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Don’t be like the Grasshopper in that old Aesop fable and fail to prepare for winter—do what the Ant does and get ready BEFORE the cold weather blows in!
We’re deep into fall, and winter will be here before you know it, so NOW is the time to winterize various aspects of your construction and installation business in order to protect them through the cold winter months.
The NFI Northstar team compiled a selection of winter-related topics that could directly impact your business, if left unaddressed. Let’s gear up for winter with these helpful cold weather operation tips!
Storing Millwork in Winter
We all know that millwork can be affected by moisture in the air, but also significant temperature changes during winter. Protecting millwork with temperature and humidity controls is an absolute necessity. Wood is a hygroscopic material, which means it can absorb and release moisture it’s exposed to. Therefore, snowy winter precipitation can have a big impact.
That’s why it’s important to store your millwork products in a climate and temperature controlled space and regularly monitor it (or better yet, have an automated system in place that alerts you before an issue becomes critical). Different areas of the country require different specifications for storage based on their respective tolerances for temperature and humidity; the Architectural Woodwork Institute provides detailed standards in this downloadable PDF ebook.
Securing Storage Areas on the Job Site
Winter months are the most common time for thefts, according to a study done on construction site security. Highly secure job sites should include fencing, exterior lighting, posted signage, and lock boxes to store equipment. Private security and/or security cameras could also help deter thieves or help identify them after an event.
For additional reading, check out these articles:
Securing a Construction Site
7 Steps to Securing Construction Job Sites
Essential Guide to Construction Site Security
Winter Climate Control
As this article lays out, colder temperatures and inclement weather can negatively impact several facets of a construction project:
- Worker health & safety
- Damaged materials
- Building specifications
If your teams work outdoors or in unfinished interior spaces, it’s important to consider how you’ll control the climate of those spaces on a temporary basis during the colder months: space heaters, dehumidifiers, fans, dust filters, and more.
For additional reading, check out these articles:
Climate Solutions for Construction
Maximizing Productivity in Construction Over Winter
Winterizing Construction Vehicles
This article drives home the importance of winterizing your company vehicles and equipment: “Cold weather attacks batteries, fluids, fuel systems, undercarriages, and operators’ patience. Here’s how to properly prepare.” More key highlights: Get started before the freeze; keep everything dry, avoid water at all costs; follow the manufacturers’ suggestions for proper cold weather operations.
For additional reading, check out this article:
Winterizing Your Fleet
Optimizing Electric Tools for Winter
Freezing temperatures can affect a tool’s material brittleness, negatively affect lubrication, degrade battery efficiency, and impair the user’s dexterity, as this article deftly explains. Cold weather tools have specially designed systems, like lithium ion batteries and lubrication functions, to operate at peak efficiency longer in freezing temps.
If your organization primarily operates battery-powered trade tools, here are five tips to keeping them running at peak efficiency:
- Prepare tools for charging
- Keep the batteries warm
- Don’t leave tools outside
- Change batteries at first power dip, not when the battery dies
- Keep batteries clean
Escape the Cold Altogether
If you’re a snowbird and already hate the cold before it dips below freezing, escape all ideas of winter and attend the Architectural Woodwork Institute’s 2026 Convention in warm & sunny Bonita Springs, FL on October 21-23! NFI will be on hand, too…stop by and say hello! We’re at Table #30.
That’s it for this edition of The NFI Northstar. Thanks for reading! We’ll be back next month with more helpful industry news.
Visit our website to learn more about Nationwide Fixture Installations, check out our Careers page to see our open positions, and if you’re ready to start your custom installation project, fill out our contact form.
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