By Regan Daley
Nov 20, 2024
Bigger is not always better. With the ability to age in place, bring your home with you, and secure a more affordable housing alternative, tiny houses are an attractive housing option for many.
At this time, there is not a universal definition or size of a tiny house, though they are typically 400 square feet or less, and are making a big impact on the housing market, which is why the subcommittee on tiny houses (E06.26), part of the committee on performance of buildings (E06), is working to develop new standards to create uniformity in the tiny house industry so they can become recognized as a viable housing solution.
Tiny houses have been around for decades – from Mongolian yurts to Native American teepees to Thoreau’s 150-square-foot cabin in the woods where he wrote Walden. However, it was during the Great Recession around 2008 when the tiny house movement really took off.
Since then, they have become an attractive way of life for individuals from all walks of life. A snapshot of those calling a tiny houses “home” includes:
When it comes to tiny houses, the saying “less is more” sums it up nicely – as less square footage leads to more savings. Tiny houses also equal lower utility costs and higher conserved energy, which means less carbon output is created. With a lower output, homeowners can live a more sustainable and eco-friendlier lifestyle.
But when it comes to tiny houses, the options are only limited by one’s imagination. Some unofficial types of these houses are as follows:
1) Tiny houses on wheels: Are structures built for commercial purposes or to be lived in as a dwelling constructed on a movable trailer, providing owners the freedom to travel and experience the open road-with the home in tow and are considered personal property.
2) Tiny houses on skids: Are structures built on a temporary foundation and are relocatable
3) Tiny houses on a foundation: A tiny house is built on site or off-site in a factory that is placed on a permanent foundation and is considered real property and the homeowner will be able to obtain a mortgage and build equity like a traditionally sized home.
Tiny house designs have evolved beyond the tiny box and come in a variety of styles, including granny pods, shipping containers, cabins, houseboats, and more.
A primary focus of the subcommittee is standards for tiny houses on wheels. Because there is not one unified industry standard that is recognized for tiny houses on wheels, each jurisdiction, bank, insurance agency, etc., could have a different definition and criteria to deny or allow them.
Currently, most tiny houses on wheels, also known as caravans, are built to recreational vehicle standards, which are built for temporary use and are not classified as housing. This has also created barriers to financing and zoning.
The tiny houses subcommittee is currently developing seven proposed standards:
According to Janet Thome, tiny houses subcommittee membership secretary and president of Tiny House Alliance USA, tiny houses offer a multitude of benefits, such as the opportunity to age in place, be mobile, and are more affordable. She also believes tiny houses have the potential to make a positive impact on the housing crisis.
Tiny houses are proof that good things do come in small packages. ASTM standards are helping to ensure that these tight, efficient living spaces offer homeowners the biggest bang for their buck and the chance to live the lifestyle they choose.
A recent conference sponsored by the Office of Housing and Urban Development titled "Availability of Affordable Housing: A Journey Across the U.S. and Through Innovative Policies" was held in September of 2024. Thome spoke on the committee's standards work and the implications for the future of the field.
Regan Daley is a communications intern with ASTM International.
