Tiny House Forum: Recent Posts

sam on "TINY YELLOW HOUSE- webshow- episode #1 (tiny cabins/houses- junk construction)"

sam — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:04:29 +0000

really cool,Deek.It's an't easy to talk with out those --dud,you know,errr---I mean good job---and I'd like to see more.

Dallas on "TINY YELLOW HOUSE- webshow- episode #1 (tiny cabins/houses- junk construction)"

Dallas — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:22:49 +0000

Good job! You kind of have a magazine feel going there, I like the little bits of hummer in there to keep it interesting. --- <a href="http://HomeDesignSketches.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">http://HomeDesignSketches.blogspot.com/</a>

Deek D on "TINY YELLOW HOUSE- webshow- episode #1 (tiny cabins/houses- junk construction)"

Deek D — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:42:33 +0000

TINY YELLOW HOUSE- webshow- episode #1 (tiny cabins- junk construction) here's a link to TYH episode #1- as a test run of sorts. Subsequent mini-features will cover some more in depth, step-by-step construction of several different redneck-thrift building projects. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEvYT3CMtQI" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEvYT3CMtQI</a> -Deek <a href="http://www.relaxshacks.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.relaxshacks.com</a> Author of "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks..."

moontreeranch on "Straw bale and shipping container design"

moontreeranch — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:42:39 +0000

Couple problems....No roof Insulation and Bales are only "half" protected Conventional straw bale homes work because both the inside and outside of the bale is covered with stucco or plaster. This works structurally much like a SIP panel...loads are carried by the "skins" with only stucco on one side these would be greatly compromised. That inside layer would also provide a barrier for moisture, critters and the like.

moontreeranch on "Yome Living"

moontreeranch — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:31:50 +0000

Yurts...are not really that cold when the wood stove is running...I have spent a number of christmas eves in Yurts. Once it was -16f and we thought we were going to be cold, because the woodstove was kind of small and made from an old steel drum...before too long it was over 80 inside...we were down to our shorts. this year we stayed in a yurt for xmas eve..in is in old of our nearby colorado state parks. I has a regular door with a numerical keypad lock. I suppose if you really wanted to get in they could cut the sides. Another possibility is the Solargon, there was a post at the tiny house blog a while back...http://tinyhouseblog.com/yurts/solargon-structure%E2%80%99s-yurt-update/ These are made with SIP's so they are great for efficiency...and quick to built

MikeOnBike on "Looking feedback on floor plans"

MikeOnBike — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:10:21 +0000

I don't think you have a wood stove in either of your designs but you can save a lot of space with a wall heat shield. 24" stoves and refrigerators will also save space. The ground at our cabin site is too rocky to install an underground cistern so we are placing several 30 gal. food grade plastic barrels under the kitchen counter for water storage. If you don't have an abundance of water go with a 3x3 or 3x4 shower.

anne on "How to have a home with no hous payments and no utility bills!"

anne — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 09:36:32 +0000

Nice videos. :-) I think you're a good speaker.

johnies123 on "how Filling the tiny House with Glory"

johnies123 — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:32:37 +0000

1. keep mind simple 2. enjoy you home 3. you home is the best place for you

Dallas on "Looking feedback on floor plans"

Dallas — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:43:59 +0000

Thanks for that suggestion Mike! That totally slipped my mind, guess I am just stuck in the conventional mindset still!

MikeOnBike on "Looking feedback on floor plans"

MikeOnBike — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:35:00 +0000

In very small structures you can save some important space by eliminating the bathroom sink and just using the kitchen sink.

LaMar Alexander on "How to have a home with no hous payments and no utility bills!"

LaMar Alexander — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:42:28 +0000

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJsDOD0dTQI" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJsDOD0dTQI</a>

LaMar Alexander on "Straw bale and shipping container design"

LaMar Alexander — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:40:38 +0000

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Cc1QyUNt-A" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Cc1QyUNt-A</a>

LaMar Alexander on "looking for info on building my tiny home with panels"

LaMar Alexander — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:37:49 +0000

You might be interested in something like my solar cabin. I built this by myself in two weeks from all new materials under $2000 excluding windows and doors. That price included insulation which you may or may not need. Remember insulation also helps keep a house cooler in warm climates!

LaMar Alexander on "Shipping Container home and Container links..."

