Ok, finally time to start back up...

Well, I'm moved into Montana now and have had some time to work on the TH finally. The weather has been not so nice, quite rainy, but it has finally relented. So, I got the walls framed out and let me tell you...figuring out angles without advanced geometry or some other type of math is hard. The good news is once you get one end wall done, you can basically copy it for the next one.

Here's a piece of advice, make sure when framing side walls that the top and bottom are the same length. What I mean is, since you have to split the bottom of the wall frame to accomodate the wheel wells, it is imperative that you ensure it is the same lenght of as the header of the wall before you put the studs in otherwise you will need to start all over fresh. Measure twice cut once.

Up next...roof joists. I have already begun experimenting on cutting the birdsmouths out of joists but that is not as easy as it sounds, I'm sure there is a tool I need or something. Also I have begun putting up some wall sheathing. But that's all in the next edition.

Quick post

So, at the end of the week I will be moving to the great state of Montana. I had planned on getting the TH walls, roof, and sheathing up before the move but between the weather in previous weeks and other obligations I put construction on hold until I got to montana. As soon as I'm there it will be full speed ahead. I'll keep you all posted.

It would make a great dance floor...

...but I have bigger plans for it.

I have finished the floor, I used 1/2 inch OSB (oriented strand board) in two layers. The first layer was secured to the floor joists with screws every six inches and Liquid Nails. In this layer each board was placed left to right on the trailer. The second layer boards were placed perpindicular to the first layer so none of the joints matched up to prevent them from coming up.

Here is a close up image of both layers. The second layer was also secured with screws every six inches and Liquid Nails. You could use thicker OSB and make just one layer but my building inexperience led me to buy all 1/2 inch boards so some friends told me of this alternative method.

I am currently faming out the two end walls. These are probably the most difficult walls for the inexperienced because of all the angles, but once the first one is built the second goes much faster. I will post some pics and descriptions when they're finished, but until then I will leave one last picture. I saw this on a 2x4 while framing and thought it was a good sign. Have a nice day all.

And now for something a bit more...insulated

After securing the floor joists I added foam insulation between the joists. This step is pretty easy you can basically score the foam and then snap it. This particular foam is a bit more expensive than the white foam but it has a higher R-value (12.9 @2 inches). Then I sealed the edges with expandable foam (it's called Great Stuff) hopefully this is enough because Bozeman gets really cold in the winter.

It's like a poncho, for the bottom of the house

Before securing the floor joists to the trailer I slipped a vapor barrier (thick plastic sheet) between the joists and trailer.

Next, I attached the joists down to the trailer with 20 of these brackets.

Plans

I've been rather busy the past week so construction on the TH has been slow. Since I haven't posted in a bit I figured I'd show you all what the TH should look like when completed. I chose to work with this design for a few reasons. The first reason is that they were free. Cha-Ching! Secondly and most importantly, they look amazing. These plans were put together by Michael Janzen at tinyhousedesign.com, and he generously made them free for all to use. Thanks Michael!

Totally floored (I'm so clever)

Next on the agenda? Framing out the flooring. As you can see in this first picture, I removed a small plank from the deck and spread the other planks out in 3 different spots to allow for easier access when i lag bolt the walls to the trailer.

Then the framing begins, this part is pretty self explanatory. I nailed all the wood together with single nails to hold it all in place then I screwed everything together. Next up, securing the floor to the deck, followed by insulation and OSB.

Totally screwed

So, the decking that came with my trailer didn't come screwed to the trailer itself. My task today was to alleviate that problem in order to connect the floor framing to the trailer. These screws are what I used. They are called drill screws and maybe a couple of other things.

What they do is connect wood to metal, if you can see in the picture, there are little wings or tabs which bore out the wood and then the screw self drills into the metal once the tabs hit metal they shear off and finally that little notch visible in the image taps threads into the metal and tada wood secured to metal. These particular ones were about $6 for 15 screws, not cheap, but well worth it in the long run.

These are really nice and quite difficult to install, drilling a pilot hole (even a small one) makes the process quicker and easier. But in the end your TH will be far more secure because of these little guys.

Lumber time

Just picked up my first load of lumber and probably the last load until it moves. If my figurings are correct this will be enough to finish the shell of the TH (the descriptor "tiny house" will be replaced with TH from now on.)

Quick note to anyone planning on building one of these (or anything at that)...buy your lumber from a lumber yard, they do all the work and usually are competetive with Lowes or HD price-wise.

I was going to begin some construction today but after unloading the lumber and getting all my tools set up, I was beat. Also, I have a show tonight so don't want to start something I can't finish.

Another post so soon?

Phase one of this project has already been completed. The purchase of a trailer which will be the foundation of my tiny house. It's a 7'x16' trailer with dual 3500lb axles (making this a 7000lb trailer) electric brakes and some serious Mojo, it's first image reveals it's true nature, note it's halo. Or is that just a lense flare? Either way this is destined to seriously rock! So hold onto your socks people.

YO YO People!

Welcome! To my first blog post ever, after much deliberation and debate and 3 year hiatus from college I Adam Waltering of Spokane WA have decided to return to college. Yay me, but this is expensive and I am 27 and Architecture school is like 6 years and thats after I gain Montana residency and how will I maintain my current comfortable lifestyle.....urrrrrrrrch. Slow down Adam there is a simple solution. What's that you ask? Tiny house. What's a tiny house? Well its a house that is tiny, usually built on a trailer, and well the words "tiny" and "house" pretty much sum it up.

This blog will document the process of the build of my tiny house and hopefully serve as inspiration to anyone else wishing to make a drastic life-change but feel it's too daunting a task. I am lazy and difficult to self motivate outside a job setting, so this project is just what I need to get the old blood a flowin...let the games begin!