Comments on: Tortoise Shell Home – Best Tiny House Value

By: Gabriel

Gabriel — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 20:26:01 +0000

I liked the idea of using something other than wood for the skeleton. I have seen a closer look at tortoiseshellhome.com that reveals steel studs which I have often seen in drywall installations.
I am unfamiliar with that kind of use for steel studs and need your opinion on that:

As far as I remember, the studs are rigid enough and difficult to bend, but do not resist “twisting” or torsion as much as wood does. I don’t know if the house stands high wind velocities, even well below hurricane levels. It’s difficult to see the thickness of the studs in the tortoiseshellshome website, but they look thin. I never saw a “stand-alone” structure of studs and it was always used as a dressing to an existing wall.

By: Bullgator7

Bullgator7 — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:45:27 +0000

love living of the grid. 12 volt solar electirc fence chargers are great power sources,come with panel and battery. seems like most solar power users want to cont running big appliances. go with all 12 volts lighting, leds, boat 12v ac units, and 12 volt fridges. for fire i use propane.for waste use composting toilet. I have a clivus multrom apt unit can support two people. solves the waste water problem. working on a gypsy wagon design.

By: Michael Janzen

Michael Janzen — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:36:38 +0000

I personally think there are four main differences between a tiny house and RV:

1. Aesthetics. A tiny house looks like a house, even more than a mobile home might look like one. Not suggesting one is better than another, just pointing out this very obvious difference.
2. Tiny houses are built like houses and are truly 4 season homes. RVs tend to be tough in the winter unless you travel with the seasons.
3. Tiny houses are much heavier and tougher to move. While being portable it is important to note that if portability is desired an RV or trailer is preferred.
4. Tiny houses are often owner-built. There is something to be said for being able to build your own home.

Just my two cents. RV’s and trailers are great at what they are designed for and tiny houses are no replacement. They simply provide another alternative to those looking to live light.

By: Nadine

Nadine — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:24:44 +0000

Love the idea. I believe that I live in a type of turtle tiny home. It is a 35 ft motorhome that I live in year round. I spend 6 months in Maine on the coast and the other 6 in Key West Fl. How is that cost effective? I spend nothing on heating or A/C. That in itself compensates for the fuel I spend to get from point A to point B, plus I like where I live. It is a little over 300sq ft of living space. Not everyones idea of a tiny house, but it meets the criteria. Did I mention I use solar panels and all LED lights and use all green or organics for everything where I can. That includes cat litter and food !!
Nadine

By: BJ

BJ — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:53:02 +0000

Thanks. I know I will be utilizing lightweight (but attractive) pocket door panels (much as Jay does for a shower door)..and will utilize every possible attractive organizational/storage concept. I like the Japanese nesting furniture concepts…allows for flexibility…after all, who needs a guest room EVERY day? (if we did we wouldn’t be building these homes). Hanging storage, bulkheads, stair bookshelves, hidden drawers, and vertical storage solutions, in addition to flexible wallmounted cubbies and roll down storage for the little things that we so often find we need (esp in a little storage shed on the outside).

Additional things I see in mine: a gray water system, rain water collection and filtration, composting toilet, and a solar clothes dryer;).

Being a bit of a loner at heart (yes, with 12 kids, I still value my privacy) and a year round outdoor enthusiast, I definitely want to incorporate a folding wall solarium and integrated solar panel awning-style roof for the same…something that can fold up and roll up when moving, but be secure and usable when settled. That would facilitate year round plantings in a container garden, a cozy bench could have a lid that raises to reveal its double duty as a vermacompost bin … and would make the space very practical for longterm use…add a portable firepit and a french press and no one would need look for me for months on end.

By: Michael Janzen

Michael Janzen — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:39:29 +0000

BJ… for those detailed questions go directly to Bill at http://www.tortoiseshellhome.com/

By: BJ

BJ — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:50:39 +0000

I’m deifinitely favoring this lightweight shell…could build with pallets but would be much much heavier (and not as easy to move). This will be a family project for my 12 kids and me: to teach responsible utilization of earth’s resources, energy independence and minimalist consumerism…it will also serve as a guest casita ,and will eventually be my roving retirement home (to fulfill the promise of “1 month at your house, 1 month at your house….”)

What is the estimated finished weight?

Do you recommend foam core insulated panels to finish for insulation and weight minimization?

What is the best exterior choice?

What about the cost and estimated power needs for the home and power production for solar system (high-efficiency Sanyo PVPs)? On roof or separate tree? Inverter? grey water tanks? Water collection? What else a I not asking?

Are recommended heaters electric –or propane boat heaters?