Almost all of a sudden triple glazed thermopanes are or should be gaining interest. Low E with argon as well in them. Basement wall insulation not optional here in Nova Scotia anymore. Code issue now. Inside and out.

Six inch outer walls a no no as well. Either 2x8 or 2x6 with 2 inch foam on the outside. These things have been in place for awhile now. Makes me look at windows a little more closely.

I tend to be fussy while building. Took the wife down after taking her out to dinner this evening to inspect one. I like her critique on things I do. I can count on her honest opinion.

You have to be pretty far north in Canada to see frost that extreme. You are safe at four feet locally. Most years will not even be close to it. I have been waiting for the snow to melt. A couple of days ago we found three inches of frost where we will be digging after the weekend hopefully.

Standard wall construction here is 2x6 w/ interior 2x3 horizontal strapping with the air/vapor barrier sandwiched in-between so all electrical is on the inside without penetrating the AVB; R-60 ceiling, triple lowE argon windows, and a heat recovery ventilator. House also has to pass an air leakage test. Basic Cdn R2000 standards are the norm here now. Many add exterior foam over that. Heating must be high efficiency minimum 85%. I built my house to that standard 15 years ago.

2x8 allows too much thermal bridging and isn't permitted.

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“Never attempt to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig.” ― Robert A. Heinlein

We will be getting ANOTHER load-a-snow this Tuesday....my arms now look like AHHHHHNOLDS from shoveling this crap. OTH it makes for interesting snow sculptures. The condo nazi's are not happy because it seems someone has been making anatomically correct "snow ladies" out back. However but, the "snow lady" had on a lovely swimsuit properly accessorized.

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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

Thermal bridging is easily defeated by staggered 2x4 studs on a larger plate.

I too thought with the thermal bridging it would not be much better with 2x8s. Air exchangers are code for quite some time as well now here.

I think staggered 2x4s on a wide plate would be allowed although I have not seen this done for a long time locally. I have not installed triple thermopanes since we built our own house 35 years ago. If you ever have them their worth is obvious. what really surprised me back then was the reduction of noise transmission.

The staggered studs also make wiring a breeze.