As the name suggests, tiny houses are, quite simply, small houses. However, there’s much more to the tiny house movement than building properties smaller than the average home; these buildings are actually part of a social, political and environmental movement that’s taken the world by storm.
The tiny house movement is fascinating for a variety of reasons, and not just because of the architectural novelty of constructing a small home. Here we discuss everything you need to know about tiny houses, including some of the reasons why they’re so interesting.
How small are tiny houses?
How small is a tiny house? This depends on the design, location and number of people living in the house, but as a general rule, they’re less than 400 square foot. When you consider that the average UK house is approximately 1000 square foot, it puts into perspective just how small these tiny homes really are.
Where are tiny houses built?
While many countries across the world have constructed tiny houses for years, the first official movement originated in the United States. Some of the first tiny homes were built with wheels, allowing homeowners to move their property from A to B, however, many are now built with foundations to allow a more permanent structure. They’re now popular across the world, but especially in Britain, Germany and New Zealand.
Why are they built?
So, what’s the point of living in a tiny home? There are many reasons, as we’ll discuss here:
Combat materialism
Today, more and more people are trying to live with less. As we become more and more aware of consumerism and the effects of advertising on our wellbeing, it’s no surprise that many individuals are trying to reduce the number of belongings they rely on. Tiny houses give people the opportunity to downsize and only purchase what they need to get by.
Be kind to the planet
Smaller houses mean using less land and less energy, so it’s no surprise that eco-friendly homeowners are attracted to the tiny house movement. Living in a small house means you’ll need less electricity, gas and water to maintain it, which is ideal at a time where sustainability is an essential quality of all new builds.
Tackle homelessness
Homelessness is something that affects people in countries across the world, yet is an issue that can be difficult for governments to tackle efficiently. This is one of the reasons why small homes were constructed initially, as they’re much more time and cost-effective to build than permanent housing. They provide shelter quickly and cheaply, giving people in need a roof over their heads.
Do they require foundations?
It’s a common misconception that tiny homes don’t need foundations due to their size, but this isn’t the case. Unless the home is built on wheels, a solid foundation is necessary to ensure they stay structurally sound as long as traditional homes. The foundation you opt for will depend on the size and location of your home, but common types for tiny houses include slab foundations, basement foundations and crawlspace foundations.
As piling specialists, we at 118 Foundations find all types of construction fascinating, including tiny houses. Based in Whitworth, we specialise in piling and foundation solutions for new builds and extensions in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and beyond. For highly competitive prices and top-quality foundation services, look no further than 118 Foundations. Get in touch to discuss your requirements with our team of specialists today.