Page 36 - Green Builder November-December 2018 Issue

CHAPTER 04

THE BUILDING

SCIENCE OF SMALL

Putting readily available commercial systems to

work in the Tiny House arena could raise the bar on

strength and efficiency.

Light top. Aluminum
roofing is just one
material that can reduce
tiny house weight.

PHOTO: TINYHOUSEROOF.COM

ARE LIGHTER, CODECOMPLIANT TINY HOMES VIABLE?

We believe the answer is yes, with the right combination of products and engineering.

CAN TINY HOMES BE CONSTRUCTED TO SITEBUILT STANDARDS at half the weigh (https://bit.ly/2Qy3NmU) about 0.7 pounds per square foot, or
weight? The key is to look at the biggest weight offenders first: framing, roofing, 112 pounds. Installed properly, both materials can meet stringent building
sheathing, insulation and siding. Whittle down the pounds from there. codes.
For one example, asphalt modified shingles weigh about 3 pounds per Then there’s the steel framing alternative (see sidebar, page 37). The goal
square foot. A 160-square-foot tiny house shed roof might weigh 480 is to drop a tiny home’s weight below 6,000 pounds, which is often the limit
pounds. By comparison, 16-gauge aluminum standing seam metal roofs for standard pickup truck towing.

34 GREEN BUILDER November/December 2018 www.greenbuildermedia.com

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