Posted by Damien Cabral on Tue, Jul 20, 2010
Blog Author: Rebecca McKinnon
Do you ever wish you could just sell everything, pay off all of your debt and live a more simple life? Well, you are not alone. Over the past decade, the tiny house movement has taken off. The elegant, clean and super organized living spaces of these homes are enough to inspire anyone to live the simple life. Living in one of these tiny homes requires not only a change in lifestyle but the ability to live your life without excess. And, to design one of these, takes ingenuity, meticulous planning, and passion.
The designers of these tiny homes are not only concerned with the most efficient and effective use of space and light but also the environment. In some cases, the designers use recycled and sustainable materials to construct these works of art. You don’t even realize that you are in such a small space due to the fact that they design around using light to make these spaces seem larger than they actually are. No matter if an individual, couple or family is living in the home, the idea behind this movement remains the same- the home is valued, no matter how big it is and/or how much it costs, and is not seen as a burden or stressor. It is a state of mind and therefore, there is no exact square footage that you must follow but most tiny home range from 65 sq. ft. to 850 sq. ft.
Most tiny home builders sell both the plans to build your own tiny home in addition to already assembled homes. Some to look into are: Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, Tiny House Design, and Twelve Cubed. The difficult part of the transition is working within the local building code guidelines and getting permits if applicable. Be sure to research the area you plan to build the home for regulations and most importantly loop holes. Building your tiny home according to the specifications of a travel trailer, shed, or in multi-family zones are the most advantageous as these have less strict guidelines.
Then, you must find land to put the home on. Most people rely on friends, family and friendly neighbors. Try researching alternative living friendly communities as these are more open to different types of homes and less judgmental neighbors. Campgrounds are another resource to look into.
Downsizing to a smaller home also saves on heating and cooling costs. The average tiny home owner pays about $100 a year in utilities if on the grid. Marine propane heaters, electric space heaters and wood stoves are commonly used. In addition, solar panels can be used keep the home off the grid. Saw dust composting and RV toilets with a waste tank are used in the bathroom and which one is used depends on whether you plan to be mobile.
There are many resources out there for people interested in tiny homes. Many of the tiny home builders live in tiny homes and blog about it. Tiny House compiled a listing of sites that offer invalueable information.
Some interesting resources and blogs to read are:
Tiny House Blog
Tumbleweed Tiny House Company
DIY-Prefab
The Tiny Life
RelaxShax’s Blog
Shedworking
Small House Society
Lloyd Kahn’s Blog
Project Rolling Freedom
In addition to the above resources, these companies also provide homes and plans.
Twelve3
Sonoma Shanty
Sheldon Designs
iStockHousePlans
FreeGreen.com
Yes Wee Cabins
Tiny Green Cabins
I tried to include everyone that I read about but I know there are probably more out there. Feel free to add other helpful information and sites that you like.
Be sure to check out the video featuring Jay Schafer of Tumbleweed Tiny House Company featured on Yahoo! below.
Photo Credits:
Cavco Cabin in Phoenix, AZ via Tiny House Blog
Completed Inside of Cube by Twelve3
Completed Outside of Cube by Twelve3
Tiny Texas House Rustic Farmhouse On Bear Creek
Tiny Texas House Vicky at Park Lane Guest House: Austin, TX
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Posted by Damien Cabral on Tue, Jan 12, 2010
Today everyone is concerned with what chemicals are in their food and if there is lead in their child's toys. However, there isn't as much attention paid to the
chemicals and composition of the building materials in our home. A recent start up, the
Pharos Project, seeks to change that. The Pharos Project is a network of building professionals and manufacturers committed to transparency. Pharos is a subscription based service, similar to Consumer Reports, that allows consumers to evaluate the chemical composition of building materials as well as the process used to manufacture the material. This allows consumers to be informed on the
environmental effects,
health effects, and
social benefits of building materials used in their home.
Right now Pharos offers ratings on three products: MDF-Particle Board-Wheatboard, Resilient Flooring, and Batt Insulation with plans to expand their product mix in the future. If you are interested in taking a look around sign up for the trial here or become a fan on Facebook. The Pharos project will bring more transparency to an industry that is suffering from rampant green washing. Here at Moonworks, we are anxiously awaiting the for the Pharos Project to expand their product mix and act as a resource to our homeowners across the Northeast.
Moonworks is proud to offer several green and energy efficient products including: Energy-Efficient Renewal by Andersen Replacement Windows, Blown-in Insulation, and Solar Hot Water Systems.
Posted by Damien Cabral on Wed, Nov 25, 2009
One of the most popular home improvement projects are kitchen remodels. When you think of a kitchen remodel, what first comes to mind? Of course, the new shiny counter top! Traditionally, homeowners were limited to granite, ceramic tile, and laminates for counter materials. Well now you have more options to choose from with IceStone.
IceStone is a durable surface made from 100% recycled glass and cement to create a green concrete surface. It is the first and only durable surface to receive Cradle to Cradle certification. The material can be used for backsplashes, table tops, flooring, and even commercial application. IceStone comes in a variety of colors and would look great in any home application. If you are interested in your building becoming LEED Certified, this counter top could even help you earn some LEED points!
This is truly an original and practical sustainable idea. The company definitely practices what it preaches with regards to sustainability. The factory is day lit and the manufacturing process is environmentally friendly.
Moonworks does not provide kitchen remodels but is dedicated to educating the public about all subject matter surrounding home improvement. Thanks to the GreenLifeSmartLife Blog for bringing our attention to this great building material.
Source:
IceStone