Tiny House Handbook

CHARLIE WING, PHD, is a nationally recognized authority on home building and remodeling, home repair, energy conservation and boating. He specializes in translating and illustrating technical information into easily understood layman's terms. He cofounded the nation's first two owner-builder schools, developed the first DOE-approved computerized home energy audit, and wrote and hosted the national PBS TV series, Housewarming with Charlie Wing.

"This thought provoking book is a great resource for anyone considering joining the tiny house movement.??It's all the information you need in one book!??The author has done a phenomenal job blending real world experience, data and practical knowledge on all types of tiny homes."—Corinne Watson, Principle and Co-Founder, Tiny Homes of Maine "Charlie Wing's very readable Tiny House Handbook leads you through the processes of designing and building a tiny home, with careful attention to all the details, including legal issues, cost estimates, material utilization and foundation options. Charlie is a master at demystifying the seemingly complex process of homebuilding. This book will help you live both comfortably and lighter on the land."—John S. Crowley, CEO of FACET and Board member, Build It Green

• Introduction xiAcknowledgments xiiThe Author xiiiAuthor’s Note xivChapter 1. Tiny Houses 1A Tiny House at Walden Pond 2What Is a Tiny House? 4How Big Is Big Enough? 6New Life for an Old Idea: The ADU 7Chapter 2. Legal Aspects 9Zoning and Building Codes 10IRC Appendix Q 13Highway Width & Height Limits 15Chapter 3. Costs 17Building Cost Breakdown 18Savings by Doing It Yourself 19Square Foot Construction Cost 20Total Construction Cost 21Big Added Cost: The Site 22More Added Costs: Site Services 23Added Costs: Impact Fees? 24Chapter 4. Design 25The Process 26The Program 27Activity Space Analysis 28Space Bubbles 30Squaring Up the Bubbles 32A Few Critical Dimensions 34Furniture and Appliances 36Furnishings for Tiny Spaces 38Designing the Exterior 42Visual Element Variations 44Chapter 5. Some Floor Plans 47On Wheels 8 × 16 48On Wheels 8 × 20 50On Wheels 8 × 24 52On Wheels 8 × 30 53On Skids 12 × 16 54On Skids 12 × 20 56On Skids 12 × 24 58On Skids 12 × 28 60Site-Built 12 × 20 62Site-Built 20 × 26 63Site-Built 20 × 32 64Site-Built 14 × 28 65Site-Built 16 × 24 66Site-Built 20 × 28 67Site-Built 20 × 20 68Chapter 6. Drawing Plans 69Drafting Tools 70Drawing Lines 72Dimensioning 74Using Templates 75Formatting the Page 76Chapter 7. A Set of Plans 77The Set 78Site Plan 80Floor Plan 81Two Foundation Options 82Two Floor Framing Options 83N/S Wall Framing 84E/W Wall Framing 85Roof Framing 86Elevations 87Typical Section 88Electrical Plan 89Plumbing Plan 90Chapter 8. Foundations 91Forces Due to Wind 92Anchoring Homes on Wheels 94Anchoring Homes on Skids 95Pole Foundation 96Slab on Grade 97Masonry Crawl Space 98Full Basement (South) 99Full Basement (North) 100Chapter 9. Framing 101Forces on a House Frame 102How Beams Support Loads 104Beams: Natural & Manufactured 105Framing Floors 106Span Tables for Floor Joists 110Framing Walls 112Framing Roofs 116Span Tables for Rafters 118Span Table for Ridge Beams 120Chapter 10. Sheathing 121Sheathing Materials 122Floor Sheathing 124Wall Sheathing 126Roof Sheathing 127T&G Roof Sheathing 128Chapter 11. Siding 129Cedar Shingle Siding 130Horizontal Lap Siding 132Plywood Panel Siding 134Vinyl Siding 136Chapter 12. Roofing 141Roofing Materials 142Roof Edge Details 143Roll Roofing (Selvage) 144Double Coverage Roofing 145Asphalt Shingles 146Cedar Shingles 148Metal Panel Roofing 150EPDM (Rubber) Roofing 152Chapter 13. Lofts & Stairs 153Loft Headroom 154Loft Access 155Stairways 156Ladders 159Alternating-Tread Devices 160Ships Ladders 161Handrails 162Chapter 14. Windows & Doors 163Window Types 164Sizing Windows 165Window Energy Efficiency 166Egress Windows 168Natural Daylighting 169Ventilation 170The View Looking Out 171Installing Windows 172About Doors 174Energy Efficiency of Doors 175Installing Prehung Doors 176Chapter 15. Insulation 179Insulation and R-Value 180Floor Insulation Options 182Wall Insulation Options 184Roof Insulation Options 186Chapter 16. Wiring 189The AC Electrical Circuit 190110 VAC & 220 VAC Circuits 191Electrical Wire & Cable 192Service Drops & Entrances 193Circuits Required by Code 194An Example Wiring Plan 195The Distribution Panel 196Accessory Dwelling Feeds 198Running Cables 200The Most Common Circuits 201Going Off the Grid 202PV Panel Shading 204Estimating Your Usage 205Sizing the System 206Example Off-the-Grid System 207Chapter 17. Plumbing 209Supply System 210Drain, Waste, & Vent System 212Roughing in the Pipes 214Traps & Venting 216The Gray Waste Alternative 218Chapter 18. Heating 221Estimating Heat Loss 222Heat Loss Example 226Heating Cost 227Choosing Your Heat Source 228Chapter 19. Cooling 231What Determines Comfort? 232Natural Cooling 233Ceiling Fans 234Window Box Fans 236Evaporative Coolers 238Air Conditioners 239Sizing Air Conditioners 240AC Sizing Example 242Further Information 245Index 247