LaMar Alexander — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:31:02 +0000

Here is my design idea for a straw bale and shipping container home for cold climates: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Cc1QyUNt-A" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Cc1QyUNt-A</a>

Dallas on "Looking feedback on floor plans"

Dallas — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:00:45 +0000

Yai! Those are small! oops... Ok, here are bigger images. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Tx2DG5sym-k/S4XhQxhlZEI/AAAAAAAADfI/nbgHokYkxuc/s1600/Preview_of_unnamed_document_.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Tx2DG5sym-k/S4XhQxhlZEI/AAAAAAAADfI/nbgHokYkxuc/s1600/Preview_of_unnamed_document_.jpg</a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Tx2DG5sym-k/S3x617CvFaI/AAAAAAAADd4/8v0FS_okRJk/s1600/House%2BA.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Tx2DG5sym-k/S3x617CvFaI/AAAAAAAADd4/8v0FS_okRJk/s1600/House%2BA.jpg</a> --- <a href="http://HomeDesignSketches.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">http://HomeDesignSketches.blogspot.com/</a>

MikeOnBike on "Looking feedback on floor plans"

MikeOnBike — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:20:40 +0000

A link to a larger image would make your designs easier to review. Thanks, Michalel...

anne on "175 sq ft mobile condo"

anne — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:44:18 +0000

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/35864211@N02/4377583928/" title="kitchen 1 by anne bentham, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4377583928_4c8a785fa7_m.jpg" alt="kitchen 1" /></a> The kitchen is done! Well, mostly. Plumbing won't be hooked up for a few months.

Dallas on "Looking feedback on floor plans"

Dallas — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:42:53 +0000

It will probably be a long time yet before I ever build a little house, but I am always trying to think up new designs. These 2 are my favorites so far. I would love some feedback on them from you more experienced small house lovers. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Tx2DG5sym-k/S4XhQxhlZEI/AAAAAAAADfI/nbgHokYkxuc/s320/Preview_of_unnamed_document_.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Tx2DG5sym-k/S4XhQxhlZEI/AAAAAAAADfI/nbgHokYkxuc/s320/Preview_of_unnamed_document_.jpg</a> I think this one is about 150sf on the main floor. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Tx2DG5sym-k/S3x63L5mM7I/AAAAAAAADeA/mOCCcWqmBm0/s320/House+B.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Tx2DG5sym-k/S3x63L5mM7I/AAAAAAAADeA/mOCCcWqmBm0/s320/House+B.jpg</a> I think this one is about 300-350sf. EDIT: Also, can anyone tell me how the forum code here works?

malconium on "looking for info on building my tiny home with panels"

malconium — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:58:49 +0000

There are any number of ways that you could approach building in a tropical setting like you are considering. It is easily possible to prefabricate something while you wait to sell your current house too. For some pointers on how to do your own prefabrication check out my new blog on that topic at the following link: DIY-prefab.com There is a book an eBook on building small prefab structures that you can find a pointer to at the top right of my blog that might be of use to you. I would be happy to try to respond to specific questions too. Malcolm

KimK on "Yome Living"

KimK — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 10:08:56 +0000

Hi Mike, Yes, I've thought of there, but there are some negatives for them that I have not been able to reconcile. 1. They are not insulated. I can expect -20 F or more at any time through about 3 months of the year. 2. They are built for several people sleeping rather than well-designed 1-person living. 3. I like to practice yoga and there is not enough floor or head space to do so. I also have 2 cats and need a designated space for a litter box. 4. Many are built from materials that are toxic to my system (I have some sensitivities to certain materials.) With these aspects, I would need to do some considerable renovating that I don't have many skills for. I have considered getting a cheap insulated fish house to fix up (usually more of an open layout, but only an lp heater installed and maybe a stove), but when I figure the price, payment to someone to move it to the farm I'm going to stay at, time and materials and help needed to fix one up (-add a sloped roof and a loft as well as a place to bath), I might as well be starting from scratch and building it correctly from the beginning. (Many are thrown together to just be good enough for a shelter on the ice.) I have also thought of refurbishing a job-lot trailer, but again, I would be spending money fixing up something that I really don't want in the end and may not have much resale value. Thank you for your insight though. To me, it seems like a slightly more spacious structure for a decent price and well built base that I can add to and would want to keep or someone might find value in buying it might be a better option. I think you can also make these structures (Yurts or Yomes) more "solid" by adding panels to the walls if one wishes, but I would have to consider the benefits first. I'm trying to go for a structure that I can live in short term, but use for a work studio long-term, so I want it to be of decent quality for my client's sake as well as my own.

MikeOnBike on "Yome Living"

MikeOnBike — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:06:49 +0000

Sometimes the cheapest housing can be an older but well cared for camp trailer. You can still use an outdoor compost toilet but can also possibly get a water hookup and route your graywater to water some trees. A woodstove is probably a bad idea but if you skirt the trailer and your winters are not too harsh you might get buy with the propane heater.

