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. Too little results in dark interiors and heavy, fortress-like exteriors.

Good design allows low-angle winter and morning sun to enter the home while limiting exposure when the sun is high and hot. Porches and porticos are especially effective. They provide shade, protect exterior walls from water, and contribute to the overall character of the house.

Road Access

Homes in the mountains often come with exceptional views, but access can be difficult, particularly in winter. In many locations, an all-wheel-drive vehicle equipped with proper winter tires is not optional.

Over the years, we have seen cases where people purchase homes converted from three-season camps, only to realize that year-round access is far more challenging than expected. Local town offices regularly receive calls from new residents facing this exact issue.

Vermont winters are beautiful, but they can also be unforgiving. With careful planning, thoughtful design, and a knowledgeable builder, most of these challenges can be addressed. Building a house in Vermont means accounting for snow, water, temperature swings, and access long before construction begins. Roof design, elevations, and materials must be chosen with these factors in mind. When done so, the result is a home that performs reliably, requires less maintenance, and remains comfortable year after year.