Having the right building materials for your tiny house is essential. Choosing a lightweight material can help your house stay on the road for longer and save on fuel costs.
Using kiri wood as an exterior cladding material is both eco-friendly and stylish. It grows back, helps with CO2 absorption and protects natural forests.
Wood
When you’re building a tiny house, you need to choose materials that will work for the space and still allow you to create your dream home. Wood is a popular choice for cabinetry, flooring and walls. These materials are easy to work with and offer a natural aesthetic that’s warm and inviting.
For siding, builders often use cedar or cypress, both of which are affordable and durable. They can be stained or painted to create a unique look, or left untreated for a natural style. Cedar also offers insulation benefits, making it a great choice for tiny homes.
For floors, consider using maple or oak flooring. These materials are durable and can withstand the wear and tear of constant movement in a tiny house. For walls, you can opt for sheetrock or slat paneling. Both are lightweight and relatively durable, but slat paneling is easier to install since it requires no nails or screws. You can also choose a natural material like mahogany, which is resistant to rot and decay and is easy to carve.
Metal
The frames of a tiny house can be built from either wood or metal. Wood framing is cheaper and easier to work with, but it can be prone to moisture damage. If a wood frame gets wet it can warp and require expensive repairs. Metal framing is more durable and doesn’t suffer from this issue. Metal is also lighter than wood, which can save you money on a trailer or even allow you to use a different type of vehicle to tow your THOW.
Another benefit of using steel framing is that it’s non-combustible. This can save you a lot of money in the event of an accident, as well as make your home more fire resistant and pest-proof. If you’re going with steel framing, look for a fabricator that offers insulated panels. These can be assembled and installed very quickly, which will speed up your build time. Closed-cell spray foam is a good choice for insulation, as it has high R-value and minimizes sound transfer. It’s easy to cut to fit small spaces and is available at most hardware stores.
Light Fixtures
Despite the lack of space, many tiny homes feature beautiful lighting fixtures. Light fixtures are an essential part of a home, and small homes require special types to ensure proper lighting for tasks and ambiance.
Ceiling lights are a popular option for tiny homes. Depending on the layout, ceiling lighting can be used to brighten open areas and help reduce the feeling of being cramped in a tight space.
Other types of lighting include recessed lights and wall corner lamps. Recessed lighting is an inexpensive and effective way to add more brightness to a room, especially if it’s installed on a dimmer switch.
Another option is to install walkway post lights like those in this cozy camper-style tiny house. These can illuminate a pathway for safer walking after dark, and they’re great for creating a rustic look that would complement most tiny houses. Besides illuminating your home, these post lights can also serve as security and deter crime. They’re also a great addition to any outdoor space. For added security, install a motion sensor or remote control to activate them.
Flooring
For many tiny housers, the type of flooring they choose can be a major factor when building their home. Carpets tend to be the least popular options since they are incredibly difficult to clean and often off-gas a variety of harmful substances.
Laminate flooring is another popular option in small homes because it’s affordable, durable and comes in a wide range of styles. Another option is bamboo flooring, which is a natural product that’s environmentally friendly. Many tiny house enthusiasts care a lot about their environmental impact and want to minimize the amount of synthetic materials in their homes.
While it may seem tedious to create a list of all the materials you need for your tiny house before beginning construction, it can save you money in the long run by making it easier to find cheaper and more sustainable supplies. Check local junkyards and garage sales for salvaged materials and look for discounts at online retailers. Creating a materials list will also keep you on track and focused as you build, which can help prevent costly mistakes that may occur as you get in the groove of the project.
Insulation
Tiny homes are a unique way to live, and they can be constructed with many different materials. Some are made from recycled shipping containers, while others use reclaimed wood or concrete. The best building materials for a tiny house should be durable, cost-effective, and lightweight.
When it comes to the walls of a tiny house, the most common material is wood slats or sheet paneling. This material offers a classic look and is easy to clean. It is also easy to work with and relatively inexpensive.
If you want your THOW to be as energy efficient as possible, insulation is essential. Closed-cell spray foam is an ideal choice because it provides a thick layer of insulation and minimizes sound transfer. It is also non-toxic and odorless.
Sheet rock is an option, but it is too heavy for a THOW. It can disintegrate around the screws and joints, and it moves too much during towing. A better option is plywood, which is more durable and lighter than other wall panels. It is also waterproof and resists mold.