Lastly,
if you are not planning to move your Tiny House, you can purchase windows that
are rated for the altitude in which you are located. Otherwise if you are
planning on traveling with your Tiny home or are not sure of its final
destination, you’ll want to purchase windows with a high altitude rating. If
you do not purchase windows with a high altitude rating and you travel to an
area located at a high altitude, there is a significant chance that the seal
will be broken from the changes in pressure.
Roof – Will your Tiny Home have a gabled
roof and what type of material will it be made from? Typically you’ll want to
keep in mind that the roofs pitch should be at a 45 degree angle in order to
meet requirements of 8’ walls and height limits. There are many options on the
type of roof you can choose from. Simply keep in mind that one of your goals
should be to make your ceilings as high as possible to open up the room. Also,
keep in mind that one of the best roof options could ultimately allow you to
use the roof as a sundeck when maximizing overall utility.
Once you decide on the style of your roof, you
will need to decide on the pros and cons of different roof material options.
Below are some things to consider as provided by Tinyhouseroof.com.
Asphalt/Fiberglass Shingles
Pros: Inexpensive, easy to install, readily
available
Cons: 2.5 – 4.25 pounds per square foot,
failure-prone sealants, limited wind resistance, can’t be used below 3:12 roof
pitch, life expectancy less than 20 years, prone to streaks and stains
Membrane Roofing such as PVC, TPO, or Rubber
Pros: Create a solid membrane, well suited to
lower pitch roofs, fairly low weight
Cons: Require special installation skills,
unattractive appearance, 15 year life expectancy, difficult to seal around
protrusions
Steel Standing Seam
Pros: Many color choices, life expectancy of
over 35 years, can be used on lower pitch roofs, reflective pigments available,
interlocking panels, clip fastened varieties allow for thermal movement, good
for collecting clean water
Cons: Can appear industrial or agricultural,
require some installation skill, difficult to ship long distances
Steel Through-Fastened Panels
Pros: Inexpensive metal roof, many color
options, easy to install, high wind resistance, clean water collection
Cons: Life expectancy is limited to about 20 years
by exposed fasteners, no allowance for expansion and contraction, can rely on
sealants, not suggested for less than 3:12 roof pitch
Steel Shingles
Pros: Reflective pigments available, integral
airspace for a thermal break and energy efficiency, installer-friendly, easily
transported, weigh around 0.80 pounds per square foot, interlocking panels,
painted products resist algae and mildew streaks and are good for water
collection, products available that look like slate, shake, shingles, and tile,
long life expectancy, strong warranties
Cons: 3:12 minimum pitch, more costly than some
options, may require custom made flashings
Aluminum Standing Seam
Pros: Rust resistance makes it ideal for all
climates including salt climates, clip-fastened varieties allow for thermal
movement, Energy Star listed products with reflective pigments available,
interlocking panels, can be used on lower pitch roofs, good for water
collection, life expectancy in excess of 50 years
Cons: More costly than many products, limited
availability, can be costly to transport, requires some installation expertise,
can have a non-residential appearance
Aluminum Shingles
Pros: Excellent for salt climates and damp
climates, interlocking panels for wind resistance, low weight option at under
0.50 pounds per square foot, integral airspace for energy efficiency, naturally
algae resistant, easy to install, many attractive designs and colors, good
surface for water collection, very long life expectancy, strong warranties
Cons: More costly than some products, may
require special flashings, 3:12 minimum pitch requirement
Copper
Pros: Very long lasting, distinctive beauty,
reasonably low in weight, high wind resistance, some products are suitable for
low pitch roofs, naturally algae resistant, develop patina over time, available
in shingle design with integral airspace for energy efficiency
Cons: Run-off water can streak siding over time,
costly, installation skill required, water collection not advised
Zinc
Pros: Long lasting, distinctive beauty, reasonably
low in weight, high wind resistance, naturally algae resistant, changes color
over time, available in shingle design for energy efficiency
Cons: Costly, installation skill required, water
collection not advised, not suggested for salt climates, prone to degradation
from condensation
Slate
Pros: Long lasting, uniquely distinctive beauty
Cons: Very heavy, very costly and expensive to
source, requires considerable installation skill, can require repair as it
ages, high thermal mass stores heat
Wood Shakes and Shingles
Pros: Natural beauty, low thermal mass
Cons: Collect and hold moisture, support fungal
growth, short life expectancy, costly, difficult to source, requires
considerable installation expertise, can require repair with age, perform
poorly in damp climates
Composite Slate / Shingle
Pros: Attractive designs and colors, integral
airspace
Cons: Costly, relatively new and unproven, weak
warranties, fairly high weight, require installation expertise, not fully
interlocking
Tile
Pros: Provides a distinctive look, offers
protection from external fires
Cons: Very heavy in weight, poses high cave-in
risk in the event of an interior fire, requires installation expertise, prone
to maintenance with age, high thermal mass holds heat and radiates it into the
home even after the sun goes down, weak warranties.
Tiny Home Furniture + Interior Design
After you have made all the critical decisions
on the form and function of your Tiny Home is when the real fun begins.
The limits of design elements, functions and DIY
creativity are limitless; while ingenuity and patience are required. Here are
some more ideas to spark your interior design imagination.
Tucking away and folding functional items into
other furnishings that can be used functionally are the key pieces of the
design puzzle that must be solved to maximize space and efficiency. Expert Tiny
Home designers will combine 3 or 4 elements into one piece of furniture. A
company like SofaOutlet.Com can build you a sofa that folds into a sleeper with
built in storage ottomans that can be moved around to expand sofa dimensions.
Don’t forget about simple ideas like hammocks that can be easily strung up for
additional guests. The shape of your home will ultimately determine the outcome
of your overall sleeping options, however any type of roof pitch can be
justified by putting up loft spaces (which can also be essential for breaking
up Tiny Home into separate spaces for couples occasionally needing some
distance).
Multi-Function Murphy / Trundle /Sofa Sleeper Beds are a must.
Expanding Dinner Tables with Leafs.
Mini Yacht that can be converted to go from Sea to Land.
Trundle bed hidden into a platform.
Storage built into stair cases.
Decks or greenhouse elements that can be attached after
unloading.
Countertops made specifically for Tiny Homes (lighter and
designed not to crack during transportation)
Combining 2 containers and attaching in offset manner.
Rustic Wall Mounted Desk & Shelf.
Kitchen Fireplace that can also be used as a Pizza oven.
Garden Cabin that can function to grow most of your essential
fruits and veggies.
Floor cover for underground hot tub / bath (More feasible if not
moving frequently).
Stained glass to bring in light while adding artistic elements.
Curtains to provide privacy when needed and open up room when
required.
Larger rugs and artwork can open up the room, while not
effecting the space.
Pocket doors can be effective for tight spaces.
Have ottomans that can be used for seating and different storage
needs.
Hang high curtains to top of wall, even if above and below windows.
Choose lighting that can be attached to wall or hung from ceiling
to save floor space.
Use Sofas with Lower seating levels.
Call or visit the design team from Sofa Outlet
for customized advice and furnishing designed specifically for your Tiny Home.