I made a model!

For the past few months, I've dabbled in trying to learn SketchUp, a popular 3D modeling software used by many tiny housers to design their homes. I usually got frustrated because I tried to go into too much detail too soon; after all, I knew what I wanted the details to be--why can't I just get the [expletive] [expletive] program to [expletive] just [expletive] do it?!

Well, today I decided to keep it simple and just make a box to try out some ideas for the siding and roofing. I didn't attempt the roof overhang, wheel wells, trailer tongue, trim, or other little details.

And... I still seriously screwed it up and had to [expletive] [expletive] redo the whole [expletive].....

Anyhow.

Design Thoughts and Updates: Siding, Roofing, and More

Good news, everyone! I heard back from the structural insulated panel manufacturer! It turns out the file format of the plans I sent to him were not openable or something. Drat. I reformatted and re-sent them, but before I re-sent them, I realized that I needed to change a thing or two. Which bring me to the topic of today's post!

I've made some minor changes to my design since I started the blog. I switched plans from a 24"x32" RV bathtub to a standard 32"x32" shower pan. I discovered the possibility of using a fold-away pot filler faucet in the shower stall to serve as a sinkless hand-washing station, rather than a fixed faucet that might get in the way when I'm showering or not reach far enough when I'm using it. I decided that it would be okay for my required 4'6" of bed alcove headroom to be measured between the loft joists, rather than under them--a decision that adds 5.5" to the headroom upstairs, in the loft. I figured out how to hang joists on a SIP wall without interrupting the SIP, by screwing or bolting a rim track made of 2x lumber flat against the interior side of the SIP and hanging the joists with joist hangers from it. And I learned a lot about plumbing and electrical work thanks to a visit to the local library's nonfiction section.

Some of my other design considerations are more of a quandary... or are at least more interesting to discuss.

For example, I wrote an entire post about my electrical system design! But since that might be of limited general interest, here are a few of the more aesthetically-minded design updates.

Designing the Electrical System

Designing a tiny house involves tackling tons and tons of semi-separate, interlocking design problems (in the sense of "math problem," rather than problem problems). One problem that I've been wrestling with lately is electricity. Oversimplified, the big question is just a binary:

Do I need 30 amp or 50 amp electrical service?

But it's tricky. I'm learning a lot about electricity and wiring these days, but I'm still working on this one. Today I sat down and calculated the total wattage and amperage of all the electrical appliances I plan to have to determine whether I need a 50 amp RV electrical hookup, or if I can make do with 30 amps.

In case that's as opaque a concept to you as it was to me a few weeks ago, here are some electricity basics:

A Letter from the Trenches of Materialism

Today was a good day. Today I felt proud and confident of my decision to scale down and pursue a minimalistic, tiny house lifestyle. Today I reaffirmed my commitment to detaching myself from material possessions and living a more mindful life.

Today I helped my 92-year-old great-aunt move.

I grew up across the alley from my great-aunt--whom I call Auntie--and her house was always a second home to myself, my siblings, and even our family pets. A former children's librarian, her wit, intellectual curiosity, and freedom of self-expression made her a role model for me. She still is. She's the kind of person you almost can't help but love.

But like everyone, Auntie has her flaws, and I spent most of today mired in the fruits of one of them: her stuff. She is incredibly materialistic. 

Floor Box - Day 20 - FLOOR BOX RECAP

(2.5 hrs)

The floor box and subfloor are FINISHED! We screwed and glued the last three pieces of subfloor plywood today.

The next step is to add the walls. Since I'm using SIPs--structural insulated panels, a prefabricated wall panel system--the wall installation is kind of out of my hands for the moment. I contacted the local SIP manufacturer a couple of weeks ago and they promptly replied promising to get back to me with a price quote, but I have not heard from them since. Once I get the quote and get some answers to my design/building questions (e.g. What kind of splines do I need? Is there anything I need to do to "hurricane"- and "earthquake"-proof a SIP structure? Do I need a double top plate?), I will place my order. But then it could take a month or more for them to fabricate my panels and deliver them... I really don't know at this point.

So I wait.

Floor Box - Day 19

(3.5 hrs)

Today we installed two more pieces of subfloor plywood (it's halfway done now), roughed in the sink and shower drain lines, and finished the floor insulation.

It sounds so easy when I condense it down to one sentence! The full story after the jump...

Floor Box - Day 18

(2.5 hrs)

Now things are happening! Today I busted out the Roxul rock wool insulation and started installing it in the Tyvek-lined bays of the floor. I thought it would take a longer time than it did; the rock wool was quite quick and easy to work with.

As a reminder, rock wool is made principally from slag--waste rock--from the steel industry. It is melted down and blown or spun into tiny filaments, then pressed into insulating batts (i.e., soft, wooly, but cohesive rectangles of material, like felt). Fiberglass is the only other common type of insulation that comes in batts, and it has a terrible reputation for being nasty, noxious stuff that will irritate your skin, lungs, and every mucous membrane it touches. Rock wool is pretty lovely, in comparison, so I don't think I strictly needed to wear long sleeves, gloves, and a mask... but it was a little dusty, and I was feeling sensitive, so I did.