A Homeowner's guide to Cold Weather Concreting in Wisconsin

Winter is always part of the design conversation in Wisconsin, but sometimes it shows up earlier, or more aggressively, than expected. This week, we were watching temperatures swing from 15°F at dawn to nearly 40°F by afternoon, with humidity sitting around 80% and a good chance of snow the morning of a planned pour.

And while those conditions aren’t ideal, they’re also not unusual. So the question becomes: Is cold-weather concrete safe?

The answer is yes: if everyone follows the right process.

To understand what that looks like, I want to share a recent experience with a homeowner named Peter.

Pricing Pressures, Winter Timing, and a Nervous Homeowner

When we were planning Peter's addition, the team was already mobilized on site for a new driveway. The builder was trying to be thoughtful about cost by combining pours, especially because ready-mix concrete prices have been climbing year over year. Waiting six months would have meant rebidding the job, re-mobilizing, and likely paying more.

From a scheduling and budgeting standpoint, it made perfect sense.

From Peter’s standpoint?

It felt like a red flag.

He worried that rushing concrete into the ground in the cold could create long-term problems: cracking, spalling, or structural issues that wouldn't show up until long after any workmanship warranty expired.

So we slowed down.

We talked through the risks, the safeguards, and what the codes actually require. I also spoke with the builder, not to correct him, but to help him communicate his plan in a way that addressed Peter’s concerns.

Once everyone was aligned, the pour moved forward with the right protection in place. And everyone felt good about it.

Translating Technical Decisions

Cold weather concrete is as much a communication challenge as a technical one.

Homeowners don’t know what a “5-bag mix with warm aggregate and accelerant” means. Builders know exactly what to do but may not always articulate the why.

Concrete suppliers have their own protocols behind the scenes.

A big part of my job as an architect is to sit in the middle of that triangle.

I’m not a concrete chemist, but I am educated to understand how buildings go together and to advocate for the homeowner when something feels unclear. That means asking the right questions, interpreting the technical language, and making sure the team has a shared plan, especially when weather becomes a variable.

What the Code Actually Says About Cold Weather Concrete

Here’s the part most people don’t realize:

1. Wisconsin’s Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC) does NOT include a dedicated cold-weather concreting chapter.

The UDC adopts two main ACI standards for residential concrete:

• ACI 318-14 — Structural Concrete

• ACI 332-14 — Residential Concrete

But Wisconsin does not adopt the commentary sections where cold-weather guidance is typically discussed.

2. So where does cold-weather concrete guidance come from?

From best-practice industry documents, including:

• ACI 306R — Cold Weather Concreting

• NRMCA CIP-11 — Curing In-Place Concrete

• NRMCA CIP-27 — Cold Weather Concreting

Good concrete contractors know these procedures inside and out.

3. Standard cold-weather protections include:

• Removing snow, frost, and ice

• Thawing the subgrade

• Keeping embedment's above freezing

• Delivering concrete at 55–75°F

• Maintaining at least 55°F at the surface during curing

• Providing 3 days minimum of protection

• Avoiding temperature drops greater than 50°F in 24 hours

• Not applying de-icing salts for the first winter

These are not “extras”, they are responsible, expected practices.

Successful Winter Concrete is about People

Cold-weather concrete succeeds when:

• The concrete contractor is experienced

• The ready-mix supplier knows the mix design

• The GC is thinking ahead about scheduling

• The architect or engineer is asking smart questions

• Everyone communicates clearly with the homeowner

When those pieces are aligned, a winter pour can perform just as well as one placed in June.

What Homeowners Should Ask Their Builder

If you have a winter foundation or flatwork coming up, here are good questions to ask—calm, non-confrontational, and genuinely helpful:

1. “How will you keep the concrete above 55°F during the first 72 hours?”

   (Blankets, insulated forms, heated enclosures)

   
   

2. “What temperature will the mix be delivered at?”

   (Warm water and aggregates are standard)

   
   

3. “Who is designing the mix?”

   (Experienced suppliers tailor mixes for cold weather)

   
   

4. “What’s your plan if the weather shifts suddenly?”

   
   

5. “When will you remove the thermal protection?”

   (Look for: “When the concrete surface is within 20°F of the air temperature.”)

   
   

These questions signal engagement and encourage clear communication, which is the foundation (no pun intended) of a good build.

Cold weather doesn’t need to stall your project. It simply requires a plan and a team that communicates well.

At Bouril Design, we help homeowners navigate these technical decisions with confidence, making sure everyone is aligned before construction moves forward. Winter is part of life in Wisconsin. With the right approach, your project can move forward safely in any season