Tiny Home Building Course

Lesson 1 • Tiny Home Categories and Classifications

Distinguishes between THOWs, park models, container homes, and site-built cabins. Classification determines which codes and financing options apply.

Lesson 2 • Tiny Home Movement Overview

Traces the history and motivations driving tiny home adoption. Grounds students in the cultural and economic context before any technical content is introduced.

Lesson 3 • Zoning, Permits, and Legal Placement

Explains how land-use regulations, building codes, and permit processes apply to tiny homes. Students learn to research local requirements before committing to a site.

Lesson 4 • Project Planning and Timeline

Introduces a phased build timeline from design through move-in. Students create a milestone schedule that structures the rest of the course.

Lesson 1 • Space Efficiency Fundamentals

Covers human-factors data and minimum clearance standards for compact living. Establishes the design logic that governs every layout decision in the chapter.

Lesson 2 • Natural Light and Ventilation Design

Addresses window placement, skylight use, and cross-ventilation strategies for small enclosures. Good daylighting reduces energy load and improves occupant comfort.

Lesson 3 • Multi-Functional Furniture and Storage

Explores built-in storage, convertible furniture, and hidden compartments that maximize usable area. Directly informs the interior framing decisions covered later.

Lesson 4 • Drawing and Communicating Your Design

Introduces hand-drafting conventions and entry-level digital tools for producing build-ready drawings. Clear drawings prevent costly errors during construction.

Lesson 1 • Alternative Structural Materials

Surveys steel stud framing, reclaimed lumber, and shipping container modification. Students assess trade-offs in cost, skill requirement, and thermal performance.

Lesson 2 • Material Selection and Sourcing

Teaches how to evaluate materials by weight, durability, sustainability, and cost. Proper sourcing prevents mid-build shortages and budget overruns.

Lesson 3 • Structural Load Concepts

Explains dead loads, live loads, wind, and snow loads in plain terms. Understanding load paths is prerequisite to every framing and foundation decision.

Lesson 4 • Wood Framing Techniques

Covers platform framing, advanced framing, and SIP panel construction for walls and roofs. Wood framing is the most common tiny home structural method.

Lesson 1 • Insulation Types and Performance

Compares batts, rigid foam, spray foam, and mineral wool by R-value, cost, and installation method. Students select insulation suited to their wall thickness and budget.

Lesson 2 • Building Envelope Principles

Defines the thermal boundary, air barrier, and vapor control layers and their correct order. Misplacing these layers causes moisture damage and energy loss.

Lesson 3 • Moisture Management and Waterproofing

Addresses housewrap, flashing, drainage planes, and roof underlayment to prevent water intrusion. Moisture failures are the leading cause of tiny home structural damage.

Lesson 4 • Air Sealing Techniques

Covers caulking, spray foam detailing, gaskets, and blower-door testing to achieve a tight envelope. Air sealing delivers more energy savings per dollar than added insulation.

Lesson 1 • Sustainable Material and Passive Design

Integrates passive solar orientation, thermal mass, and green material choices to reduce active energy demand. Passive strategies lower system size and long-term operating cost.

Lesson 2 • Propane and Alternative Fuel Systems

Covers propane tank sizing, regulator installation, and safety requirements for cooking and heating. Propane is the most common backup fuel in off-grid tiny homes.

Lesson 3 • Rainwater Harvesting and Filtration

Covers collection surface sizing, first-flush diverters, storage tanks, and multi-stage filtration to potable standard. Harvested water reduces or eliminates municipal water dependence.

Lesson 4 • Greywater and Blackwater Management

Explains greywater reuse systems, composting toilets, and septic alternatives for off-grid waste handling. Waste system choice must align with local health regulations.

Lesson 1 • Electrical Safety and Code Basics

Reviews electrical hazards, grounding principles, and the residential wiring standards that apply to tiny homes. Safety knowledge is mandatory before any hands-on wiring.

Lesson 2 • Lighting Design and Fixture Selection

Applies layered lighting principles to tiny spaces using LED fixtures that minimize heat and energy draw. Good lighting design makes small spaces feel larger.

Lesson 3 • Load Calculation and Panel Sizing

Teaches students to calculate total electrical load and select an appropriately sized service panel. Undersized panels cause tripped breakers and fire risk.

Lesson 4 • Wiring Methods and Rough-In

Covers NM cable, conduit, and low-voltage wiring routed through framed walls and floors. Rough-in must be completed before insulation and drywall are installed.

Lesson 1 • Supply Line Rough-In

Teaches PEX, copper, and CPVC pipe selection, cutting, and connection methods for hot and cold supply lines. PEX is the dominant choice for tiny home builds.

Lesson 2 • Plumbing Fundamentals and Safety

Covers water pressure, drain-waste-vent principles, and cross-connection hazards. Safe plumbing knowledge prevents contamination and structural water damage.

Lesson 3 • Fixture Installation and Finish Plumbing

Guides students through installing sinks, toilets, showers, and appliance connections after walls are closed. Finish plumbing is the final step before occupancy inspection.

Lesson 4 • Water Heating Options

Compares tankless propane, electric tankless, and mini tank water heaters for tiny home use. Tankless units save space and energy but require adequate gas or electrical supply.

Lesson 1 • Flooring Selection and Installation

Covers LVP, hardwood, tile, and cork flooring suited to tiny home subfloor conditions. Flooring must tolerate movement in mobile builds and moisture in wet zones.

Lesson 2 • Wall and Ceiling Finish Materials

Evaluates drywall, shiplap, plywood paneling, and beadboard for weight, cost, and installation ease. Material choice affects both aesthetics and structural weight budget.

Lesson 3 • HVAC and Ventilation Systems

Covers mini-split heat pumps, propane heaters, and mechanical ventilation for tiny home climate control. Proper ventilation prevents moisture buildup and indoor air quality issues.

Lesson 4 • Cabinetry and Millwork

Teaches built-in cabinet construction, face-frame vs. frameless design, and countertop installation. Custom built-ins maximize storage in ways stock cabinets cannot.