Owning a home in your 20s has become increasingly difficult with skyrocketing prices. However, a young couple from Massachusetts, Nicole and Jamie, found a solution to this problem by building their own tiny home.
Building your tiny home is the way to lower the cost!
After two years of construction, the couple moved into their 300 square feet home in April 2020, which they built completely out of pocket. This allowed them to start their lives together debt-free and begin saving for a larger home and land in the future.
The couple was inspired by the tiny house movement and designed their home with the help of Google SketchUp.
They managed to minimize build waste and stretch their budget by doing most of the work themselves.
They hired professionals for insulation, electrical work, and propane lines, but everything else was done by the couple. The exterior of the house features cedar siding and Shou Sugi Ban, a Japanese technique that helps with pest control and fire resistance.
Shou Sugi Ban, also known as Yakisugi, is a traditional Japanese technique used to finish exterior house siding by charring the surface of the wood.
This process not only provides an aesthetically unique appearance but also protects the wood from insects, rot, and fire. Here are the basic steps involved in the Shou Sugi Ban process:
1. Preparation: First, select the appropriate wood for the siding, typically cedar or other softwoods. Ensure the wood is clean and dry before starting the process.
2. Charring: Using a propane torch or other heat source, evenly char the surface of the wood until it turns black and develops a layer of charcoal. The intensity of the charring can be adjusted depending on the desired finish and texture.
3. Cooling: Allow the charred wood to cool down. This may take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on the thickness of the wood and the intensity of the charring.
4. Cleaning: Once the wood has cooled, brush off the loose soot and charcoal with a stiff-bristled brush or a wire brush. This step helps to reveal the wood grain and creates the desired texture on the surface.
5. Sealing: Apply a layer of oil or other sealant to the charred wood to protect it from moisture and further weathering. Common sealants used in Shou Sugi Ban include tung oil, linseed oil, or other natural oils.
6. Installation: Install the finished Shou Sugi Ban siding onto the exterior of the house, ensuring proper spacing and ventilation to allow the wood to expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity.
By following these steps, you can create a beautiful and durable exterior siding using the Shou Sugi Ban technique.
The interior of the tiny house is filled with clever storage solutions.
Utilizing the space under the stairs that lead to the bedroom loft allows them to store clothing and other small items. The kitchen, while small, is fully functional with a full-size sink, oven, and stove. The couple also prioritized large windows to let in natural light and take advantage of their beautiful surroundings. The bathroom is compact but practical, featuring an incinerating toilet and a spacious shower.
The entire project cost around $30,000, and the couple’s favorite part about living in a tiny house is having a home in their late twenties without any mortgage debt. This experience has given them the freedom to plan their future without the pressure of rushing into their next step.
This young couple’s tiny house journey is an inspiring example of affordable homeownership and creative problem-solving. Their home not only provides a comfortable living space but also serves as a stepping stone towards their future goals.
