Do you have an extra space that you don’t know what to do with? Do you wish to know how to build a tiny house to make the most use of it? Well, here we will give you a step by step guide to make yourself a minimalistic house. It can go low-key but it will definitely have all the necessary things you need.
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Steps on how to build a tiny house
Check out the following steps to know how you can build a tiny house with the least of things you might need:
1. Plan and design
At first, you need to plan and design your house because the space constraint is a huge part to tackle. You can only get started on building a home when you have enough space to at least move around in it. So, you need to start planning with whatever you have and how you want to go about it. Knowing how much you can work on will help you keep away from disappointments.
2. Finding a place
If you don’t already have a place, but you wish to buy one, you need to follow this step sincerely. People who have a piece of land already can go ahead and start building it. The area can be at the edge of your property, your backyard, or somewhere you’d like to take a weekend getaway.
If your plot is too little, you can consider having a house on wheels! Note that mobile houses are heavier and do not have all the amenities of a fixed home. You can, of course, try cross-country travels with it, but you’d have to put extra effort into making and maintaining it.
Here, we will tell you how to make an easy dual-axle flatbed trailer that is finished with proper trailer breaks. It is time to get into the real deal of building a tiny house.
3. Build the floor
You need proper lumber to create the floor or base of your tiny house. If you use a trailer you need to use it as a foundation. You also need to secure the foundation by reinforcing joints in the possible weak points. Once your floor foundation is secured, you can sheath the lumber with a piece of plywood or an oriented-strand-board (OSB). Both of them are strong but OSB costs you much less than the latter.
4. Framing walls
It is time to give your home a proper shape and structure. You should try and use metal bracing in this part so that the walls stay together for long. Don’t feel scared as the metal bracing can be easily hidden from the interior structure when you complete making the house. Moreover, the braces will do the job within the walls. You need to again sheath the walls like the step before.
5. Framing roof to install roof material
Once the walls are set up, you need to set your roof up. But this part can be slightly tricky, especially if you don’t have much time for the setup. You can make your roof designs simple and easy as well. But since it is the finishing, it needs to be fitted well.
Once framing and sheathing are done for the roof, you need to add roofing material to keep it dry from rains. For this, you need to use standing seam metal for lasting roofing. However, it will be hard to install steep and complex roofing, if that’s something you want.
6. Wrap the house
You need to wrap your new home with a house wrap. These are breathable materials that are used for the protection of the house. It releases moisture and keeps interiors dry. It also protects you from weather conditions.
7. Doors and windows
This is yet another tricky part because of the measurements you’d have to take. You ought to get them to a flawless square and at the right level. It isn’t just a matter of aesthetics but also to make the windows and doors last. If you think you could go wrong in this step, we’d suggest you ask for professional help.
8. Clad, trim, paint, and caulk the exterior
Once you’re towards the end of creating the basics, you need to add aesthetic appeal. This will give an overall finish to your home. The step also includes sealing cracks or gaps by caulking and sheathing the house with some pre-finished material.
9. Plumbing
You will take time in this part as there is no room for mistakes and it is tricky too. You will also need experts with you here. It is best to go ahead with copper plumbing instead of plastic. They are hard to work with and are also cheap.
10. Electrical input
You need expert help here as well. If you’re new to construction, you have to go ahead with what the expert says and refrain from DIY mistakes.
11. Insulation
You need to use foam as insulation for your tiny home. The best thing to turn to is a low-VOC for healthy interior air quality. You need to fill every corner with plastic sheeting and use spray foam.
12. Interior sheathing
Once you’re done with insulation, electricity, and plumbing, it is time for walling. Most people use wood to build a tiny house interior but you can also go for drywall. They are moderately cheaper and offer protection from fire.
13. Interior stain or painting
Once you’re done with the tough part, it is time for the fun part. You can totally DIY painting your house only if you’re sure to not spill colors. You also need to have a good practice to get this done perfectly.
14. Flooring
The final part is the flooring and including covering the subfloor with materials like tiles, vinyl, or wood. A pre-finished wooden floor can also work well. You’re ready to move in once this is done!
Final thoughts
Knowing how to build a tiny house isn’t tough but it is definitely tricky. If you follow these steps properly, you will be able to make a small home for yourself. It will be simple, beautiful, and give you personal space.
