Berryville, VA www.Build-Tiny.com Retreat in April

I am honored to be invited to speak the weekend of April 18-20 in Virginia at the Build Tiny Workshop hosted by Robin Hayes, Al Cobb, and Tony Gilchriest.  This team of experienced tiny house builders offers an affordable three-day seminar to help you get started on your project.  The event, which features the construction of two tiny houses on wheels, includes food, camping, and an opportunity to meet other enthusiasts in a relaxing environment.  What better way to spend a weekend learning and doing.  Hope to see you there!

Medicine Cabinet and Spice Rack

What do cinnamon, salt, gauze and toothpaste have in common?  They will all hide nicely inside a medicine cabinet.  The absence of a window in the kitchen of our house caused me to want a mirror above the sink.  The mirror will provide additional reflected light in that area.  One morning I awoke with this epiphany: a medicine cabinet can serve triple duty as a mirror, a first aid kit, and a spice rack.  For small living spaces, it is nice to discover household items that can serve multiple purposes.

So much time was spent last weekend on conversion of our shed to a tiny house that we need to spend next weekend doing other chores.  Plus our wrists and elbows are sore.

Tree Down

With the start of conversion of our shed to a tiny house this weekend, there was so much going on that I almost overlooked this stunning event.  Apparently last week there was a heavy wind storm in the area where our shed is located.  So heavy that it blew over the tree shown here.  Not shown, just fifteen feet away is the shed, to the left of and behind the photographer.

Had it blown the other way, it might have put an end to the tiny house project before it began.  Instead, the fallen tree will become fuel for our tiny wood stove.  Anyone have any guess how many winters one can heat a small shed with a tree that size?

Windows in a Tiny House

Blogging is a great way to clarify your thinking.  It also provides a feedback loop.  One commenter on the Small Cabin Forum wisely advised "having a window or two" in a loft.  It makes sense that a loft window will help ventilate the tiny house during the hot summer season.

It might sound dreamy to have an entire tiny house built of windows, especially if you're fortunate to be situated in a scenic setting.  However, if you have spent any time in a greenhouse, even in the winter, you quickly realize why that would be a very bad idea in almost any setting.  Like many things, windows are a tradeoff.  More windows means more airflow, more sunlight, and a better view.  It also means more passive heating.  Solar builders recommend limiting the window glazing to just one-sixth of the south wall in order to provide the required "thermal mass" to retain heat.

More windows means less wall space too.  This is an important concern for a tiny house.  Along the long wall I would have loved to install a gigantic bay window, but opted instead of a more affordable two- by four-feet slider model.  Smaller window means smaller curtains.  The modest dimensions of the window permit a table below, and maybe a knickknack shelf above.  And I cannot live without the loft, chair, and wood stove on the same wall.

The opposite wall does not have any windows.  It will get a small mirror to make use of reflected light.  The uninterrupted wall with the mirror hides a nearby garage which is not particularly sightly.   In general, homes should have windows on all faces, but for tiny houses I make an exception to this rule.  Most tiny houses are basically one big room and, if you think of it like that, most rooms do not have windows in all four walls.  The reason is space.  Having one or more uninterrupted walls permits greater flexibility for decor.  If security is a concern, I say install a peep hole, camera, or periscope.

Insist on energy efficient double-paned glass if you plan to use the house in the winter.  This weekend we installed the three windows in our tiny house, one in the loft and two at eye level.  Well, at least they are at eye level when seated.

Loft Ladder

Enthusiasts can attest that there are parts of a tiny house that stir emotion.  Many hours--too many to count, in fact--are spent pondering these parts.  Tiny house owners doodle them, pour over images of them on the Internet, and drive their loved ones mad talking about them. Very often, how to access the loft, is one such part.  Before describing our loft ladder, I want to tell you about the alternatives we considered.

Early on I decided to not install stairs to the loft.  Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against stairs in a tiny house, I have seen the gamut, and most are beautiful creations.  There are stairs with alternating treads that require the climber to use a specific left-right foot pattern.  There are extremely narrow staircases, stairs with built-in drawers, and bookcase-shaped stairs.  There are space saving circular staircases, and the rectangular ones that want to be circular but end up just being triangular.  Maybe I am not handy or creative enough, but I was unable to convince myself that a staircase is a good use of very limited space.

