This was brushed over a little bit in the plans and purchasing post, but we wanted to make a post specifically for it. Because these are kind of big purchases.
Windows
We decided early on that we would go with Jeld-Wen builders vinyl because they are good windows, available at Lowe's, and in our budget. We also ended up ordering our windows after we had Rosey Leigh framed up so knew exactly what size frames we needed Normally you would want to order your windows so they would arrive right after you are finished framing, but it was a good thing we didn't do that. Because we changed one windows' size in the middle of framing, but we did at least know what the standard sizes were so we didn't have to pay extra for a custom window. The window that we changed was the breakfast nook window. We originally had it at 4 feet wide and a sliding window like all the other windows in the house (except the one picture window), but decided to down size it to 3 feet wide. Now a standard size casement window would be able to go there. We are really glad that we decided to downsize the window and go with the casement. It looks amazing and will be great when we are using the deck that we are going to have just outside that window.
Our original design had over 11 windows of different sizes, but after discussions with family and other tiny house owners, we reevaluated and removed 2 windows - one in the loft area and one in the kitchen. The concern with our original number of windows was that we would have a difficult time keeping the temperature regulated. The decision to go with sliding over single hung was purely aesthetic. Abbie really liked the contemporary look of this style and we wanted to have as much consistency as possible.
Loft egresses are a very important topic for personal safety and coding. The purpose of a loft egress is entry or exit in the case of emergency. Appendix Q in the IRC states that tiny houses are not exempt from meeting Section R310 for emergency escape and rescue openings. This means to meet this standard we needed a minimum opening area of 5.7 square feet. Proportionally, for tiny houses, this is a very large ask. Originally we had thought about doing awning windows in the lofts, but they are not permissible because the clear opening isn't big enough. Unfortunately after reviewing all of our options, meeting this requirement was not feasible for us at this time. We have installed a very large sliding window that both of us are able to escape through if needed, but is not 5.7 square feet. In the future, if appendix Q is adopted in our jurisdiction, then we will likely reconsider putting a casement window in the sleeping loft to satisfy the requirement.
Door
The door was one of the easiest thing we have decided on for the tiny house thus far if you ask Drew. Abbie did a little looking online and knew exactly which one she wanted, and then we both walked into Lowe's and the door was front and center and Drew didn't even need to look at any other options. We knew that this one was the one. Then we quickly both agreed that we wanted the door to be an out-swing to not take up room inside the house when it is open. Also for the door to open away from the breakfast nook window so if we wanted to keep the door all the way open we could and not have it blocking our view.
Roof
According to Abbie the roof was the easiest thing we have decided on thus far. We knew we wanted a metal roof, so Drew did some research on it to see what companies were available locally and also what roofing style could be used on such a shallow roof (we have a 1.5:12 pitch roof). Drew's dad recommended Mueller Inc. because he had used them on their house in Oklahoma and they came with his recommendation. So Drew looked them up and they have a location in Fort Worth and Glen Rose (there Glen Rose location is closer to Granbury, where we are building). They also had 2 types of panels that were recommended for our low pitch, R Panel and MLK Standing Seam Panel. After Drew's dad called to ask them some questions (since he had installed two metal roofs before, he knew the questions to ask), we decided to go with the R Panel. We liked the look of it and more importantly it came in the color that Abbie had dreamt the color our roof would be (deep river blue).
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