Tiny House Build...

Started out mounting the new wheels with some old 10ply tires to gauge everything. Jacked it up and leveled the frame. Then covered the frame with OSB to encapsulate the floor system.

osb under floor.jpg

Then we framed up the floor system. I used LVLs to add structural stability along the length of the trailer. I wanted to cut down on the flexing.

framing floor.jpg
 
Then we insulated the floor with R-19.

insulation floor.jpg

Glued down 3/4 T&G OSB... The cut-outs are for the tires. We removed them for ease of construction. They'll get boxed in once the framing is up.

subfloor on.jpg
 
After the floor was built I pulled some chalk lines and sprayed the layout to get a feel for it... I think everything is going to work out.

layout bath-kitchen.jpg

layout bedroom.jpg
 
Tarped it down and ready to go next Saturday after the rifle match. I don't have the windows and door yet. So, I didn't do the jacks and kings yet. We'll stand up and square/plumb the walls next weekend, and frame the roof system. Once it's dried in, I'll verify the layout and frame out the penetrations.
 
Last edited:
This is awesome, keep the pics and info coming

Question about the insulation in the floor - is there anything keeping rodents/moisture/etc from coming in underneath?
In the pictures it looks like there is a lot that overhangs the base of the trailer that would be susceptible to the things mentioned above
 
That's not going to be light is it? One suggestion would be to mount a piece of tin to the underside of the wheel wells to keep mud and water spray from eating away at the wood.

I could live there.
 
HMP said:
This is awesome, keep the pics and info coming

Question about the insulation in the floor - is there anything keeping rodents/moisture/etc from coming in underneath?
In the pictures it looks like there is a lot that overhangs the base of the trailer that would be susceptible to the things mentioned above
Click to expand...

There's a layer of 7/16" OSB between the frame and floor joists. The remainder of the floor outside the frame will be covered with Tyvek. That will allow moisture to escape the floor system.
 
J R Green said:
That's not going to be light is it? One suggestion would be to mount a piece of tin to the underside of the wheel wells to keep mud and water spray from eating away at the wood.

I could live there.
Click to expand...

LOL. No. I doubt I'll be towing it with my Expo. Gonna need the F350 to move it. It's only going to move once after it's built. It will be in the pasture behind it in the pictures for the next year or so. Then it will move to whatever piece of land we buy in the area.

The wheel wells will be covered with a spray on coating before we mount the wheels again. It doesn't need real wells as it's not going to be a travel type tiny...
 
Last edited:
Monday I ran all the hurricane ties in the rafters and bolts under the trailer. Finished out the insulation underneath and closed everything up. Put 30# felt on the roof and pulled the tarp back over it until we get the roof finished.

tar paper.jpg
 
Need to get some block and jacks out there and get it set up and leveled out. Then I need to do some nail setting and caulking so I can put another coat of paint on it.

Then I need to get my door and windows in and start wrapping up the exterior...
 
Right now it just looks like a shed on wheels, but it's heading in the right direction...
 
Awesome progress!

Are you using 1/2" sheathing, and, if so, is painted ply the final finish? How will you seal the seams btw panels? (If I missed this in an earlier post, go ahead and gang up on me. :))
 
Nice work!! Can't wait to see the finished product.
 
trcubed said:
How do you feel about having only one means of egress?
Click to expand...

Good question. Windows and front door were ordered today. There will be 4' wide awning windows in the sleeping area and living area that open. You'll be able to pretty much roll out of the window from bed if you needed to. Or crawl out from the living room window(about 8' off the ground). I feel good about it.
 
Last edited:
Windini said:
Awesome progress!

Are you using 1/2" sheathing, and, if so, is painted ply the final finish? How will you seal the seams btw panels? (If I missed this in an earlier post, go ahead and gang up on me. :))
Click to expand...

Lol. Haven't mentioned it yet as it's been a fluid design aesthetically. I wish I had a way to mock up the exterior like I do the interior. Hard to explain, but I'll try.

Metal roof. The sheathing is going to be finished wall for part of it. I may change it later when money permits. To the right of the door around the side about 2/3rd of the way will be vertical metal siding. To the left of the door all the way around at 8' high will be a faux board and batten(covering the seams @ 16"O.C.) built on the existing sheathing. Above the 8' line will be some kind of siding. I'm considering a burnt and stained pine v-groove t&g or maybe cedar shake.

There will be 7 windows in the house, all opening. 3- 32x18" awnings above the 8' mark, centered over the door and 2 left of the one over the door. 2- 48x24 awnings on the opposite end from the tongue, one high for the living room, one low for the sleeping area. 2- 24x24 sliders, one in the shower, one left of the door in the stairwell. I'll try to draw something up to visualize it...
 
