One of the things that makes living in my Tiny House so pleasant is that I have many windows in it that allow me to look at the surrounding greenery. That makes it no problem at all to live small; many windows gives a spacious feeling to the house. You bring the outside inside to some degree. Even in winter or when the weather is bad, I still feel connected to the nature around me.
Nature is healthy
It’s May, my favourite month of the year. Everything grows like cabbage and there already are a lot of flowers blooming in my garden. I love that fresh green of spring! From my veranda I look at the tall trees across the water that are again full of leaves. The bright blue sky behind it provides such a nice contrast to that new green foliage. Even inside my house I can really enjoy all that beauty outside. Nature around you is very important. Research has proven this time and again. It makes us physically and psychologically healthier.
Windows in my Tiny House
In my sitting area I have a large window and together with the double doors I have a good view of the garden from both sides. While I cook, I can look outside through my wide kitchen window. My desk has a window and even when I take a bath I can look outside, though I have to watch out for people looking in ;) And then I also have three skylights and a hinged window in the loft from which I can see the sky and stars at night.
A Tiny House vs micro apartment
People sometimes tell me that they also live tiny, because they have an apartment of say 40 m2. I hope they enjoy their home very much, but it would not be suitable for me. Fewer windows and no view of green: that really makes a world of difference in how you experience the space. Fortunately, we are all different. There are more and more ideas for ‘greening’ apartment buildings, with green walls and trees on balconies. That is quite an improvement. Yet I prefer to stand with my feet on the earth when I step out my door. I don’t just want to recreate in nature; I want to be a part of it. Every day.
Insulation and costs
Back to those windows. When people design and build a Tiny House, they usually like a lot of windows. There are a few factors to consider. First of all, custom windows are not cheap. So, unless you can recycle used windows and frames, this is no small expense in your budget. Windows are heavy too, so keep that in mind when building a THOW (Tiny House on Wheels). In addition, you lose more heat through windows than through an insulated wall. On the other hand, when the sun shines, you get a lot of heat through windows that are conveniently positioned. On a sunny winter day I do not have to turn on the stove in the afternoon, the sun then warms my house.
Nowadays there is a wide choice of insulating glass or double glass, from HR to HR +++. That makes a big difference in the loss of heat. In the long run, you can save a lot of money if you can invest in good quality double glazing when building your Tiny House. In addition, subsidies for double glazing are available in the Netherlands. An insulated wall is always better, but you also want to live comfortably. Moreover, the incidence of light is very important and determines your mood.
Maintenance
You have to clean windows. You have to paint window frames — unless you have plastic frames. But I assume for the sake of convenience that you want beautiful wooden frames. Biobased for the win, isn’t it? You can have your windows and window frames made in different types of wood and though I am not an expert in that area, I know that you have to stain, oil or paint the frames. Even thermally modified wood is better to oil, as I have noticed. I will tell you more about this in a future blog. Get good advice about your choice of material. The supplier of my windows and frames has extensive experience with tailor-made products for Tiny Houses, they even specialize in them.
If you have taken the above into account, you will soon be able to enjoy all-round views of greenery from your lovely tiny house, just like me. I wish you a lot of (pre) fun!
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