KimK on "Yome Living"

KimK — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:22:44 +0000

Has anyone experienced living inside a Yome (Yurt-like structure, but more sturdy)? I'm curious as it seems like it might be the most low-cost portable shelter that I have found. Unlike campers, it also provide a decent winter shelter with the ability to use a woodstove. I have a couple organic farms that would allow me to dwell on their land, so it might be a first investment in a portable shelter to live in and save money for future sustainable living if I wanted to upgrade. My only concerns were that they are very easy to break into, but I would just make sure my laptop is locked away somewhere and, living on a farm there is usually someone around. It would be helpful if someone experienced with them would be able to offer more experienced pros and cons. (I was already counting on carrying water and compost toileting, so the Yome would actually provide more or equal space to what I had planned for in a Tiny house.)

KimK on "What would you do differently if you could go back?"

KimK — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:13:53 +0000

Thanks for posting about the screen in the regular door. I was thinking about that concept as I kept wondering why people mounted doors to open to the inside of tiny houses. But then, living in mosquito territory, I ran into the problem of the screen door (I'm afraid the cats would figure out how to get outside a roll-up screen. Could you post what kind of door you found that has a screen window? Is it insulated? Thank you!

msoddgers on "What would you do differently if you could go back?"

msoddgers — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 06:43:55 +0000

In my tiny house, the inward-opening door actually makes it harder to get outside. Without a doubt, an outward-opening door would be less of a fire hazard. I recommend thinking carefully about where the hinges are placed, and about how the door swings. I did it mentally, and ordered the door without testing my ideas in the real house. I would have done better to play around with a cardboard dummy before deciding on the details. I don't have a separate screen door, but a metal door with a window that opens with a screen. That was a good decision, as I think a separate door and screen door combo would be too fussy, and hard to find as the door opening is a non-standard size. The screen window gives plenty of air-flow, and with so many windows elsewhere, the house does not feel close at all. When I started the wee house, I was thinking of it as a complete house with kitchen, bath, etc. Due to money constraints I only built the box, planning to install the plumbing and such later. I'm glad I waited. Now I've decided to keep the house itself simple, and this summer will build an outdoor kitchen and shower structure. I like to cook, and occasionally to entertain, so the summer kitchen will allow me to do both on a grander scale than the wee house would ever allow.

MikeOnBike on "towing weight"

MikeOnBike — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 11:55:22 +0000

Even if you are building with wood studs you can probably sort through a pile of 2x4 and pick out the lighter studs. There can be quite a difference in a pile. For a small structure the strength difference won't matter. The white wood pile at the orange box seems to always be lighter than the Douglas Fir.

Deek D on "Tiny Tumbleweed House Company/Jay Shafer Comic"

Deek D — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 09:14:54 +0000

Hey- for those on the clock and looking to waste more of their bosses time online (aka "stick it to the the man") here's (link is below) a Jay Shafer/Tiny Tumbleweed House Company comic I whipped up recently. I have a few other "small house" comics and sketches in the works, aside from the "Humble Homes..." book I just released, which I'll also be posting here and there. -Deek <a href="http://www.relaxshacks.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.relaxshacks.com</a>

moontreeranch on "Wood Stove Heating, Ventilation and Travel"

moontreeranch — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 08:56:33 +0000

Lawnjocky here at this site <a href="http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/1_382_0.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/1_382_0.html</a> built a small trailer, that has a wood stove...drop him a note

moontreeranch on "towing weight"

moontreeranch — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 08:52:59 +0000

The EPU from Tumbleweed lists the dry weight (just the house not your stuff inside ) at 4700 # <a href="http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses/epu/" rel="nofollow">http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses/epu/</a> If you built it with lightweight steel studs I'm sure you could bring this weight down a lot.

moontreeranch on "looking for info on building my tiny home with panels"

moontreeranch — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 08:45:55 +0000

The load bearing nature of a wall relies on the rafters (or ceiling joist for 2 story) to "bear" directly over the wall stud. Two top plates (boards running perpendicular to the studs) help dissipate load if they do not line up exactly. There is some leeway in the building code for this. The corner will typically have 3 studs configure to allow the interior wall treatment (normally drywall) to have some backing support and a place for the fasteners to "land". see fig 42 in the following <a href="http://www.awc.org/pdf/WCD1-300.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.awc.org/pdf/WCD1-300.pdf</a> Lots of old time construction in tropical areas left the stud bays open...painted so they look nice. If this is the case then wiring would need to be done so it looks nice, surface conduit etc. There are a number of inexpensive exterior rated "siding" options. A plywood panel with channels cut into the exterior is the most common. <a href="http://www.gp.com/build/product.aspx?pid=1397" rel="nofollow">http://www.gp.com/build/product.aspx?pid=1397</a>

jojabis on "looking for info on building my tiny home with panels"

jojabis — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:03:59 +0000

there is not need for insulation at all, it 70 - 85 year round :) I looking for info about making stud walls with exterior siding only which will be installed wired and then have some interior wall treatment applied. My concern is constructing this in such a way that it is safe for barring the load of the roof. I had considered since this will be a home of maybe 16' square that I might get by with 4x4 corner posts to rest loft and roof beams on.

