Thanks to its rugged beauty, close-knit communities, and vast array of outdoor activities, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is prime cabin country. Vacationers and native Yoopers alike build their own cabins across the peninsula, choosing design styles that capture the rustic feel of the land around them.
While nothing beats the serenity of an Up North retreat, the UP’s harsh weather conditions and wild nature pose a unique challenge for builders. Cabins have to outlast harsh winters, heavy snowfall, strong lake winds, humid summers, and nosy wildlife, among other things. This blog will guide Upper Peninsula cabin builders in choosing the best materials for windows, doors, and roofing. Our suggestions will thrive in the UP’s tough climate and stand the test of time, protecting your cozy cabin for years to come.
- Vinyl Windows: The Best Choice for the Upper Peninsula
- Fiberglass Exterior Doors: Style and Durability
- Resilient Roofing: Metal vs. Shingles for Your Upper Michigan Cabin
- Selecting Your Materials
- Astro UP in Rock, MI Is Your Cabin Crew!
Vinyl Windows: The Best Choice for the Upper Peninsula
Windows should be one of the first considerations for your building project. They are absolutely essential to any house, but they take on extra importance in cold climates. Windows are critical for insulation, heat retention, and energy efficiency in extreme cold conditions. Skimp on windows and you’ll find yourself–and your cabin–in a world of trouble when the weather turns.
Vinyl windows are the best choice for homeowners in a challenging environment like that of the Upper Peninsula. These double-glazed windows offer multi-chambered vinyl frames that act as insulators, keeping cold out and heat trapped within the home. Additionally, Alliance vinyl windows, which is our preferred brand at Astro UP, feature a low-emissivity coating. The “low-E” coating is applied to the outsides of the windows and helps reduce heat transfer, maintaining consistent and comfortable temperatures within the home.
Vinyl is also very weather resistant and requires little maintenance. It is far less likely than wood to crack in extreme temperatures, warp from moisture, or fade from UV exposure. You don’t have to worry much about upkeep when it comes to your vinyl windows. Not only is it more durable, but it does not require staining like wood windows do. If your window frames look dirty, you can give them a simple wash with soap and water. That’s all they need! Why add work to your plate when trying to enjoy your peaceful cabin days? Choose Alliance vinyl windows for low effort, high efficiency windows.
Fiberglass Exterior Doors: Style and Durability
Exterior doors provide a barrier between the untamed outdoors and the cozy indoors. From summer bugs to winter storms, you need to keep your home protected! That starts with exterior doors, and for UP homebuilders, we recommend fiberglass doors. Fiberglass doors are filled with foam insulation to provide a strong thermal barrier against cold temperatures and keep warm air indoors.
Fiberglass is very resistant to warping, swelling, or cracking from moisture or UV exposure. Unlike wood, fiberglass doors can stand up to harsh conditions for years on end, and they don’t require staining, painting, or repainting. But if you like the wood look–and many people do–don’t despair. Fiberglass doors come in all kinds of styles and colors, including wood grain finishes, and can be customized to complement the rustic aesthetic of your cabin.
Fiberglass doors are highly secure, sturdy, and trustworthy. They create a tight seal with the doorframe, making it much harder for critters and pests to infest your home. They can also hold their own in the unfortunate event that someone tries to break into your cabin during the offseason. So for optimal weather resistance, attractiveness, and security, we recommend using fiberglass doors for your Up North cabin.
Resilient Roofing: Metal vs. Shingles for Your Upper Michigan Cabin
Roofs face threats throughout all seasons, from summer rains to winter ice dams. It’s vital to choose a roof that will protect your cabin all year long, whether you’re in it or not.
The two most common roofing materials by far are metal and asphalt shingles. Each option has its benefits and drawbacks. In this section, we’ll explore both options to help you decide which roofing material would be best for your cabin.
Metal roofing is a durable and long-lasting option. With proper care, quality metal roofs can last 50-70 years. Think about that longevity–if you buy a metal roof this year, your children and grandchildren could be enjoying that same cabin roof decades from now! The sleek surface of a metal roof also helps prevent snow and ice buildup, as snow and ice chunks easily slide off the roof and onto the ground.
The reflective properties of metal roofs make them an energy efficient option. This reflectivity helps to regulate temperatures in your cabin, making it cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Metal roofs are also non-combustible, providing extra safety in case of wildfire. This is especially important for homes in heavily wooded and/or off-grid areas.
Metal roofs have a higher up-front cost. The materials are pricier, and they are more difficult to install. However, the higher investment now could save you more money down the road. It all depends on your needs.
For others, asphalt shingles may be the best option. They are cheaper than metal roofing, but still durable and high quality. They are not as tough as metal roofs when it comes to extreme weather conditions, but they can still withstand quite a bit.
High winds pose a problem for shingles. If your cabin is right on Lake Superior or Lake Michigan, it will face high winds, especially in the fall and winter. Metal roofing may be a better choice for these lakeshore homes. However, shingle roofs may be perfectly adequate for more interior properties.
Unfortunately, asphalt shingles are more prone to ice dams and snow buildup, as snow and ice cannot easily slide off these roofs. They may need to be maintained or replaced more frequently than metal roofs. However, with proper care, an asphalt shingle roof can still last 15-25 years. Just keep in mind that it may require more attention than a metal roof. The plus side is that it will be easier on your wallet.
Selecting Your Materials
When building a cabin, always start by gathering inspiration! What do you want your cabin to look like? Make sketches and floor plans, and collect images of cabins you admire. Choose what features you want to incorporate into your own cabin. What sort of aesthetic are you going for–classic and rugged, or charming and cozy? We recommend doing some planning and inspiration-gathering before you visit our store. Once you have an idea of what you want stylistically, our specialists can help you narrow down your options!
Whatever aesthetic you’re going for, you can rest assured that vinyl windows, fiberglass doors, and durable roofing (either metal or asphalt shingle) will work together to protect your cabin and keep it a safe haven for you and your family to enjoy throughout all four seasons.
Astro UP In Rock, MI Is Your Cabin Crew!
Building a cabin is a big undertaking, but the payoff is so very worth it. Let the experts at Astro UP in Rock, MI put our decades of experience to work for you as you embark on this rewarding project. Not only are we building supply professionals, but we’re Yoopers, too! As a local business of 40 years, we’re uniquely positioned to understand the extra challenges that Northern Michigan builders face. We hope you’ll come pay us a visit–we’re worth the drive to Rock from Escanaba, Marquette, Manistique, or wherever else you may be in the UP! Before you stop by, please feel free to explore more about our vinyl windows, fiberglass doors, and roofing supplies.