Michigan
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Michigan Tiny Homes
Thinking of going tiny up North? The Great Lakes draw thousands of visitors every year, touting a wide variety of outdoor adventure opportunities. The rising lakefront real estate values reflect the growing tourism industry. It’s only a matter of time before we start seeing more tiny home builders in Michigan.
Wind River Tiny Homes is located in sunny Tennessee, but since we ship our homes all across the country, we build with harsh conditions in mind. What should you look for in a tiny home bound for Michigan winters? First and foremost is roofing material. Snow weighs different amounts based on varying moisture content in different geographic locations. Snow coming off the Great Lakes can be over twice as heavy as snow out West. You’ll definitely want your Michigan tiny home to be designed with this in mind.
Wind River homes are built with highly durable Tuff-Rib metal roofing. We’ll also make sure the roof slope of your home suits not only your site plan, but also wind direction and expected snowfall. Adding heating cable on your roof after it’s in place may also be a good idea to help further manage heavy snow loads.
Another major investment we make in the quality of our tiny homes is insulation. All of our homes are constructed with 2×4 framing and spray foam insulation. Spray foam has by far the highest R-value available for the tiny home application, and wooden construction allows less air infiltration than steel framing when the temperature drops below freezing. Additionally, we use LP SmartSide for a low-maintenance and durable siding that won’t warp or change with fluctuating temperatures (and which we can do in any custom color(s) you like).
For any non-foundation structure, free moving air under the home will affect your indoor heating and cooling. However, because we use spray foam insulation and cover the underside of your tiny home with a critter barrier that doesn’t allow any disruption to the insulation, this is a minor issue for Wind River homes. Additionally, there are endless skirting and decking options that not only add curb appeal to your Michigan tiny home, but act as a further critter and weather barrier. We may also recommend an upgraded mini split rated for harsh climates, as well as a secondary heat source like a wood burning stove or propane heater. Another great option for Michigan tiny homes (or any home in a colder climate) is heated tile flooring in your bathroom and/or kitchen area!
Depending on your utility setup, you’ll want to winterize your water lines and think about weather proofing your holding tanks, if applicable. Ask us about heat tape, heating pads, and tankless hot water heaters. Lastly, humidity in a tiny home is an important factor during the hotter months. At Wind River, we’ve already thought about systems design in your tiny home so you don’t have to. Ask us about our HVAC systems and other options for dehumidifying your home.
