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The Tiny House Handbook. Edition No. 1

  • Book

  • 272 Pages
  • November 2020
  • John Wiley and Sons Ltd
  • ID: 5842493

“This thought provoking book is a great resource for anyone considering joining the tiny house movement.  It’s all the information you need in one book!  The author has done a phenomenal job blending real world experience, data and practical knowledge on all types of tiny homes.”
-Corinne Watson, Principle and Co-Founder, Tiny Homes of Maine

“Charlie Wing’s very readable Tiny House Handbook leads you through the processes of designing and building a tiny home, with careful attention to all the details, including legal issues, cost estimates, material utilization and foundation options. Charlie is a master at demystifying the seemingly complex process of homebuilding. This book will help you live both comfortably and lighter on the land.“
-John S. Crowley, CEO of FACET and Board member, Build It Green

Plan, design, and build a tiny house from scratch
 

The Tiny House Handbook is a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know to construct your very own tiny house. Produced in Charlie Wing’s signature “visual handbook” style and jam-packed with full-color illustrations and diagrams, this book includes step-by-step instructions for building a tiny house as well as information on cost estimating and design requirements. 

Based on 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) Appendix Q, this book includes sample construction drawings and floor plans for a variety of tiny home styles, including: 

·       Mobile (8'6”-wide trailers and RVs) 

·       Movable (12'-wide, routine transport permit) 

·       Site-built (up to 20’ wide) 

Rather than being just another inspirational collection of tiny home photographs, The Tiny House Handbook constitutes a complete and fulsome reference for anyone seeking to build their own tiny home. From seasoned construction vets to total novices, this book will walk you through the process of designing and building a tiny house from start to finish.  

Table of Contents

Introduction xi

Acknowledgments xii

The Author xiii

Author’s Note xiv

Chapter 1. Tiny Houses 1

A Tiny House at Walden Pond 2

What Is a Tiny House? 4

How Big Is Big Enough? 6

New Life for an Old Idea: The ADU 7

Chapter 2. Legal Aspects 9

Zoning and Building Codes 10

IRC Appendix Q 13

Highway Width & Height Limits 15

Chapter 3. Costs 17

Building Cost Breakdown 18

Savings by Doing It Yourself 19

Square Foot Construction Cost 20

Total Construction Cost 21

Big Added Cost: The Site 22

More Added Costs: Site Services 23

Added Costs: Impact Fees? 24

Chapter 4. Design 25

The Process 26

The Program 27

Activity Space Analysis 28

Space Bubbles 30

Squaring Up the Bubbles 32

A Few Critical Dimensions 34

Furniture and Appliances 36

Furnishings for Tiny Spaces 38

Designing the Exterior 42

Visual Element Variations 44

Chapter 5. Some Floor Plans 47

On Wheels 8 × 16 48

On Wheels 8 × 20 50

On Wheels 8 × 24 52

On Wheels 8 × 30 53

On Skids 12 × 16 54

On Skids 12 × 20 56

On Skids 12 × 24 58

On Skids 12 × 28 60

Site-Built 12 × 20 62

Site-Built 20 × 26 63

Site-Built 20 × 32 64

Site-Built 14 × 28 65

Site-Built 16 × 24 66

Site-Built 20 × 28 67

Site-Built 20 × 20 68

Chapter 6. Drawing Plans 69

Drafting Tools 70

Drawing Lines 72

Dimensioning 74

Using Templates 75

Formatting the Page 76

Chapter 7. A Set of Plans 77

The Set 78

Site Plan 80

Floor Plan 81

Two Foundation Options 82

Two Floor Framing Options 83

N/S Wall Framing 84

E/W Wall Framing 85

Roof Framing 86

Elevations 87

Typical Section 88

Electrical Plan 89

Plumbing Plan 90

Chapter 8. Foundations 91

Forces Due to Wind 92

Anchoring Homes on Wheels 94

Anchoring Homes on Skids 95

Pole Foundation 96

Slab on Grade 97

Masonry Crawl Space 98

Full Basement (South) 99

Full Basement (North) 100

Chapter 9. Framing 101

Forces on a House Frame 102

How Beams Support Loads 104

Beams: Natural & Manufactured 105

Framing Floors 106

Span Tables for Floor Joists 110

Framing Walls 112

Framing Roofs 116

Span Tables for Rafters 118

Span Table for Ridge Beams 120

Chapter 10. Sheathing 121

Sheathing Materials 122

Floor Sheathing 124

Wall Sheathing 126

Roof Sheathing 127

T&G Roof Sheathing 128

Chapter 11. Siding 129

Cedar Shingle Siding 130

Horizontal Lap Siding 132

Plywood Panel Siding 134

Vinyl Siding 136

Chapter 12. Roofing 141

Roofing Materials 142

Roof Edge Details 143

Roll Roofing (Selvage) 144

Double Coverage Roofing 145

Asphalt Shingles 146

Cedar Shingles 148

Metal Panel Roofing 150

EPDM (Rubber) Roofing 152

Chapter 13. Lofts & Stairs 153

Loft Headroom 154

Loft Access 155

Stairways 156

Ladders 159

Alternating-Tread Devices 160

Ships Ladders 161

Handrails 162

Chapter 14. Windows & Doors 163

Window Types 164

Sizing Windows 165

Window Energy Efficiency 166

Egress Windows 168

Natural Daylighting 169

Ventilation 170

The View Looking Out 171

Installing Windows 172

About Doors 174

Energy Efficiency of Doors 175

Installing Prehung Doors 176

Chapter 15. Insulation 179

Insulation and R-Value 180

Floor Insulation Options 182

Wall Insulation Options 184

Roof Insulation Options 186

Chapter 16. Wiring 189

The AC Electrical Circuit 190

110 VAC & 220 VAC Circuits 191

Electrical Wire & Cable 192

Service Drops & Entrances 193

Circuits Required by Code 194

An Example Wiring Plan 195

The Distribution Panel 196

Accessory Dwelling Feeds 198

Running Cables 200

The Most Common Circuits 201

Going Off the Grid 202

PV Panel Shading 204

Estimating Your Usage 205

Sizing the System 206

Example Off-the-Grid System 207

Chapter 17. Plumbing 209

Supply System 210

Drain, Waste, & Vent System 212

Roughing in the Pipes 214

Traps & Venting 216

The Gray Waste Alternative 218

Chapter 18. Heating 221

Estimating Heat Loss 222

Heat Loss Example 226

Heating Cost 227

Choosing Your Heat Source 228

Chapter 19. Cooling 231

What Determines Comfort? 232

Natural Cooling 233

Ceiling Fans 234

Window Box Fans 236

Evaporative Coolers 238

Air Conditioners 239

Sizing Air Conditioners 240

AC Sizing Example 242

Further Information 245

Index 247

Authors

Charlie Wing