Other ideas were a rope ladder which could have been easily tossed up into the loft when not in use.  We decided against that one for safety concerns.  We played with the idea of using an attic ladder which would have folded up nicely and can be had under $100.  Unfortunately, off-the-shelf attic ladders are too big--length, swing, and folded--for our small space.  If you are really handy with a saw, that might be the way to go.  Eventually we decided to use a basic ladder because of its tiny footprint.

The ladder will improve the support of the loft.

The hatch, not shown, will serve as a workspace for loft occupants.

How does one figure the dimensions of a tiny house ladder?  Naturally, the height of the loft dictates the height of the ladder.  After measuring the shoulders of an arbitrary friend, I decided the opening needs to be 22 inches, but I rounded that up and made it two feet square to keep it simple.  We went with a 15-inch tread, just wide enough for two large feet.  Boots will be prohibited in the loft anyhow.

While some folks use either larger or smaller lumber, we decided on the standard 2x4 kind with glue and nails to keep it all together.  The uprights were notched for strength which narrowed the treads by half an inch.  The floorspace permitted a slight angle.  Angling the ladder makes it easier to climb.  For the treads we could have used dowels, but I preferred flat ones.  Flat treads are easier on the feet.

For many months I had wanted a library-style ladder, one with wheels at the bottom and top, to roll along a rail on the front of the loft.  A library ladder would have looked cool and been convenient to move side to side, as required.  Unfortunately I found the prices of library ladder hardware--even the hardware without the ladder--were outrageous.  If you have your heart set on one, prepare to spend hundreds of dollars.  I also investigated barn-door hardware which would have looked cooler, but just wasn't meant for ladders.

Other ladder options were top hooks which would have permitted the ladder to be moved about.  I especially like the simplicity and affordability of the sailboat ladder attachment hardware.  But, once assembled, it became obvious that our ladder could provide some extra support to the loft.  We want our tiny house to be kid friendly, and having a free moving ladder also seemed hazardous.  (Think of teenagers floating down the river on a ladder.)  So, the ladder will be happy bolted to the loft above and floor below, and I am happy to have the loft access part of the tiny house behind me.

Construction Begins

This weekend saw the first full day of construction in our journey to convert this shed to a tiny house.  It went very well, starting after dinnertime and continuing into the wee hours of the night.  The first area of focus was the far wall.  Aesthetically the wall opposite the doorway will be a focal point as you enter.  Structurally, it needs to support the loft and two windows, so it has to be reasonably strong.  This meant adding a second "top plate", the long horizontal board at the top of the wall.  Studs were added where none existed between the wall's top plate and the rafters after framing the opening for the loft window.

Addition of a second top plate before adding studs above.

The old window shown was replaced,

and a second window added above it.

There was much this weekend to be thankful about.  Foremost was having the helping hand of my neighbor who likes this kind of work.  Physically he helped in the endless stream lifting, carrying, marking cutting, and attaching.  He offered a critical second opinion on countless decisions, both big and tiny.  He introduced me to new tools and techniques.  And, the conversation was enjoyable, at least when the power tools weren't blaring in our ears.  Unless you really, really like working alone, I recommend having a good buddy to assist with the important parts of your build.

After the loft window, we replaced an existing window on the same wall which hangs below the loft.  A third window, a larger one, went in the side wall before beginning construction of the loft proper.  Structurally, the loft is done, but we decided to resist installing the loft floor until after the adjacent walls are finished.  Also accomplished this weekend was the conversion of the double shed doors to a single "people door", as well as construction of the loft ladder.  Now the shed has significantly more light and airflow, and a much better view of its surroundings.

The weekend exceeded our expectations, in terms of getting things done.  Our arms are completely worn out, yet it felt good to move things off the drawing board and into the refreshing March air of the West Virginia outdoors with hammer in hand.  After several years of thinking about it, and a few months of planning it, my tiny house dream is finally becoming a reality.

