Tiny house owners have unique issues that traditional house owners don’t have to deal with, especially during chilly weather. However, your tiny home can be warm and cozy this winter if you implement a few essentials during the building phase. The established builders offering cabin on wheels for sale winterize the homes for optimal functioning to make the building winter-ready. Preparing the tiny house for winter will not take much time, but it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Smart insulation, high-end propane appliances, and winterizing the plumbing are crucial to keeping the tiny home functioning throughout the winter season. Keep reading to learn more about keeping the tiny home warm and functioning in winter amidst the freezing temperatures.
Consider R-value
Builders all over the USA and Canada offer excellent insulation options ranging from material composition to overall R-value. The R-value rating is the ability of the tiny home to keep the house well-insulated. The most typical insulation recommended is around R-18, while spray foam insulation can be around R-31, which might seem to be more ideal. Depending on your location, climate, and severity of weather exposure, the builders decide on the insulation. Book an appointment with the most established builders via TinyHouseMe to start without delay.
Roof construction and materials
A good builder can do an outstanding job in framing a tiny house. The roof must be sturdy to hold snow loads without heat loss or leakage. Many builders prefer roofing materials like an ice-and-rain underlayment to prevent moisture seepage through tiny holes inside the corrugated roofs into the insulated ceiling. However, proper ventilation is also necessary, which brings us to the next point.
Humidity control – Venting
When it gets colder, the humidity rises inside the tiny home. Without venting, the blinds of the windows will capture the cold air and freeze it against the window. A dehumidifier is a good choice, but having vents at the top is necessary. Lunos e2 is great for compact and efficient ventilation to retain heat and send moisture out.
Insulate the windows
Covering the windows with solar shades or a heavy drape offers protection against the cold climate. Although most tiny homes already have double-pane windows, living in a chronically cold climate requires choosing a triple-paned one.
Skirting
Skirting is a barrier to the cold and wind entering your home through the floor. Skirting is an insulation material tucked around the floor of the tiny home for reducing the cold winds flowing under the structure and thereby increasing heat efficiency. As a result, skirting can reduce heat bills to a great extent.
Propane tanks
Tiny homeowners use propane tanks for heating and cooking. As the tanks get cold, the pressure inside decreases, affecting propane pressure in appliances. You can keep the tanks warm by covering them with propane blankets to maintain an ideal temperature for ensuring optimal pressure.
Pipe wrap or Heat the Hose
You must get heat tape to wrap the pipes and prevent freezing. The heat tape wrapped around the source hose is a great idea. Insulating the hot water pipes prevents freezing and raises the water’s temperature. A professional will do the job better, but the cost depends upon the scope of the task and your geographic location. However, if you are not interested in pipe wraps, heating the hose is great to ensure the lines are open and unfrozen. Keep in mind that any kind of heating can raise your utility bills.
Holding tanks
Winterize the gray and black water holding tanks to protect them from the cold freezing temperatures. Some use a heat lamp under the water tanks as a good way to protect the tanks from freezing. When the temperature drops, consider how to drain the water and if you are digging a drainage line, plan to dig below the permafrost line.
Cover your tires
If you are purchasing the cabin on wheels for sale, cover the tires with a weather-resistant material to prevent dry rotting from exposure to the cold weather.
Get an emergency generator
Power outages in winter can make living in a tiny home difficult. You need a backup generator to run all appliances and keep the home warm and well-lit.
Final Words
The beauty of a cabin on wheels is its ability to have all your belongings in order and move to whichever locale you want. You can now enjoy the adventure and beauty that the snow and winter offer as everything is planned and your home construction preparation adheres to the climate and conditions. Talk to the established builders today for a customized tiny home. Connect via TinyHouseMe for faster response.
