Craigslist Shopping

Hi all! I though I would share some thing I have bought on Craigslist so far. Having my project construction so far out has allowed me some time to shop for materials on CL. I have become addicted to going onto the materials category daily... even hourly (when I am board). So far I have scored some deals I want to share:)

CL Score #1

100 sf of Hickory hardwood flooring. 

I bought 100 square feet of Hickory tongue and groove flooring from a nice guy in Portland. He had just done a remodel and had extra laying around. I bought it for 1$ a sf. So 100$ total. This will be enough floor to cover my loft (hopefully).  I have fallen in love with how natural Hickory looks, and i will be looking for more for the main floor! 

CL Score #2

Under mount stainless steal kitchen sink. 

I have been looking at under mount kitchen sinks for a while now. I like how sleek they look and seamlessly sits under the counter. However, they seem to run a couple hundred bucks for the size I wanted (something between 24 and 20 inches wide) and that was a price I was VERY hesitant at. But my luck struck when my dad sent me a link for this sink and it was 25$. Score! I bought it that weekend and I love my future sink already.

Looks like the original price for this sink was 342$, then went on clearance for 100$. Lucky me getting it for 25$ :)

 

CL Score #3

11 Milgard Windows

I bought this lot of Windows from a contractor who went in another direction for a project. So he had 11 brand new beautiful windows that he had to sell fast. *In comes Kelly* I managed to talk him down a couple hundred on the price and asked him to deliver (since I don not have a truck) so I think my negotiation skills are improving! Yay! 

I will not be able to use all these windows in my Tiny House, so selling some will get me money back in the long run. I paid 1300 for the 11 windows. I can now start planning the walls/framing around the windows, and plan for the ones I still have to acquire. 

It was my first big purchase for the tiny house and I feel like this was the step where I really committed to the project. Sure, I have been telling friends and family about it for a while, but this seemed like a real big step for me:)

(In the pic is all the windows I bought. I will have a picture later where you can actually see all the windows. Oh and that is my dog Annie as well:) 

OK, now back to craigslist hunting! 

Tiny House Heating: Part 2

Option #2- Wood:

I have to admit, the idea of having a tiny wood stove in my tiny house has me squirming in delight. I have spent a ton of time looking into this option. There is something about having a "true" fireplace that just can't be beat. The smell, the sound of cracking wood. The Idea sounds romantic. 

Some advantages in choosing a wood stove may include: scrap wood could heat the house. You can cook on top of it, and boil water. 

However, some possible drawbacks I can see are wood storage space, clearance requirements, and operation learning curve. How much wood would I have to stockpile? How hard is it to clean a wood stove? How hard is it to operate one? What types of wood would I burn? 

The Hobbit 

This little beauty has wormed its way into my heart already. The large glass front, cast iron body and economical design makes this one of my favorite wood stoves that I have seen. It comes in different colors and looks easy to operate. 

The owner of Salamander Stoves (John Salamander) has a series of YouTube videos, where he explains various aspects of this stove. How to unpack, take care of, light, feed, and so on. I really enjoyed watching in action. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC99pRoyEAU90rNuIBtU4bwQ

Unfortunately it is made in the UK, so ordering and shipping might be a bit of an issue. But I see them occasionally on Ebay locally. 

Cost: £475.00  so about $805, plus shipping I would imagine.
Dimensions: 465mm x 302mm x 272
Heat output: 4Kw (wow)

More info: http://www.salamanderstoves.com/docs/64/the_hobbit_stove/

The Sardine

As you might be able to tell by the name, this tiny stove is another marine gem. I love how small it is, plus you can get an optional glass insert on the front. It boasts a great cook surface as well. The company offers porcelain finishes on their stoves, but it costs an extra $850 and can take a very long time.

The only real hang ups I have about it is the cost (about 1400 all added up) and the side load. I wonder how this would effect the angle you need to place it in your home. Also wait time to get one looks long, not a quick option by any means. (But looks worth the wait)

Dimentions: 12 x 12 x 11 inches (one of the smallest I have found)
Weight: 35 lbs
Heat output: 7,500 - 18,000

If this is too small for you, they make a slightly larger made called the Little Cod 

More Info: http://www.marinestove.com/sardineinfo.htm

Over all, this matter will take some more thought and research. Ill post later when I have made a decision. 

