Here are the details and pictures of my tiny house build, condensed now that the project is done:
- Trailer: Leonard brand, GVWR @ 10,000 pounds, dual axle, brakes, bought new
- Subfloor: Plytanium DryPly (SFI certified)
- Lumber: 2x4s, 2x6s (SFI certified)
- Insulation: R-15 foam board in the floor; R-13 EcoTouch in the walls (recycled content)
- Caulking: GreenGuard low-VOC
- Exterior siding, trim, soffits: SmartSide
- Windows: Loft = Plygem (made closeish in Rocky Mount); the rest = Jeld-Wen (all low-E, vinyl, new)
- Roof: 3/4″ plywood panels, Energy Star metal roof
- Flooring: reclaimed wood
- Interior walls: luan, sealed with a pickling stain
- Interior window trim: reclaimed wood
- Shower: 32×32 stall shower
- Toilet: simple composting type, but plumbed for a flushing toilet too
- Kitchen sink: stainless steel, used
- Kitchen cabinets: KraftMaid, used
- Countertops: laminate, from Habitat ReStore but new
- Refrigerator: propane/electric combo, Norcold
- Stove/oven: 3 burner, propane, built-in
- Heater: Newport P9000 propane marine heater
- Water heater: propane, on demand
- Water: 35 gallon storage tank or can use RV hookups & a hose, electric water pump
- Electricity: wired for RV hookups and solar
- Solar: 250 watt panel, two 35 amp batteries, inverter, charge controller
- Storage: shelves from reclaimed wood, two closets, storage loft, drawers in the couch, space under the stairs
- Sleeping: loft fits queen sized mattress, floor is covered in carpet tiles (recycled content)
- Seating: large “couch” base with storage, desk area, empty floor space for a chair in the corner
And for some common questions I used to get:
Q – How is a tiny house a better option than a camper?
A – Tiny houses are usually built to “normal” house standards, meaning with lumber and house-worthy materials. A tiny house should last you much longer than a camper and is also likely better insulated. Additionally, you can customize a tiny house easier than you can alter a camper. These houses also feel more like a home…that’s really a subjective thing, but important for some people.Q – How is your tiny house sustainable? Wouldn’t it be more eco-friendly to buy a used camper?
A – This house chose to balance the three main elements of sustainability (the environment, the economy, and society). It is not 100% eco-friendly! If I went for all environmental, I would be broke. If I went for all economic, it would be unhealthy for me and the environment to build. If I just focused on society, then I’d be giving away this house for free. I happen to lean more towards environmental sustainability, but sometimes it’s just not possible based on time and money. As for the specifics of this house, electricity is run from solar, the toilet uses zero water, the fixtures in the kitchen and shower are low flow, I used tons of reclaimed wood, the insulation is recycled, the roof is Energy Star rated, the siding and lumber comes from sustainably-managed forests, and many of the materials came from thrift stores or Habitat ReStore. As for the used camper idea, it depends. Buying used means no demand for new material, but I’d probably have to replace that used camper with another one a few years down the road, and then another, and then another. Also, a used camper would not have been built with environmentally-friendly practices or materials.Q – How much are you selling your house for?
A – I’ll have to update this once I do sell it, but for now all I can say is that I’m not sure. Tiny houses range in price from around $12k to upwards of $50k. I’ve seen a lot of people say that asking more than $20k for one is greedy, but then they’ve probably never had to build one of these. If you’re considering buying this one (or any tiny house), make sure you’re paying attention to the quality of materials and craftsmanship. My dad and I built this with care and expertise…he was a general contractor for 30ish years, then a home inspector, and now owns a hardware store. He’s a stickler for quality! His name is on this thing, so it’s been built right. We used 2x4s instead of 2x3s, the best plywood subfloor you can get, splurged on the roof and insulation, and the appliances are pricey because they are for RVs. Plus, I’m including a solar panel and associated gadgets. If you’re looking for a cheap tiny house, this one is not for you.
Rocky Sink Farm 