I had no clue how many alternatives there were when I went to purchase windows for my little home. When it comes to purchasing small home windows, the options are bewildering, so let's keep things as easy as possible.
Choosing Tiny House Windows
When it comes to windows, there are a few important factors to consider. These are cost, custom vs. stock, and style. Windows should be one of the first items you decide on since they take a long time to arrive. Stock windows may take a few weeks to arrive, however bespoke windows may take 30 to 60 days.
Your selection will be heavily influenced by cost. Simply stated, you'll either be able to buy bespoke windows or they'll be so expensive that you'll have to settle with stock. Aside from that, you'll want to choose a style that complements your design. More on it later.
The Price of Tiny House Windows
One of the first things I discovered was that windows are pricey! Even with standard windows, the costs can pile up. I spent about $6,500 on only windows for my little house, which is really very similar to a larger home.
You'll want a lot of windows in a compact home to allow in as much light as possible. The typical conventional home of around 2,600 square feet has 10 to 12 windows throughout. Compare that to my 150-square-foot home, which has 12 windows – very astounding when you think about it.
My windows were bespoke, costing about $375 per window, plus one extremely pricey casement window and an opening skylight that cost me over $600.
Making Use of Reclaimed Windows
Many individuals will start to inquire about utilizing recycled windows at this point. You may be able to locate secondhand windows, manufacturing rejects, building surplus, and other items at a very low cost. I'm going to tell you something you don't want to hear, and many people will ignore my counsel. Those folks will eventually be terribly sad.
It is not a good idea to use used or recovered windows. First and foremost, it is quite hard to obtain used tempered windows. You'll be tempted to use untempered windows, which is a terrible and deadly notion.
Unless your small home is constructed on a foundation, all of your windows must be made of tempered glass. I'd go so far as to say this isn't even a question. It is not only required by law in many jurisdictions, but it is also a serious safety issue. Tempered glass is more safer, and not having tempered glass will result in a lot of shattered glass (and lost money) down the line if you ever relocate your small home.
Aside from the problem of tempered glass, secondhand windows often have a slew other drawbacks. The seals are damaged, the windows do not function properly, the nailing fins are broken, or the housing is in poor condition. Windows are really exact things, and if everything goes wrong, you'll have a drafty home that costs more to heat and water problems that might cost you thousands of dollars.
For these and other reasons, it is essential to get new windows. Similarly, when consumers purchase used trailers against my advise, it generally ends up costing more in the long term, wiping away any early savings.
Custom vs. Stock Windows in a Tiny House
When planning your budget, keep in mind that windows will account for a significant portion of it. Figure windows will be 10% to 15% of your total expenditure.
Determine what 10% of your budget is if you have one. If it's between $1,000 and $3,000, you'll have to go with all stock windows. Custom windows are an option if the cost is $5,000 or more.
This is mostly a financial choice; either you can afford it or you cannot. Either way, it’s going to be pricey.
Tiny Home Builders California is a top-rated company that provides affordable, quality tiny homes. The company offers a wide variety of tiny home models and can build them to your specifications. They provide complete customer service and have a warranty on all their products.
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