What is a Tiny Home? 🏡✨

Thinking Tiny? Let's Dive Into the World of Tiny Homes with Wandering Tiny Homes!

Hey everyone, welcome to the Wandering Tiny Homes blog! Tim and Vii here. Today, we wanted to tackle a question we always get: What exactly is a tiny home? With so many different types out there, getting a little lost is easy, so let's clear things up!

What Qualifies as "Tiny"?

For zoning purposes, a tiny home is one that is under 400 square feet of living space. However, when most people think of a tiny home, they might envision something under 1,200 square feet. Here at Wandering Tiny Homes, we typically wouldn't classify anything above 400 square feet as a tiny home.

Wheels or Skids?

We primarily offer two types of models:  Tiny Homes on Wheels (THOWs) and Skid-Based Homes.

Tiny Homes on Wheels (THOWs): THOWs are built on specially manufactured trailers for tiny home construction. Our standard models are 28 feet long and 8 feet wide. It's important to understand that not just any trailer will do. People used old flatbed trailers early on, but the industry has evolved. Our trailers have metal floor joists every 16 inches, similar to a traditional foundation. They're also built to handle the weight of construction materials and feature specially designed axles rated for 7,000 pounds each on a three-axle trailer. This criterion ensures safety and longevity, and as members of NOAH, our trailers undergo inspection to meet the code. So, unlike some makeshift setups, our tiny homes on wheels are built with a robust and certified foundation.

Skid-Based Homes: These are built in the same facility as our wheeled models but don't have wheels. They are delivered on a flatbed trailer and then slid onto your prepared pad or foundation.

Why Choose Tiny Living? The Motivations Are Many!

We've seen many reasons why people are drawn to tiny living. For many, it comes down to affordability. With the cost of traditional housing skyrocketing—that $165,000 home from the early 2000s now costs upwards of $420,000 in 2024—tiny homes offer a more economically doable path to homeownership and financial freedom4. This allows you to have more of your finances available for experiences and other life goals.

Beyond finances, many are looking to simplify their lives. They want to focus on experiences rather than material possessions. The flexibility of a tiny house on wheels is also a major draw, allowing people to move locations more easily than with a traditional home. You get the benefit of a structure built like a house without the permanent commitment of a foundation.

Busting the Myths: Tiny Home vs. RV

One common misconception is that tiny homes are just "glorified RVs."

This comparison couldn't be further from the truth. While a tiny house on wheels has wheels, that's often where the similarities end. Tiny homes share far more in common with traditionally built houses. They use similar construction materials like wood framing, steel reinforcement, and insulation. We use spray foam insulation for its sealing properties. You can even have metal roofing.

On the other hand, RVs are typically built with lightweight materials for easier towing and tend to depreciate quickly due to the wear and tear on their engine and transmission. The quality of materials in a tiny home is generally much higher than in an RV.

DIY or Buy? That is the Question.

The tiny house movement initially stemmed from people wanting to simplify their lives and build tiny homes. If you have the skills and time, creating a tiny home is an option.

However, it's a significant investment of time and materials. For those without the time or specific skill sets, purchasing from a company like Wandering Tiny Homes offers quality assurance and peace of mind. We work with NOAH and go through five inspection phases to ensure the longevity and quality of our homes. This certification guarantees that your tiny home is safe and built to last.

The Versatile World of Tiny Living

The uses for tiny homes are genuinely limitless. We've seen people use them as temporary housing while building larger homes, in-law suites, home offices, or even as a mobile home base for traveling businesses.

Interestingly, small, mobile living isn't new, with examples like yurts and teepees existing for centuries8 . The modern tiny house on wheels gained significant popularity after being featured on television, but the underlying idea has been around for a long time.

Conclusion: Embrace the Wandering Lifestyle!

Whether you're seeking financial freedom, a simpler way of life, or the flexibility to move with ease, tiny homes offer a compelling alternative to traditional housing. They are more than just tiny houses; they represent a conscious choice towards a different lifestyle.

At Wandering Tiny Homes, our goal is to help you find the tiny home that best fits your needs and enables you to transition from just "wandering" to a fulfilling "wandering lifestyle." We encourage you to contact us through our wanderingtinyhomes.com website to learn more and explore how tiny living can work for you. Thanks for tuning in!