A tiny home can be a great opportunity to pursue a simpler lifestyle. But how long do they last, and are they reliable properties for future generations of homeowners should you decide to sell? The answer to both these questions is that it really depends on your approach to building and maintaining the property.
o achieve longevity, you’ll effectively need to take steps to future-proof it. This means making design choices and protective plans that ensure it’s still a robust and relevant living space no matter how long people are occupying it. It can be challenging, but let’s look at a few key areas of focus to get you started.
Design for Change
The first thing to remember when future-proofing tiny homes is that — like regular-sized homes — tastes and needs change over time. This doesn’t just occur whenever the tiny home is sold to a new owner. Each occupant may want to make changes throughout their lifecycle with the property as their needs develop. By designing your tiny home from the outset to be agile enough to adapt to change, you can build a property that is not just great for you but also an attractive prospect for future buyers who’ll want to put their stamp on it.
This begins by avoiding putting too many static features into the tiny home. For instance, a fireplace might seem like a nice and cozy element now, but this isn’t to everyone’s tastes — particularly as people become more environmentally conscious. Kitchens and bathrooms are understandably permanent to an extent. But aside from these, it’s wise to avoid dictating the long-term role of any space in the tiny home.
Another way to make your tiny home fit for change is to take a modular approach. Rather than having fully fixed internal walls, you can install movable partition walls or sliding privacy panels. This enables the occupant to have a freer choice in how large each room is and the home’s layout. For instance, a large living room space can be good for when you have company, but you can then use the partition to divide it into separate entertaining and home office areas. The easier you can make it to adjust the layout, the more options occupants have available.
Incorporating Smart Materials
The materials your tiny home is made from can make a significant difference to its long-term resilience. Increasingly, smart materials are being recognized as effective tools to boost everything from structural integrity to energy efficiency. This is because the materials have tech embedded in them or are made using advanced scientific techniques that make them more responsive to environmental conditions. Some examples of smart materials and how they’re used include:
- Thermochromic glass: One of the most common smart materials being used in homes at the moment is thermochromic glass for windows. It automatically alters its transparency in line with changes in temperature, this controls the amount of heat and light that enters the property. By blocking sunlight on hot days and letting in more on cooler ones, the glass minimizes unnecessary use of heating and air conditioning systems.
- Self-healing concrete: Over time, tiny homes made from concrete can get cracks. This is particularly common if the home is in an area subjected to earthquakes or fluctuations of extreme temperature. Smart self-healing concrete is an innovative material that repairs its own cracks with embedded microorganisms or responsive chemicals. As a result, the property needs less maintenance and is less susceptible to damage.
To minimize expense and maximize impact, it’s important to select materials that are relevant to the property’s location. For example, self-healing concrete may not be a solid investment if the tiny home isn’t likely to be subjected to environmental punishment. By getting a good understanding of the environmental challenges your home can face, you can make more informed decisions. The National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) disaster mapping tool can be a good source of information here.
Staying on Top of Maintenance
Once the tiny home has been designed and built, you’ll need to adopt regular maintenance routines. This doesn’t just keep the property in good condition and enable you to spot issues early enough to fix them. It’s also a chance to review whether the features are outdated and upgrade them gradually in ways that make the home liveable for you and attractive to potential buyers.
Some of the key areas to maintain include:
Plumbing
There are a range of plumbing issues that can affect the quality of water in your tiny home. For instance, yellowish tap water and a heavy metallic taste can be signs of water heater corrosion, indicating that it’s time to replace the anode rod. Low water pressure can suggest a leak in your pipes. Be proactive in addressing such issues as soon as possible. Every couple of years, getting a plumber to perform a full inspection can give you professional insights into potential problems.
Roofing
Roof damage—from displaced tiles to cracks in the shingle—can cause serious leaks. This not only causes water damage but may also lead to the spread of mold. Given the size of tiny homes, a minor issue can quickly cause damage throughout the property. Therefore, it’s important to perform an inspection on your roof for signs of damage at least once a year. It’s also wise to check the roof following extreme wind and storms. Remember to keep gutters clear to prevent water from sitting on the surface, causing deterioration and attracting pests.
Conclusion
By future-proofing your tiny home, you can make it a more resilient and pleasant space to live in for generations to come. This should include design choices that leave room for adaptation and regular maintenance routines, among other strategies. Remember, too, that construction is constantly changing. New materials and technologies are emerging all the time. By keeping abreast of what you can incorporate into your property, you can optimize its value as an investment and—most importantly—a great home.
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