Last edited:
I was wondering if you'd planned a plywood exterior mocked up to look like something else (i.e. faux board-and-batten) for weight considerations.

Do you want 135 sq. ft. worth of FREE cement board siding?? :D Not the lightest tiny house siding choice, but hey! I gotta clear some space!

Seriously though, I'm really enjoying your posts.
 
Windini said:
I was wondering if you'd planned a plywood exterior mocked up to look like something else (i.e. faux board-and-batten) for weight considerations.

Do you want 135 sq. ft. worth of FREE cement board siding?? :D Not the lightest tiny house siding choice, but hey! I gotta clear some space!

Seriously though, I'm really enjoying your posts.
Click to expand...

That's exactly why I designed the siding like I did. If you look at the pics, you'll see the wrap is between the studs and sheathing. I don't need the extra layer, so it's not there. No OSB, just ply. It's stronger and lighter. I will likely add another layer of wrap and side in a vinyl product later, but for now this will suffice. With the insane price jump on building materials in the last year, I have to manage my budget more than anticipated. For example 7/16 OSB is up to almost $14 a sheet from under $7 last year and 2X is about 30-40% higher...

Thanks for the offer. I don't have weight to spare for cement, lol. I was surprised at how well my truck handled it at its current level of completion though! I expected to need the F-250 but wanted the turning radius of the Expo...

In my opinion, most construction design is redundant and made to cover poor upkeep and shoddy workmanship.
 
Last edited:
Ye
bigfelipe said:
That's exactly why I designed the siding like I did. If you look at the pics, you'll see the wrap is between the studs and sheathing. I don't need the extra layer, so it's not there. No OSB, just ply. It's stronger and lighter. I will likely add another layer of wrap and side in a vinyl product later, but for now this will suffice. With the insane price jump on building materials in the last year, I have to manage my budget more than anticipated. For example 7/16 OSB is up to almost $14 a sheet from under $7 last year and 2X is about 30-40% higher...

Thanks for the offer. I don't have weight to spare for cement, lol. I was surprised at how well my truck handled it at its current level of completion though! I expected to need the F-250 but wanted the turning radius of the Expo...

In my opinion, most construction design is redundant and made to cover poor upkeep and shoddy workmanship.
Click to expand...
Yep on all counts.

I just started a remodel and the boost in costs since the planning stage is an off-pisser! But kudos to you for working the work-around.

I did notice the inside wrap, and wondered (before I read on) if you were going to side directly to studs through the wrap.

I've worked on a number of structures that had clapboard nailed directly to studs; and then, there were the T-111 days... Come to think of it, T-111 might not be a bad choice for a tiny or mobile structure (ignoring the aesthetics, that is).
 
Windini said:
Ye

Yep on all counts.

I just started a remodel and the boost in costs since the planning stage is an off-pisser! But kudos to you for working the work-around.

I did notice the inside wrap, and wondered (before I read on) if you were going to side directly to studs through the wrap.

I've worked on a number of structures that had clapboard nailed directly to studs; and then, there were the T-111 days... Come to think of it, T-111 might not be a bad choice for a tiny or mobile structure (ignoring the aesthetics, that is).
Click to expand...

Yup. T-111 is popular on sheds still. It looks horrendous though. So, I don't see it used on tiny houses much. It's really not that cheap anymore either. Up until the 50s-60s houses didn't always have sheathing(or insulation for that matter, lol). I want a simple clean design, but do'nt want it to look like a tool shed. It's a tough balance.

I needed a new roll of wrap and one roll is literally enough to wrap this house 3 times. So I figured I can do it unconventionally for now and convert to a conventional design later with an extra layer under the sheathing when it's all said and done. We'll see how it goes. I'm already making concessions that would make the GOP proud but plan on making alterations later. The beauty of it is that remodeling a tiny is easy and cheap. So, for example the kitchen will be very basic made from misc material I have on hand. I will clean it up and build it to my liking after I live in it awhile and see what I REALLY want/need.
 
Last edited:
bigfelipe said:
Good question. Windows and front door were ordered today. There will be 4' wide awning windows in the sleeping area and living area that open. You'll be able to pretty much roll out of the window from bed if you needed to. Or crawl out from the living room window(about 8' off the ground). I feel good about it.
Click to expand...

Good deal. Windows are a perfectly acceptable means of getting out in an emergency.
 
I think that it would benefit from a set of transom windows at the top in front. You would get light and heat in winter and could be vented in warmer weather.

Good job though.
 
Last edited:
I like this. Me and my wife are waiting to throw the kids out so we can do this. But where will all the guns go?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom