NAVIGATION
Tiny houses can provide exciting challenges and rewarding benefits, but the one thing you should always feel in your home is safe. Even in heavy storms, I’ve always felt safe and sound in my tiny house. If you’re wondering about tiny house safety, below I discuss tiny houses and their durability under extreme weather circumstances.
Tiny Home Safety
Extreme Weather
Theft Protection
How To Storm Proof
Hi, I’m Ryan
After living in my tiny home for a decade, I’ve been through my fair share of inclement weather. I even had a near miss with a tree falling right next to my tiny home. It’s important to think about what dangers your home might face and plan accordingly.
Are Tiny Homes Safe?
Yes, tiny houses are safe. While they are smaller than traditional homes, tiny houses are built to uphold the same building standards and, in some cases, a higher standard.
Whether you are constructing the house yourself or you’ve hired a builder, tiny homes are made with the same durable materials as larger housing. They must be inspected and found to meet the International Building Codes.
Tiny houses built on wheels may be made of more lightweight material, but this doesn’t make them any less hearty. In fact, unlike other houses, THOWs are meant to be transported, so they are built to withstand the hazards of a trip down the highway.
Of course, natural disasters and break-ins can threaten the safety of any home, no matter the size. Storm-proofing your tiny house and installing a home security system can prevent danger and give you peace of mind.
Are Tiny Houses Safe in Storms?
With the proper weather-proofing, tiny houses are safe in thunder and lightning storms. Heavy rain can cause electrical or wood damage, so it’s a good idea to take storm precautions.
Protect electrical connections by trimming branches away from power lines, or run lines underground to protect them from the weather. Use siding and roofing materials that are not susceptible to water damage.
Tiny Houses And Extreme Weather
Extreme weather can affect the safety of any home, and tiny homes are no different. High winds, hard rain, fires, floods, and earthquakes are all natural disasters that may be prevalent depending on where you live.
Are Tiny Homes Hurricane Safe?
One part of hurricane safety depends on how much wind a tiny house can withstand. The average tiny house can handle storms classified as Category 3 or lower. Category 3 storms typically reach wind speeds between 111 and 129 mph. This level of durability is the same as a traditional home.
Are Tiny Houses Safe In A Fire?
Like any home, fire safety in a tiny house is all about taking precautions. Have an emergency exit plan in case of a fire, and make sure your smoke detectors have working batteries. Get rid of appliances with frayed or malfunctioning wires and always have a fire extinguisher handy.
Are Tiny Houses Safe In A Flood?
Tiny houses don’t have basements, which are commonly at risk of flooding. Additionally, mobile tiny houses can be towed away from flooded areas to higher ground. Avoid water damage by building with water-resistant materials and applying watertight coatings and sealants to your walls, windows, and doors.
Can A Tiny House Survive A Tornado?
Yes, a tiny house can survive a tornado, but not without some preparation. Since tiny homes don’t usually have basements, I recommend anchoring your house to prevent it from being lifted by strong winds. It’s also a good idea to secure your roof and, in the event of an approaching storm, reinforce your windows.
Are Tiny Homes Earthquake Resistant?
Tiny houses are built with the same sturdy structures as traditional homes, just on a smaller frame. If you live somewhere earthquakes are common, you can make the same structural reinforcements to your tiny home that you would to a larger house.
Are Tiny Homes Safe In A Heat Wave?
Proper cooling and ventilation systems are just as important in a tiny house as they are in a larger one. They are perfectly safe in a heat wave as long as you take the proper precautions. Luckily, it takes less energy to cool down a tiny house since there is less square footage to worry about.
Can Tiny Houses Withstand A Snow Storm?
With properly constructed roofing and insulation, tiny houses can withstand extreme weather including snowstorms. Just like it takes less energy to cool a tiny house, it takes less energy to heat one as well, so you don’t need to worry about a high utility bill to keep warm.
Are Tiny Houses Protected From Theft?
Installing a home security system can protect you from theft when you’re away and give you peace of mind at night.
How To Storm Proof Your Tiny House
Storm proofing your tiny house is the best way to make it as safe as possible during extreme weather.
You should also take steps to safely store your possessions during a storm. Unplug electronics, remove objects near windows, and store valuable items away from areas at risk of flooding.
Steps To Protect Your Tiny Home
- Anchoring Your House
- Reinforcing Your Windows
- Protecting Electrical Connections
- Installing Proper Insulation
- Securing The Roof
How To Anchor Down A Tiny House
While your tiny house is usually quite secure just sitting on its trailer, high winds during storms can lift the trailer off the ground. This is why anchoring your tiny house can help protect it from damage during extreme weather conditions.
There are three main parts to a basic tiny house anchoring system
- Anchors are steel rods that screw into the ground. They are usually several feet long and stick into the ground. There are several types of anchors designed for different ground conditions ranging from sand to concrete.
- Steel straps attach to the anchors and fasten around the frame of your tiny house trailer. Steel straps have adjustable bolts and the number you need may vary depending on your house and the building standards of the state you live in.
- Piers are the blocks that your home sits on. Piers are usually made up of concrete blocks on a concrete pad, but some homes may have solid concrete piers.
- What extreme weather conditions do you face where you live?
- What precautions do you take to protect your tiny house during a storm?
I built my own tiny house back in 2014, it’s located at the base of a 15 foot shear rock cliff. The shear rock cliff protects the tiny house from any high winds/tornadoes coming from the south, southwest, west and northwest.
I haven’t built my Tiny House yet but am planning on living this way.
I live in Maine where snow and lots of cold weather abound. My biggest fear would be frozen water lines and etc.
But like I said, I’m a newbie here and not a builder by trade.
We’re in South Florida so we have Hurricanes. Considering in buying a tiny house.
I dream of owning a tiny home. I don’y currently have one so I have no words of wisdom to share. I do want to say that this article was very informative and I hope many people just learning about tiny homes find it. Thanks!
Theft. What I don’t understand yet is the fact you’re required to have a 2nd point of egress in case of fire but since it’s the necessary evil to have burglar bars installed on all 1st floor doors and windows how is this achievable?
Very helpful.
2 concerns.
Solar panels installed on roof, high wind and tropical storms,hurricanes I would probably evacuate with my TH.
2nd concern.North east living with solar panels on the roof and snow storms and collections.