Tiny Green Cabins
Tiny house living is not a new concept, but it is a relatively recent arrival to the spotlight of mass media attention it currently enjoys. This scaled-down form of green living is not for everyone, but if the sizable curiosity of people searching the web for tiny house plans is an indicator, it appears the world is ready to explore more sustainable lifestyles during this global economic downturn. A thriving community of tiny house supporters can be found online by doing a quick search, and the message boards are brimming with conversation about everything from small house gardening tips to finding a reputable tiny house builder.
Tiny houses, also called small houses, come in a variety of sizes ranging from around 40 square feet to 400 square feet. Many designs incorporate solar panels for harnessing energy from the sun, and most rely on rain water collection systems and composting toilets. Building permits and regulations vary greatly from state to state and depend on the size of each structure and the means of obtaining water, heating, and electricity.
These miniature dwellings don’t come cheap, but many of their owners consider them to be a personal investment in our planet. The plans and materials for a tiny house can cost between $14,000 and $22,000 for the do-it-yourself crowd, but if you want yours put together by a builder or a pre-fabricated tiny house, be prepared to pay between $45,000 and $75,000.
Some benefits of living the small life include the ability to move to new locations with ease, enormous savings on (and sometimes the complete elimination of) utility bills, and the pleasant lack of monthly rent or a mortgage payment. Since tiny houses consume little energy and handle waste organically, they make a small carbon footprint.
On the other hand, there are some drawbacks as well. These houses can be far too small for a dinner throwing a dinner party (or even a chess match,) and zoning restrictions requiring dwellings to be of a specific minimal size may prevent their placement in certain locations. These are all considerations for anyone thinking of building a tiny house.
As tiny house living gains momentum, expect to hear more about this sustainable and green lifestyle.
I recommend visiting Tumbleweed Tiny Houses (http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/) Tiny Green Cabins (http://www.tinygreencabins.com/) and Tiny Texas Houses (http://www.tinytexashouses.com/) to learn more.
Melonie
Melonie McLaurin usually writes for directsattv.com. She enjoys spending time with her pets and family when not writing about the environment, going green, and books.
