Tons of snow in downstate New York and none up here in the Champlain Valley (aka the “banana belt”).
Despite the crazy weather and lack of snow, this has allowed work to keep on progressing in the tiny house.
A lot has changed since my last tiny house update.
DIY slab wood shelves
Even though the temperatures now are above average, it was much colder earlier this month.
Jars of food and canned goods in the garage were in danger of freezing.
Time to get some shelves up in the tiny house or risk ruining this summer’s preserves.
I’ve talked probably way too much about my love of rough-sawn wood.
When I first got slab wood from the Wood Grain Sawmill in Keeseville, I just grabbed a bunch because they were free.
I figured I would find a good use for them later.
I had a few pieces that, when cut in half, made a good size shelf.
I measured various Ball jars to see what size shelf width I would need to accommodate them.
I came up with 4” for pints, 5” for quarts and 6” for ½ gallons.
With some trim work and light sanding, they turned out pretty neat.
They’re definitely in line with the style of our little rustic abode.
Lofts and ladders
You’ll be happy to know that I figured out a good way to have a ladder up to the loft that folds out of the way when not in use.
Previous to this, the only way up to the loft was using an 8 foot fiberglass ladder.
People who crave symmetry (like my wife) might want to have a ladder in the middle of the loft.
This makes sense because there is a greater amount of headroom as one climbs up the ladder.
The issue, as I explain in the video, is that for a comfortable rise, there isn’t enough length for an 8’ ladder centered on the loft.
It would have to extend beyond the front door just to unfold it.
There are probably numerous and better ways to solve this puzzle.
Mine is just one way to make it work and now that I’ve lived with it for a few weeks, it is working out very well.
I ended placing the ladder alongside the edge of the loft where it is secured on heavy duty hinges.
I also hinged the ladder at about 80” so the remaining 16” could fold up and fit the width of the house when stored.
It takes some getting used to but the additions of some “oh shit” handles near the top are very helpful at distributing your weight into the loft and off of the ladder.
The handles are screwed deep into roof rafters so they give the climber confidence and maybe build a few muscles along the way.
Being in a confined space with set parameters can be a challenge to make livable.
Tiny houses breed creativity and inspire ingenuity.
Tongue and groove flooring
Besides the wood for the frame, tongue and groove flooring was one of the first things I bought when building the tiny house frame in the garage last Winter.
I had thought I would install it earlier in the build, but that wasn’t the case.
It shows how much of a novice I am!
I’m glad I waited to put it in otherwise it would not have been in such good shape.
Because it is much lighter in color than the sub-floor, it noticeably brightens up the interior.
What’s left to do?
What remains here mostly has to do with water.
Water for a shower and a sink, as in there is a need to build these items still.
Also water, as in moisture that I wish to further extricate from the interior.
The problem that I’m finding with an air-tight house is that mine is not 100% air-tight.
When frigid air from outside finds a way in through a small leak and mixes with the hot air inside you get condensation.
Now some of the moisture was due to the interior wood which was freshly milled and needed to dry out.
It’s now much drier than it was.
What I need to do now is seal up all the little air leaks around.
One example: I know there is small gap where the main electric lines come into the house.
That’ll need some spray foam or more insulation to seal it better.
I also have a few gaps on my front door.
For my first door, it’s not too bad.
But my DIY door skills need to get better if I’m going to attempt this again.
Not so much on the door itself, but getting it to fit nicely in the jamb?
That has been a struggle that will require remediation when I can no longer live with it!
The good news is that we are warm and toasty inside.
Our little Lasko space heater is humming along at 65° F when the Sun isn’t directly heating the space up.
Thinking about doing this in my tiny house. I have two lofts and trying to find a solution for the ladders has been annoying.
We like the ladder. It has worked out well for the past few years. I don’t think it would work for everyone because it is fairly steep. Thanks for stopping by!