Tiny house building has become a movement ever since people saw the advantages of having one. Many people have realized that you don’t have to buy a traditional home. Tiny houses present more sustainability in terms of finances. You may spend money during its building stage. But the long-term benefits are a lot compared to the one-time expenses.
With a budget of about $65,000 and some creativity, you can have your own dream house. Something that was impossible many years ago can now be done in this era. And that is to become a homeowner. Here are some reasons why:
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* Freedom from Financial Obligation
Those who simply want to live in a house are willing to settle for renting. But this one comes with a monthly obligation, paying monthly rents to your landlord. That is good when that’s the only thing you have to pay for. But if you are paying for food, utilities, and self-care, having your own house is a breath of fresh air.
By purchasing or building a tiny home, you free up your budget on rentals. You can put the money you saved on other things that matter. You can also save it for the future or other investments.
* Physical and Emotional Closeness
By living in a 450 square foot tiny house you, your spouse, and your family are physically closer to each other. But what’s better is that it encourages you to talk to each other. That way you get to know each other as husband and wife and as a family. The tiny dining area is a place to share stories, as well as your tiny living room. You can do things together as a family.
* The Outdoors as Part of the Home
A tiny house can look bigger with a higher ceiling. And with the use of vertical space, it will look wider. But to make it feel bigger, you only have to include the outdoors. You can use your outside porch by putting a coffee table. There you can have a nice breakfast with your spouse, or a glass of wine at night.
But now that it is almost winter, how do you build a winter-proof tiny house? This article will provide practical tips.
How To Build a Winter-Ready Tiny House
1. Find a Tiny House Spot or a Campground That Does Not Close During Winter
Know that not all camping grounds or parking spots for your tiny house are open all year round. Some would close during winter. So before you build your tiny home, make sure that where you are is where you can stay even during winter. Otherwise, you can look for a good place to transfer during winter only. Or find a permanent spot where you and your tiny house can stay any season.
2. Insulate Your Plumbing and Pipes
In a tiny house, your pipes and plumbing are more exposed compared to the traditional home. This also includes water connections and water tanks. Sometimes even hot water heaters are fixed at the back of a tiny house. When these pipes with water are exposed to the winter, there are chances that they will freeze and burst open. This will cost more money, stress, and more headache especially when you need some warm water the most.
To make sure your pipes stay warm, you need to cover them using foam. Then to make it warmer you can insulate all your pipes with some heat tape. For your water heater and water tank, you can also add the use of an incandescent light bulb. You just need to turn it on to a suggested temperature to add that much-needed heat for those tanks. You may consult a piping expert for more education and information.
3. Prioritize Your Furnace and Skirting
In a tiny house, freezing air can come from everywhere during the winter. A small opening in the doors, a small opening in the windows, and through the floor. This makes your furnace and skirting an essential part of and process of building a tiny home.
Your heating systems must be in place. It is the only source of warm air during the winter. Give priority to the installation of a furnace to make your home warm and comfortable. Make sure it is in good working condition.
You can also add skirting while building your tiny house. You need to realize that your home is not built from the ground up. The absence of a foundation under your house makes cold air come in through the floor. This makes your floor the coldest part of your house.
Skirting covers the bottom part and the perimeter of your tiny house. You or a tiny house expert can do it from the ground to the bottom. This also protects pipes from under your house from freezing. But make sure to do it in such a way that animals like raccoons, mice, and rats will not find warmth from under your tiny home skirt. Otherwise, these pests may invade your home without knowing it.
There are many other suggestions for you to build a winter-ready tiny house. There are tons of information available online. You can also consult tiny house experts to get valuable knowledge and information. Just remember, your home should be a place of warmth, comfort, and relaxation. Making it winter-ready is one way to express love for yourself and your family.