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Local Guide · Kawartha LakesICF Construction in the Kawarthas:
ICF Construction in the Kawarthas:
Lindsay, Bobcaygeon, Buckhorn, Millbrook and Lakefield
The Kawarthas are lake country with a lot of the same building challenges as Georgian Bay: limestone and Shield rock, waterfront rules, septic lots and cold winters. Here is what to know before you build ICF in Kawartha Lakes and the surrounding townships.
The Short Answer
Building in the Kawarthas means limestone and granite close to the surface in many areas, lots of waterfront along the Trent-Severn system, septic and well on most rural lots, and design temperatures around -23 to -25 C. The area is split between the City of Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough County townships and others, each with its own building department. ICF suits year-round lake homes, walkouts and heated shops here.
The Area and Its Building Departments
- City of Kawartha Lakes: Lindsay, Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Omemee, Coboconk and the surrounding area, one building department.
- Peterborough County townships: Selwyn (Lakefield, Bridgenorth), Trent Lakes (Buckhorn), Cavan Monaghan (Millbrook) and others, each with its own department.
- Waterfront and Trent-Severn lots may also involve the conservation authority and Parks Canada for shoreline work.
Rock, Lakes and Septic
South of the lakes you find limestone plains and clay; north of them, the Shield. Rock close to the surface means stepped footings or blasting, which ICF handles well. Waterfront lots bring setbacks and sometimes floodplain rules. Most rural lots are on septic and wells, and septic sizing for a year-round home is often the deciding factor on a cottage replacement. See ICF cottages and waterfront homes.
Design Temperatures
The Ontario Building Code climate data puts Peterborough at about -23 C, Lindsay at about -24 C and Fenelon Falls at about -25 C. Heating systems need to be sized for those numbers, and better walls make that easier. See ICF R-value.
Finding an ICF Crew in the Kawarthas
The Kawarthas are outside our building area; we work in Simcoe County, Georgian Bay and Muskoka. If you are building in Kawartha Lakes or Peterborough County, look for a crew with recent ICF work you can visit nearby. Ask the regional ICF dealers which crews they supply most, and ask the local building inspectors who builds good ICF. Then run every candidate through our 20 questions to ask an ICF contractor, and see how to find ICF builders in Ontario.
Questions We Get
Is ICF a good choice for a Kawartha lake home?+
Yes, especially for a year-round home. It handles rock, moisture and cold well and makes a quiet, comfortable house on the water.
What design temperature is used in the Kawarthas?+
About -23 C in Peterborough, -24 C in Lindsay and -25 C in Fenelon Falls under the Ontario Building Code climate data.
Does ICFPro build in the Kawarthas?+
No. The Kawarthas are outside our building area; we build in Simcoe County, Georgian Bay and Muskoka. This guide is here to help you plan and to find a good local ICF crew.
Who issues building permits in Kawartha Lakes?+
The City of Kawartha Lakes has one building department. Nearby Peterborough County townships each have their own.