Roof
My brother recently came back out to my dad’s and tried to finish the roof but we ended up being short two pieces of the gable rake and some screws. I put an order in for the last of it so that will only take a few hours to wrap up once it arrives (and my brother makes it back out there).
Windows
The windows were delivered and have been installed. They still have some protective wrapping on them which can be seen in some of the pictures if you were wondering.
Front Door
The front door was just ordered so we are waiting on that. We won’t be able to finish any more siding on the back of the trailer (front of the house) until that gets installed.
Interior Siding
About half of the interior siding has been installed. The Florida humidity is giving my dad a hard time right now as the wood that the siding is made from is very porous and thus easily grows and shrinks with the weather. Its tongue and groove so if it shrinks after it is installed it’s not that give of a deal (the tongue and groove prevent you from seeing any spaces between the boards when it shrinks), but if it grows after it is installed then it wants to pop off the walls (not good). So he is leaving some of the wood out in the open (in the house) to expand before he puts it up.
Exterior Siding
Both long sides of the house are practically done. He can’t begin on the short ends until the roof is done (in addition to the front door going in) since the scaffolding is attached to the house there. The siding is stained before it is installed so that you don’t see any unstained strips in the event that the wood contracts after being installed. I have only been able to see the house in pictures but my brother says he loves it and it feels really cozy.
I’m really looking forward to going back down there in a couple months.
Plans
I’ve just put the finishing touches on the plans and the wiring diagram for this house. I still need to complete the materials list and the build manual before I release them but I’m optimistically shooting for August 1st. Then I will start updating the first set of plans and materials list. I will also start selling the manual separately for people who want to see what goes into building a tiny house but haven’t quite decided on a set of plans.
So exciting to see your progress! Can’t wait to get the latest and greatest plans – We are in the final stages of the sliding glass door version we are working on, and can keep you posted if that’s of interest.
you guys are so inspiring!
Definitely keep me posted. I’m excited for you and would love to see your progress.
Dan,
Your design is the only one I’ve seen that even comes close to the Protohaus design that I absolutely LOVE!! I am currently saving to purchase a tiny house of my own and I wanted to know what dimensions are your houses? I would like to have an 8′ X24′ home with a porch (kinda like the Protohaus but with a storage loft over the porch, sawdust toilet, and insulation in the storage bay on the end so that the on-demand water heater lines don’t freeze in the winter- I’m in PA). Please contact me so that we can discuss it further.
Appreciate your efforts in the tiny house movement,
Anne
I love the Protohaus too! It was my inspiration for the dormers in my design. The two houses I’ve built are both 8′ x 20′ but I believe a 24′ trailer is still pretty reasonable for towing.
Thanks
Dan
It’s looking great. Here in the Arizona desert, we have the opposite trouble with wood. It shrinks so much that it can hardly be used. It also warps and twists so badly. If I built a house here, I’d drywall the interior and maybe use that hardiboard? siding available so readily at Home Depot. I love the wood but it just doesn’t work so well here.
Drywall and Hardieboard make for a heavy combination. Although if the house wasn’t built on a trailer that wouldn’t be an issue.
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Your progress looks great! I have been researching “tiny houses” for over a year. About 6 months ago, my wife and I decided it was for us, and we want to do it! We have continued to but up against a block wall ever since. Due to family commitments, we need to stay in this area, on land we want to own. We have continued to “fight city hall”, the county, the twp. zoning commissions etc.
Nobody will permit the construction of a house smaller than 1,200 square feet. We wanted to build a 400 sq. ft “cottage” on a foundation. I am just about ready to give up! HELP!! Any suggestions?
Tim and Leslie
That is the whole reason tiny houses are built on trailers, to bypass zoning. Code inspectors came out and inspected my moms tiny house and she is still living in it.
I don’t think you would have any issues especially if your house is out of view. You are allowed to park a trailer on your property.
Dan