Foremost, an important investment for your Washington tiny home is good insulation to keep your home comfortable in this colder climate.  We use spray foam insulation and 2×4 framing. Spray foam has by far the highest R-value available for the tiny home application, and wooden construction allows less thermal bridging than steel framing when the temperature rises. Additionally, we use LP SmartSide for a low-maintenance and durable siding that won’t warp or change with fluctuating temperatures (and which can be painted any custom color you like). We recommend the Pacific Northwest color pallet by Sherwin Williams in Coastal Plain, a beautiful and calming green perfect for the coastal living.

Another consideration for the hotter months is humidity—an important factor for a Washington tiny home. You’ll want a reliable and efficient HVAC system in your home. You may want to explore other options for dehumidifying your tiny home as well. This will work in tandem with your insulation and framing to keep the hot out and the cool in.

Also, if you’re opting for a more off-grid Washington lifestyle, investing in solar power may be a good idea. If the set-up of your Washington tiny home is permanent or semi-permanent, we recommend a ground mounted solar array. And housing the heavy batteries in a separate outbuilding will allow you to maximize your tiny home’s precious square footage.

Another key design element for Washington tiny homes is an exterior deck, especially if you’re living on the coast. Your builder should be able to assist with your overall site plan and may even be able to create a set of deck construction documents to be used for building your deck on-site.

Make sure to give special attention to your site set-up. Proper care for a tiny home in a harsh climate depends heavily on things like proper skirting, winterizing water lines, and more.