Utah typically has cold and snowy winters. So, what should you look for in a tiny home bound for Utah winters? Snow can weigh quite a bit; you’ll want your Utah 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 important investment for your Utah tiny home is good insulation to keep your home comfortable in the frigid climate.  We use spray foam insulation and 2×4 framing. 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 rises.

Additionally, we use LP SmartSide for a low-maintenance and durable siding that won’t warp or change with fluctuating temperatures (and which can be painted any custom color you like).

Another consideration for the hotter months is humidity—an important factor for an Utah tiny home. You’ll want a reliable and efficient HVAC system in your home. You may want to explore other options for dehumidifying your tiny home as well. This will work in tandem with your insulation and framing to keep the hot out and the cool in.

Also, if you’re opting for a more off-grid Utah lifestyle, investing in solar power could also be a good idea. If the set-up of your Utah tiny home is permanent or semi-permanent, we recommend a ground mounted solar array. And housing the heavy batteries in a separate outbuilding will allow you to maximize your tiny home’s precious square footage.

Another key design element for Utah tiny homes is an exterior deck, especially if you’re living on the coast. Your builder should be able to assist with your overall site plan and may even be able to create a set of deck construction documents to be used for building your deck on-site.