Seattle Tiny Homes

Creative Innovative Tiny Home Solutions (Seattle, Washington) Backyard Houses, DADU, ADU, Home Builder.

  • Home
  • Financing
  • Models
    • Photo Gallery
  • Design
  • Shop
  • Contact

Make a house look like a home (and keep it stable)

December 30, 2011 2 Comments

1475-cedar-siding-1024x768
For a truly homelike feel, there’s nothing like cedar siding on the exterior. For the Ballard model we’re building, we used kiln-dried, tight-knot cedar. We chose a lap pattern with a seven-inch reveal alternating with a one and three-quarter-inch reveal. We love the distinctive look it gives.

1476-cedar-shakes-1024x768
Here’s a close-up of one of the dormer windows. We used cedar sidewall shakes rather than continuing with the siding. Someone is going to enjoy his or her view out of the little red window!

1502-bay-window-Dad-768x1024
A bay window also adds a homelike touch, but window manufacturers don’t build bay windows small enough for tiny homes! So we had one custom built. It’s installed at the back of the home and adds a sense of light and extra space.

1493-tie-downs-768x1024
Each corner of the tiny home is secured with a hurricane tie-down. For added safety, the stud securing the hurricane tie-down is affixed to five inch steel tubing on the trailer.

1474-tiny-structure-768x1024
In addition to working on our tiny home, our building team has been busy with another tiny structure. We thought you’d enjoy a shot of their handiwork. Notice the classic gambrel roof that makes this little building really stand out.

Filed Under: Construction, Photos, Safety & Stability, Siding, Windows

Details that make a difference on a tiny home

December 19, 2011 3 Comments

1462-electric-box-1024x768
So what’s this and why are we showing it? It’s an image of the tiny home’s electrical box (above), which is where electrical power enters the structure. It’s also the location for the breakers. We also wanted you to notice the metal drip edge and extra flashing just above the box. It’s details like this, duplicated over all the windows and door, that ensure that air and moisture stay in their places.

1468-siding-plate-1024x768
Here’s another detail you might appreciate on the Ballard model tiny home we are currently building. We’re putting beautiful kiln-dried, tight-knot cedar siding on it, and we insert a metal plate – like the one you see above in the photo – behind the planks at every seam. Why? It’s just one more step to keep water out so the happy owner of this home will never have to deal with mold or rot.

1473-door-window-1024x768
The exterior of the Ballard model tiny home we’re building will soon be done! Here’s a shot of the cedar framing we’re adding to all the doors and windows (above). You’ll also notice the double flashing system to keep water and moist air out of the home. The first line of defense is the metal drip edge that slightly overhangs the window or door. Then, in addition, we’re also using Tyvek flashing tape to seal the top of the metal drip edge – creating an additional line of defense.

Filed Under: Construction, Electrical, Photos, Siding, Windows

Take a peek at a sleeping loft under construction

December 10, 2011 Leave a Comment

1484-loft-window-1024x768We’ve been really behind on blogging (the tiny house will be built before we catch up!), so we wanted to start featuring some photos to give you an idea of what’s going on. This is a picture of one of the two sleeping lofts in the Ballard model we are building. Notice how the dormer window gives it a real sense of spaciousness – and a view outside.

Filed Under: Construction, Photos, Windows

Let the Light In

November 26, 2011 Leave a Comment

IMG_1456-300x232
A large window on this side means plenty of light in the tiny home.
IMG_1452-300x225
Using Tyvek Drain wrap instead of a rain screen saves a half inch in the width of the house – meaning that much more space inside.
IMG_1451-300x225
The high quality Tyvek system for window flashing helps ensure water and air stay in the right places.

Living in a tiny space is great, but you want to ensure plenty of light and a sense of airiness. That’s why we designed the Ballard model with an abundance of windows.

For the windows themselves, we chose solid wood frames with aluminum cladding on the exterior for longevity. When installing them, we used the Tyvek system for window flashing. It’s more expensive than simple window flashings but is one more step to ensure that moisture and air stay in the right places.

Inside the house, the natural wood frames are beautiful and add a sense of elegance. No matter where you are in the house, the view outside is always close by.

Of course, adding windows to a tiny home is a bit of an art. There are multiple goals to consider: a sense of architectural balance, ensuring there is enough light inside, and best use of the space inside. In an environment where every inch counts, it takes a lot of effort to get the windows placed for maximum beauty and effectiveness. But we think we’ve succeeded with the Ballard model!

Filed Under: Construction, Photos, Windows

Raising the roof!

September 25, 2011 1 Comment

IMG_1420-roof-300x225
Early stage construction of the roof. You can see the beginning outline of one of the dormers.
IMG_1421-roof1-300x225
A close-up of one of the dormers. Every angle of the wood has to be cut exactly right.
IMG_1434-roof-300x225
The roofing structure is in place, seen in this view from the back of the home. The actual windows will be added later.
IMG_1435-roof-300x225
The roof with the WIP (water and ice paper) installed. It’s now ready for the final roofing material!

In a tiny home, you want the maximum amount of living space within the exterior dimensions. That’s one of the reasons the roof our Ballard model – a space designed for a small family – includes two dormers.

These dormers add a significant amount of space and light to our two sleeping lofts without making the house taller or wider. Of course, dormers that rise from the roofline are time consuming and require a lot of carpentry skill. Every angle has to be cut exactly right. But dormers are well worth the extra time and effort.

We also framed the roof for two skylights (which will be installed later) to let in even more light and views of the sky.

Some technical details: to create the roof, we glued and screwed half-inch CDX plywood to the rafters, then covered it with WIP (water and ice paper). The rafters themselves are secured to the top plate of the walls with TimberLoks®, which meet code requirements for hurricane tie-downs.

 

Filed Under: Construction, Photos, Roof, Windows

Stay Connected

866-4-TNY-HOME | PHONE & FAX

inquiry@seattletinyhomes.com

We deliver to all 50 states. Contact us for details.
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Get Our Email Updates!

Get Our Email Updates!

* indicates required

Copyright © 2023 Seattle Tiny Homes. All rights reserved.

Sitemap - Terms of Service & Privacy Policy