Q&A: How Do You Design Tiny Houses for Cold Climates?

Reset A− A+ This question comes from Kathy J. D. who wants to know about tiny houses for cold climates.

So if you’re interested in designing and building a tiny home for somewhere really cold…

This page is going to give you a good idea on how you’d be able to do that with some basic design and build tips.

Question: Do Tiny Houses for Cold Climates Exist?

And…

Is it Even Possible to Live Tiny in Harsh Cold Winters?

From: Kathy J. D. (thanks Kathy!)

“Hi, I enjoy your postings. I want to have a tiny house someday on land in northern Michigan. I’ve noticed that most of the tiny houses featured are in the south or the Pacific northwest, milder climates than we have here. I was wondering if you’ve come across anybody who lives in a tiny house in a harsh winter climate and how they heat their house, especially if they use a small electric space heater, if that’s possible, and how much that costs. I also wonder if tiny houses would be designed differently for long cold winters, like not so many big windows and skylights or a double door entryway so all the cold doesn’t get in every time you open the door, things like that.”

Kathy thank you so much! This is a great question and you are not the only person who has wondered the same thing.

So continue reading because I’m going to show you the pros and cons of living tiny in the cold.

Along with absolutely crucial suggestions on how to ensure you stay warm and safe all winter long in a tiny home (or any home, really).

Tips for Designing, Building, Living Tiny and Staying Warm in Harsh Cold Climates

• Add as much insulation as you can to your flooring, walls, and roof when you build.
• Since heat rises consider putting extra insulation in your roof.
• Use water resistant caulk around the cracks of all of your windows and doors.
• Make your windows air tight for winter season (see 1st video below).
• Ensure that your heat source is properly maintained and serviced.
• Use radiant heating in your floors when building your house.
• Invest in double-pane windows.
• Wrap your pipes, water hose and plumbing with heat tape, pipe wrap, and/or foam insulation.
• Wrap a heating pad around your water pump.
• If you have a ceiling fan, reverse its direction to circulate more warm air.
• Eat warm foods.
• Dress warm.
• Add extra blankets to your bed.
• Be sure to have a carbon monoxide detector in your home.

How to Make your Windows and Doors Air Tight for Winter

More Tips to Help You Prepare for Harsh Winters

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Foundation Homes

This video is dedicated to owners of foundation homes but there are many tips in here that are also relevant and helpful.

RV Living in the Winter

This video shows you how to find heat tape for your pipes and how to prevent your water hose from freezing. Very helpful and potentially life saving info here for you if you’re living tiny during the winter.

Useful Items for Winters in your Micro Cabin

• Pipe Heating Cable
• Adjustable Water Regulator
• 10,000 BTU Vent-Free LP-Gas Vent-Free Wall Heater
• Water Resistant Caulk
• Carbon Monoxide Detector
• Heat Tape
• Pipe Wrap
• Foam Insulation
• Heating Pads

Warning: Consult a professional to help you design and build a tiny house that can handle harsh winters. Your safety is of upmost importance.

People Living Tiny in Cold Areas And Other Helpful Articles

• Tiny Homes in Extreme Weather? Chris & Malissa’s Tiny House
• Passive Solar Design
• Tiny House Ontario
• Chris & Malissa
• Tammy (author of You Can Be Happy And It’s Cheap) & Logan
• Dee Williams (author of The Big Tiny)
• Jane Dwinell (author of Freedom Through Frugality)

Do YOU Have Any Tips for Living Tiny in Harsh Climates?

I hope this has helped answer some of your questions regarding living in a tiny home in a harsh winter climate.

Do you have any suggestions and tips from your experience on properly winterizing a tiny home for winter? Please share in the comments below.

If you enjoyed this Q&A there’s more here and you’ll also love our free daily tiny house newsletter with even more tiny housing goodness!

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Alex

Alex Pino is the founder of Tiny House Talk, a leading resource on tiny homes and simple living since 2009. He helps readers discover unique homes, connect with builders, and explore alternative living.

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