Sensible Structures has developed some affordable tiny green buildings, either pre-assembled or in a kit form, for off-grid living. They also offer workshops on how to build small homes.
Begun in 2011 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania by some eco-minded builders, this company is producing high quality environmentally friendly buildings in 100, 200, and 250 square feet. They feature:
- an energy efficient R-25 insulated floor, wall, roof, and crawlspace system
- septic, freshwater and rainwater storage systems
- solar and wind powered electrical, AC and DC
- premium green-certified windows and doors
- Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) wood finished interiors and exteriors
- a complete FSC wood kitchen with appliances
- high efficiency green-certified bath fixtures
The homes are customizable and you can see a list of some choices on the quote request page on the website. Some examples are shed or gable roof; assembled or kit; Structural Insulated Panel System (SIPS) or wood frame; cedar or pine tongue and groove interior wall board and trim, or commercial grade corrugated steel panel; single hung no screen windows and base door or premium door and double hung half screen windows; cedar or pine horizontal or vertical lap siding, or corrugated steel exterior; no kitchen, upgraded, or deluxe kitchen; composting toilet, low flow standard elongated toilet, toilet and shower, or no bath; kitchen counter of wood block, granite, quartz, or recycled glass; no water storage tanks, 250 gallon septic tank only, 250 gallon septic and 150 gallon fresh water only, or 250 gallon septic and 100 gallon fresh water and 50 gallon rainwater tank; no appliances, sink only, sink and refrigerator, or sink, refrigerator, and Liquefied Petroleum (LP) gas cooktop stove; 280 or 560 watt complete solar system with two or four battery storage.
Some accessory choices are a bedroom addition, porch upgrade, living roof, wood burning stove, wind assist power system, a 4,000 watt gas power generator, an LP gas tank, 500 gallon septic tank upgrade, 250 gallon fresh and/or rain water tank upgrades, and special requests.
The homes are factory made and can be purchased pre-assembled and delivered anywhere in the United States on a base frame or a trailer frame in various sizes. Or they can be produced in kit form starting at $15,500, and assembled on site. They are optimally designed to create the least on site material waste and offer excellent indoor air quality.
These are energy efficient buildings that will have low energy bills and maintenance costs. As an affordable option, they will appeal to environmentalists and green enthusiasts, sports pursuits like hunting and fishing, as vacation homes, as temporary housing, for corporations and businesses.
The two-day hands-on "Tiny House Building Workshop" is being held on April 20-21, 2013; June 22-23, 2013; August 17-18, 2013 in Pottsville. The fee is $250 including breakfast and lunch, and the website says "When you leave the workshop you will have the abilities and experiences to craft your own small living space."
For more pictures and details, check out the website, email info@sensiblestructures.com, or telephone 570.622.2119.
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