Tiny House Heating

What heat source will I choose for my tiny house? What are the different types? How do they impact the environment? How much do they cost to run?

I want to heat my tiny house in a way that is not dependent on electricity. It the power goes out, I do not want to have to break out the trusty ol' sleeping bag and blankets. Plus, some of the models I have come across are amazingly cute and perfect for a tiny house! Choosing one will be a challenge. I have put together a list of my current favorites.

I have decided my heat will be either an LP (Propane) or a wood stove. The both have pros and cons, but both are viable option and I'm stuck between these awesome options! Good thing I have a while to decide.

Option #1- Propane: 

I will already have propane hooked up for my stove so routing an additional gas line to the fireplace should be a small matter. The compact profile, and small clearance needed, makes propane an excellent option for a heat source. Things to think about: How much does propane cost? How much propane should I expect to use during the winter? What is the environmental impact of the making of and burning propane? 

The Mini Franklin 

This tiny fireplace looks so inviting and perfect. Its small footprint is great and it produces an impressive 8,000 BTU's. I like this model because it is a traditional look in a tiny package. One perk of the propane heaters I have found is the smaller clearance needed than the wood stoves. Space is a valuable commodity, and this certainly packs a punch for the small amount it takes up. 


Also, this vent does not extend out of the top, so for me, the visual appeal is greater than the next option on the list. 





Some Specs:  

Dimentions: 17"x14.5"x15" , 72 lbs and has 6,677-8,349 BTU/hr. Recommended sf heating is 100-400

Cost: $1299 and availability is limited, you will have to order in advance. 

More Info: http://www.woodstove.com/mini-franklin

Dickinson Newport Fireplace 

I have seen this LP fireplace EVERYWHERE! It seems to be a favorite among the tiny house community. What makes it so popular? I will have to research and see how people are liking it.

This fireplace features an attractive glass front to the unit and is wall mounted so it is very low profile (only 8 inches for the bigger one!). It is from a marine com pane, so it is designed for small spaces and cold/damp environments.

There are 2 models to choose from. The Newport P-9000 and the P-1200. Not much difference in price at $1118.55 and $1278.00 respectively. The 1200 is a couple inches larger and produces up to 1,000 more Btu's.






Some Specs: (P-12000)

Dimentions Width 10", Height 16", Depth 7.25"
Heat Output: 4,000 to 5,500 BTU's


More info: http://www.dickinsonmarine.com/propane.php


P.S. They also have some wicked stoves! Small and compact, plus they look like they could survive a hurricane. A tad spendy, and probably out of my price range. But hey, a girl can dream ;)

P.S.S. Their stoves feature a cutting board that fits over the burners. I may have to incorporate this into my design over the stovetop and maybe the sink. Extra counter space and smoother lines.

Option #2 Wood coming soon in Part 2! 

Why Start a Blog?

There are a number of factors leading me to this decision.

#1 being that there is so little documentation about the process out there! There are a lot of sites that show completed houses and design ideas, and there are a few where you can purchase plans/videos with instruction. Those may be the solution for others, but I was looking for something different to inspire and educate me. I wanted a place to see the process step by step, and learn from their successes and failures. I did eventually find a couple great sites and I still go back to them all the time to add to my design. Off the top of my head, the tiny project is probably my main inspiration to do a blog. I love their house and a lot of my design elements are drawn from theirs. Hopefully my blog/house will inspire others like theirs inspired me

Reason #2 is having a way to document my progress in pictures. I absolutely LOVE before and after photos and seeing tangible evidence of success. I want a place to look back on, during and after the build to keep me motivated and focused. You could argue that a picture album could do the same thing, and it could, to a point. I wanted something a little more in depth, a little more involved.

I'm sure there are more reasons, but nothing I can verbalize right now at the moment. I'll probably address/update later with a more comprehensive post.