moontreeranch on "looking for info on building my tiny home with panels"

moontreeranch — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:08:27 +0000

It would be possible to build stick built walls, have them sprayed with foam and then you could add some T&G paneling or some other type of interior covering. You would want to lay some type of conduit in these wall prior to spraying, for wiring...but since your in Hawaii...Insulation could jut be a single layer of polystyrene...you could set that in the wall cavity with a few dabs of construction adhesive...in essence build you our Pseudo SIP's (true SIP's do not have studs) These will be heavier than regular SIPs because of the studs.

jojabis on "looking for info on building my tiny home with panels"

jojabis — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:18:57 +0000

we'll be selling our home and then buying a piece of land to build our tiny home on. However, there will be homeless time in the middle, so what I was thinking was building wall panels some with windows, doors or just solid. This way when the sale closes on the land we can just set the foundation and put up the wall panels. So what I'm looking for is information about building such panels. I live in hawaii and so I don't have access to sip's Thanks, Mary Jo

since_1971 on "towing weight"

since_1971 — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 07:31:40 +0000

Generally, how much would a small house weigh? My gmc safari can tow up to 5K, but would be marginal at best.

moontreeranch on "What about aerogel insulation?"

moontreeranch — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 09:16:49 +0000

<a href="http://tinyhouseblog.com/construction-articles/arogel-insulation-in-a-tiny-house/" rel="nofollow">http://tinyhouseblog.com/construction-articles/arogel-insulation-in-a-tiny-house/</a> nice thread here I’ve seen some aerogel up close..it is just as they say…solid smoke. I remember reading that it was used by NASA for collecting space dust…the collector was made from aerogel and the dust would impact and be “collected” by the solid structure of the gel….a bit like how Ballistic gel would catch a bullet but still let you see what the bullet looks like. This stuff is pretty fragile, a quote here from wikpedia.. “Pressing softly on an aerogel typically does not leave a mark; pressing more firmly will leave a permanent depression. Pressing firmly enough will cause a catastrophic breakdown in the sparse structure, causing it to shatter like glass—a property known as friability.” catastrophic breakdown, is not a condition I would like to see in a homes insulation, anyone who has spent any time on a construction site would agree…that having something this delicate around it not ideal. Also from Wikpedia..This stuff would need to be treated to remove its hydrophilic qualities, one this you dont want is you insulation acting like a giant sponge and sucking up moisture. “Aerogels by themselves are hydrophilic, but chemical treatment can make them hydrophobic. If they absorb moisture they usually suffer a structural change, such as contraction, and deteriorate, but degradation can be prevented by making them hydrophobic” The Thermoblock product listed above seems to be targeted for isolation of the thermal bridging found between a stud and the interior sheathing…not used for general insulation in the wall cavities. Not sure if they plan to develop a product for that…it is indeed a great insulator…just get past its delicate nature, hydrophillic state, and cost and your there! One very promising area would be to include it between panes of glass for supper insulated windows, here it would be protected but still perfom well. here is a cool link about the research on making aerogel clearer. <a href="http://www.aerogel.org/?p=997" rel="nofollow">http://www.aerogel.org/?p=997</a>

Wayneburg on "What about aerogel insulation?"

Wayneburg — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 05:19:24 +0000

<a href="http://ceramics.org/ceramictechtoday/materials-innovations/video-of-the-week-1-aerogel-insulation-hits-housing-market/" rel="nofollow">http://ceramics.org/ceramictechtoday/materials-innovations/video-of-the-week-1-aerogel-insulation-hits-housing-market/</a> GreenTech reported that some aerogel companies are offering thin blankets that serve as replacements for traditional fiberglass, foam or cellulose insulation. It’s still more expensive upfront but the costs have fallen to the point that it can make sense in certain cases, particularly masonry or curved walls. The video posted above shows aerogel insulation over bent tubing. Aerogels are made by removing the liquid from gels, resulting in a material that is more than 90 percent air. The porous structure of the nanomaterial makes it difficult for heat to pass through. As a result, aerogels make very good and light-weight insulators. Aspen Aerogels says that its aerogel blankets have two to four times the insulating value per inch compared to fiberglass or foam. It’s also relatively easy to work with, allows water vapor to pass through and is fire resistant. Material company Cabot has also developed its Nanogel insulator for buildings. Another company, ThermaBlok, has had its insulation used in demonstration houses built during last year’s Solar Decathlon home competition. Contractors have started using the material on superinsulated homes that are sealed from the outside, both over masonry and under shingles. On wood frame homes, thin strips of aerogel can be applied to studs to prevent what’s called thermal bridging, where heat escapes through the walls’ framing.