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Building a Tiny House that Can Handle Michigan Weather

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Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/small-wooden-house-tiny-cottage-906912/

Minimalism has surged in popularity as a lifestyle choice for the modern age. By embracing tiny house living, individuals seek to minimize their possessions and maximize efficiency while striving to achieve sustainability. 

While this concept was once done through traditional cabins in rural areas, it is now becoming increasingly popular across multiple states. Michigan, in particular, is leading the way with its policies and regulations on these dwellings. 

This article is meant to help aspiring builders or prospective residents of Michigan understand exactly how they can make their own ideal tiny home specifically for that environment! 

How Is Michigan’s Weather?

Michigan’s weather can vary dramatically. The state experiences four seasons and is known for cold winters and hot summers. 

Winters can become particularly harsh, with temperatures often dropping below zero and snowfall monthly from December to March. On the other hand, summer can range from comfortable to unbearably hot and humid. 

With such a wide range of climate changes, ensuring that the materials and designs you choose for your tiny house suit extreme weather changes is important.

What to Consider When Building a Tiny House in Michigan 

Location

Different counties in Michigan have different approaches to tiny housing. Hence, confirming whether the law allows you to build a tiny house where you intend to is essential. If not, you may need to find another location. 

Once you identify a location where you can legally build a tiny house, ensure that the spot where you want to build your house has good drainage. If not, do something to improve it. If possible, choose a site that gets plenty of sunlight to help with warming the house naturally as long as it is sunny.

Choose the Right Material

Harsh Michigan weather, particularly moisture and cold temperatures, can significantly impact houses in Michigan. Therefore, you must carefully choose the material for your tiny house. 

The best materials for your tiny home are bricks, concrete, and steel. If you must use wood, only go for wood known to withstand harsh conditions with minimum damage.

Reclaimed wood, for example, is an excellent option since it is durable and can handle extreme weather changes. Other weather-resistant woods include cedar, redwood, or cypress.

Insulation 

Tiny houses have much better energy efficiency than traditional houses because of their small space. However, they still need insulation to cater to when the weather is extreme. 

Some options for insulation material include fiberglass, cellulose insulation, spray foam, and rigid foam board. In addition to using insulating materials that withstand extreme temperatures, you should consider installing energy-efficient windows and doors to complement your insulation and heat conservation efforts.

Roofing Considerations

Michigan receives quite a significant amount of snow in summer, so you will want a roof designed to withstand snow. Metal is the perfect material for roofing a tiny house in Michigan. 

The design of the roof also matters. While you may want the aesthetics of a flat-roof house, it may not be the best choice in a place that receives significant snow. So go for a pitched roof with an inclination of between 15 and 45 degrees. 

Funding For Your Tiny Home

Building a tiny home instead of traditional housing is an economical choice. However, you may still need to secure funding from a home loan lender to get the best design, materials, and contractors. 

Often lenders will want to ensure you have a stable, predictable income. They may also want to look at your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) and credit score, so you will want to ensure you have proper paperwork before applying. 

Final Words

Building a tiny house in Michigan can be challenging due to the state’s unpredictable and extreme weather. However, by considering factors such as location, materials, insulation, roofing considerations, and funding options beforehand, you can ensure your tiny home is built to stand up against any Michigan weather for years to come. 

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