Fresh Water

We are forgoing plumbing our tiny house with water.  As a fresh water source, we will use a two-gallon Big Berkey filter, like the one shown here.  It is not only simpler, but the use of a counter-top water filter will take advantage of our nearby natural water source, a river.  With a reputation for providing the cleanest possible drinking water, Berkey filters are becoming popular features for tiny house dwellers.  At nine inches in diameter, I am not too concerned about taking up precious counter space.  We will save almost that much space by not having a faucet.  However, I am slightly worried that the 22-inch height will make it difficult for our children to refill the container.  And, after all, our tiny house has been designed with children in mind.  If a stool does not resolve the height issue, I may look for a spot on a lower shelf to make our Berkey easier to access.

Construction Misfortune

How fitting today is the start of daylight savings time.  As I write, I wish I could turn back the clock.

Pictured here is a heap of lumber now referred to as the "loft prototype".  And, the chicken, she is, well, probably very sick.

The lumber is called a prototype because so many things went wrong today during its assembly that we finally gave up, took it to the fire ring, and gave these boards a proper disposal.  Many lessons were had for a mere forty bucks.

These were intended to be the two ends of the loft of our tiny house.  The bigger one would have spanned the cabin from side to side, and the smaller one was to be mounted on the far wall.  The job was supposed to take about 30 minutes.

First, we learned that brass screws are not only more expensive, but are also significantly softer than most screws.  When its head becomes stripped half way in, use a pair of vice grips to remove the screw.

Vice grips also work well to remove a screw that, half way in, became bent.  And, don't bother to remove stripped and bent screws because, after all, it is just a prototype.

We learned that eight-foot lumber does not span a ten foot space.  Next time, buy ten-foot boards.  This allows you to avoid arbitrary 45 degree cuts and joinery that reduces the strength of the piece.

Charge your drill battery before starting construction.  This tip saves high-speed trips to the neighbor's house for another drill before your glue dries.

Garden carts are not substitutes for sawhorses.

Use clamps that actually fit the width of your work.

To countersink screws, select drill-bit that is smaller than your screws.

Don't let the guy at Home Depot talk you into three-inch lag bolts when you really need four-inch ones.

We learned a lot about drilling knots too.  Drilling a knot is a good way to break a drill bit.  Screwing into a knot is a good way to split the board. 

I'm probably forgetting something, but the most important lesson learned was: Do not leave the garage door open during construction.  The open garage door allows the chickens to enter the garage.  When chickens enter the garage they may consume rat poison.  Sadly, we do not expect this chicken to survive.

We will try to remember what we learned today.  And we will try to memorialize the chicken in the tiny house.  Somehow.  Rest in peace, little girl.

Edit: The hen lived.  Either she did not eat the poison or she survived it.  She happens to be among several who survived a fox raid and a hawk attack last year.  We have named her Lucky.

Tiny Kitchen Counter Top

Our design calls for a six-foot kitchen counter with a standard 24" width.  To save money, we are laminating 2-inch strips of pine.  For strength, and to discourage warping, we are gluing and screwing each strip to the next.  The surface finish will be hand-rubbed oil and beeswax.  Most recommend against using pine in favor of more durable hardwoods like oak and maple.  However there are accounts of decades old pine cutting boards that last if maintained.  When the counter top is complete, we will cut a hole for a small sink.

Our kitchen counter top will be one giant cutting board.

Pictured here it is 2/3 complete.

Cleaning Out the Shed

This weekend we accomplished our goal of cleaning out the shed.  In many ways this chore was disconnected from the future purpose of the shed, which is to be a tiny house.   Yet, the work was a very important prerequisite.  Moving objects about, throwing away trash, boxing up various items, sweeping the floor.  The monotony gave us a chance to reflect on how well the shed has served its purpose over the past decade as a shed.  And, how the space will be magically transformed.  We discovered five gallons of local walnuts which had been drying out for months.  The half a dozen bottles of gin, which I admit to having horded there.  Some building materials that we can use when construction begins.  The tiny house project will provide an opportunity for my children to learn about tools too.  Lesson number one revolved around a five-pound hammer and a crowbar. Both were essential in taking down old shelves and removing nails.  We called this weekend the destruction phase.