Owning a home high up in the great western mountain ranges is a dream come true for many. The impressive scenery and panoramic views are unparalleled. Whether you love the thrill of living near top-notch ski resorts or prefer the quiet and solitude of wide-open skies, living in the mountains can make you feel like you’re on top of the world.

However, some of the features that make you crave the great outdoors are the very same things that can cause headaches when it comes to building a custom timber frame home in the mountains. So before you run off for that Rocky Mountain High, consider these five factors:

1. Snow – Once your custom timber frame home is built, you’ll love watching the snow fall from inside and outside your home. During the building process, however, you may have some delays and challenges when the weather turns cold and snow begins to pile up. Fortunately, a good builder and architect will take climate into consideration before starting a project, so construction can go according to plan regardless of what the forecast shows.
2. Access to Main Roads & Public Utilities – The solitude of a secluded alpine home may pique your interest, but you will eventually need to access civilization — whether that means a road leading to the nearest city or a connection to the public utilities that keep your lights on. You may need to add power lines to your property to tap into the public system. Even if you’re considering solar power, you’ll still need to head into town at some point, which means you may need to build a longer lane. It might require a little effort up front, but it will be worth the work when you’re enjoying the incredible views and quiet from your secluded home in the woods.
3. The Slope of the Mountainside – The same landscape that creates a beautiful vista can also complicate your building plans. A good architect and custom home builder always consider the slope of a property when designing and building a home, but this is especially important for homes in mountainous areas. Experienced builders understand these challenges and can design and construct stable, secure homes even on the steepest slopes.
4. Logistics – Building in a steep area might require special equipment — which might be difficult to get to your building site. You may need to have a paved or gravel lane and additional roadways created before the building process can begin.
5. Preserving Nature & the View – You’ve dreamt of moving up into the mountains for the clean air, the tranquility, and (again) those views! Make sure you and your builder are preserving the area around your building site, including its plant life and waterways. A quality custom home builder can help you keep natural resources as undisturbed as possible.

Timber Manufacturers with Mountain Experience

You already know that a beautiful home with a breathtaking view is where you want to be. Weigh the pros of those incredible vistas and outdoor adventures against the cons of building challenges to determine if this type of home is right for you. Though a sloped lot can be more complicated than a flat piece of land, the challenges are not insurmountable. With the help of a qualified, experienced building team, people live out their dreams of mountainside custom timber homes every day.

Mid-Atlantic Timberframes recognizes the challenges mountains can present and works to find solutions. Click here for more information on how Mid-Atlantic Timberframes can help you build the home of your dreams in the Mountain States.