Tips for Smoother Assembly Services in Cold Weather
Winter setups can be slow going, especially when we’re working outside or assembling plastic structures in freezing conditions. Cold air can make plastics more fragile, tools less reliable, and bonding methods behave differently than they do in milder months.
To keep our winter projects moving, we tweak our process to match the season. Whether we’re fixing displays, setting up safety units, or working on outdoor benches, our approach shifts when the weather drops. These tips come straight from how we handle assembly services during Ottawa’s coldest weeks, where smart planning helps avoid headaches later.
Make Room for Material Movement
Nearly all plastics shift with the weather. Freezing nights followed by brief warmups are enough to make parts expand or pull against each other. If we don’t build in a bit of breathing room, even the best-looking job can start to buckle or crack before spring.
• Always leave space for thermal expansion when fitting panels or setting up outdoor units.
• Dry runs indoors give us a chance to check joints before tightening them in place. This way, we can make sure parts connect properly without forcing a fit.
• Using slots or flexible connectors also helps when working with plastics that stiffen up as it gets colder outside.
Planning for movement keeps the work from breaking under pressure once the temperature shifts again.
When temperatures drop quickly and then climb back up, plastics can actually pull away from fastened sections or edges. Experience tells us to focus on building in small allowances for each joint, joint, or fitted panel. That way, if we get another sudden thaw or freeze, the parts bend and adjust rather than break. Not every material will respond the same, so we keep a close eye on the thickness and cut style, too. The best results come from thinking a few weeks ahead and accommodating natural contraction and expansion that comes with February chills and March thaws.
Choose Adhesives That Work in the Cold
Being too careful with glue is never a bad thing in winter. We’ve seen more than one job go sideways because the bonding agent failed in the cold. Some adhesives just won’t cure below a certain temperature, or they take far longer than expected to set up once exposed.
• Use winter-rated adhesives when bonding outdoors or near unheated spots.
• If possible, bond components in a warm space first, then let them fully cure before the cold sets in.
• Pay extra attention to cure times. Some adhesives might need twice as long when it’s below zero.
Part of our approach during colder months is double-checking that the adhesive we’re using still performs when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Sometimes, it is not just about the temperature reading. Wind chill and humidity can affect how certain adhesives bond, especially if the surface is colder than the surrounding air. We keep a few different winter-tested adhesives on hand, since what works indoors might not work outside. Setting up curing stations indoors gives us greater control, but we also insulate bonds where we can, especially if there is a chance they would be exposed before fully curing. Always check the manufacturer’s advice and keep records during assembly season so that nothing gets missed on future jobs.
Plan Around Dry Surfaces and Clean Edges
Even invisible frost or minor wet edges can mess with the bond between two parts. Cold makes bonding more sensitive, and plastic can turn brittle if handled roughly while frozen. Small scratches or chips become weak points fast.
• Right before joining, inspect surfaces for moisture. We wipe them down even if they look dry.
• If a part’s edge has dents or sharp damage from handling, we polish or trim it to avoid crack lines forming later.
• Clean edges help adhesives work better and prevent stress points once joints are tightened or frozen into place.
These small prep steps can save hours of repair work after the build is done.
We pay attention to how long parts have been sitting around, especially near opening doors or exposed shelving. Condensation or a patch of frost can look harmless, but even a little moisture becomes trapped once two pieces are pressed together. The bond can fail weeks later when movement starts again. That is why we keep rags, dehumidifiers, or portable heaters nearby for quick drying before every join. Checking edges for nicks often stops bigger cracks from forming during a deep freeze. Praising good surface prep might sound dull, but those who have handled a failed winter bond know how many headaches it saves.
Build in a Warmer Spot When You Can
Working outside in wind and snow eats up time fast. Even a minor cold snap can halt tools, stiffen sealants, or stop bonding before it sets. Whenever possible, we shift to indoor setups, or at least set up protection to control the worst of the cold air.
• Temporary windbreaks or heated spaces allow adhesive bonds to cure and reduce the risk of sudden breaks.
• If the whole job can’t move inside, we break it into smaller stages, assembling what we can in a sheltered area before moving to final install.
• Even using plastic sheeting or foam wraps around the work zone can make a huge difference when trying to keep plastics from cracking or clouding.
Cold slows down everything, but controlling just a few degrees of heat during key steps can keep the work on pace.
Coordinating phased assembly lets us finish delicate joins and bonds where we have the most control and then tackle exposure only when all parts are at their peak strength. Sometimes, we use simple heated mats under bench assemblies or drape large plastic sheets over temporary frames to trap a small bubble of warmth. Details like these can make it possible to keep building through January and February without delays or damaged materials.
Don’t Skip Fastening Checks After the Cold Hits
Once our builds go through that first stretch of freezing and thawing, we always go back and check fasteners. Even when everything looked perfect at install, shifting temperatures can cause bolts to loosen or joints to pull slightly apart.
• We recheck anchor points, screws, and clips to make sure nothing’s started to shift after a week in the cold.
• If a surface feels loose or a seam starts showing gaps, we tighten it before it grows into a bigger problem.
• Movement doesn’t always mean failure. Sometimes a minor adjustment keeps everything working longer without needing a rebuild.
Fastening review is quick, but prevents long-term damage. If something does need fixing, it’s easier to do it early rather than after more wear sets in.
Joints, hinges, and sliding locks will show minute shifts long before real wear takes hold. We make it part of the routine to come back after a cycle of freeze-thaw, especially on outdoor benches, signs, or partitions. This habit of early checking means small taps and slight retightening are all that is needed rather than a replacement or complete redo. Every winter season, we learn a bit more about where fasteners can slip or where friction freezes, and that knowledge goes right back into how we prep projects the next time.
Keeping Cold-Weather Projects Running Smooth
Winter work around Ottawa comes with its own list of challenges. Ice, snow, and swinging temperatures aren’t easy to handle, but they don’t stop us. With a bit of planning and a shift in process, we manage our assembly services to stay on time and on task even in freezing air.
The small adjustments, like choosing the right adhesive, wiping just before a bond, or running test fits indoors, make more of a difference than people expect. We’ve found that the best results come when the build works with the season, not against it. When we let temperature guide how we prep and join our materials, the final piece lasts longer, stays safer, and performs better through to spring.
At Canus Plastics Inc., we know Ottawa winters can be tough on projects, and the smallest details often make the biggest difference during the coldest months. We pay close attention to protected work areas, adjust cure times as needed, and always make sure joints are secure so your build stands up to changing temperatures. Planning your next project? Read about how we manage assembly services in colder conditions and let’s make sure your project holds strong all season long, contact us today.