10 Jan HOW PROPER CERTIFICATION CAN PREVENT TINY HOUSE NIGHTMARES FROM HAPPENING TO YOU
HOW PROPER CERTIFICATION CAN PREVENT TINY HOUSE NIGHTMARES FROM HAPPENING TO YOU
Everyone needs that certain someone to look after them. With Tiny Houser’s safety in mind, for Tiny Houses, it’s “certain someone” is NOAH Certified, and here’s why!
“NOAH is a pretty amazing organization because before them, nothing existed. Before NOAH there were no set of standardized codes for Tiny Houses. And they have set these codes. It’s a mix of a variety of different actual building codes and RV codes and they spun them in a little pot – and POOF! You have Tiny House set of codes that make it certifiable.”
– Dan Richfield of Off Grid Building
You might ask, why do I need to get my Tiny House certified? But it’s not a matter of certification being required. It’s more about understanding why you should get your Tiny House on Wheels certified. And how to avoid preventable disasters.
We have all heard of Tiny House horror stories on YouTube, Facebook, and just about anywhere. But the good news is that none of that has to happen to your Tiny House – because without a doubt, the correct construction process and proper certification is key to a successful build and a happy Tiny Houser.
Tiny House mishaps can range from the trailer not tracking the Tiny Home properly, lopsided framing, improper insulation, consequences of water damage, and incorrectly pronouncing a Tiny Home as “capable of withstanding threatening weather conditions.” Folks, these things are downright dangerous. Saying a Tiny House is built right when it is in fact not, is risky with a capital R. The list of things that can go wrong are endless. But by getting your build properly inspected, you are moving your wheels in the right direction!
Here’s just a few problems and solutions a proper third party Tiny House inspection will encourage builders to look at:
CONSIDER THE TRAILER AND IT’S PURPOSE
Some people might see the Tiny House as the most critical part of the build, more so than the trailer. But listen here, the trailer is just as important. It’s the foundation of your Tiny House. It’s where the building process begins – and it’s NOAH Certified’s Stage 1 Inspection for a good reason! If you are trying to save money and go cheaper, the trailer may not be the best place to cut your costs. And remember, oftentimes going cheap will cost you more money in the long run!
Some things you want to look for are the trailer’s capabilities of tracking and balancing the home during a tow and answering the following question, “does the trailer support the weight of the home and its contents?” If you’re answer is yes, then you may be headed in the right direction! Your best bet, however would be to purchase a trailer engineered exclusively for Tiny Homes.
BUILD TO PROPER HEIGHT CLEARANCE
Not all Tiny Housers are planning to pick up and move their Tiny Houses. But in your case, if it is a Tiny Houses on Wheels, and if you are considering taking it down the road anytime in the future, why not ensure the build is adhering to proper clearance requirements for road safety? It’s protection for you and others you share the road with.
Check out the GIF below with this question in mind. Could a proper inspection have prevented this sort of unfavorable mistake? In my opinion, the answer yes, why yes, absolutely!
Click here to see the full Highway Clearance Crash video.
USE AN ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF INSULATION
Imagine waiting months to move into your Tiny Home, then finally, which much built anticipation, you get to spend the first night Tiny House! But the first night isn’t exactly how you dreamed it would be because it consists of you having freezing cold feet from walking on a poorly insulation floor during a cold winter month. Kind of ruins the special moment. If you want to avoid a mood killer like this, keep in mind that you want to add the proper amount of insulation needed for your ceilings, walls, and floors. The NOAH Standard calls for walls and floors to have an R13 value, while the ceilings have an R19 value. Yes ladies and gentlemen, that means the floors need a sufficient amount of insulation too!
DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF AN EGRESS WINDOW
Egress windows are without a doubt a must have in a Tiny House. Not only for your comfort needs while you sleep, but for safety as well. In case of an emergency, you may need a quick, easy access escape route. As our NOAH Standard reads, you should have a primary and properly labeled secondary means of egress windows in your sleeping area. To fulfill its purpose, an egress window must be at least 24 inches wide x 17 inches tall.
It’s takes a good amount of hard work, detail, time, and effort to build a safe and secure Tiny Home. But the end result is completely worth it.
“We want to thank your company [NOAH]. When we first started building Tiny Houses, we were a mess… We love the inspections. Sometimes they give us a hard time, but it’s for our own good.” – Josue, owner of Pacifica Tiny Homes and a valued NOAH Manufacturer Member
???? Contact NOAH Certified, the Original Tiny House Inspection Company to get your Tiny House on Wheels properly inspected and certified today. The greater peace of mind that comes with a certified Tiny Home is priceless.
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