Tiny House, Huge Windows, All Heart
Tiny House, Huge Windows, All Heart
Tiny house popularity has been growing around the world for a few years now. And it seems the trend is still going strong in our neck of the woods too, with tiny homes popping up all over Brisbane and the Gold Coast. And really, it’s no surprise… Smaller homes = smaller bills! Not to mention lower costs to build or smaller loan repayments to own your own home sooner.
What we love here at Glass Now is the ability to downsize your life, without the need to lose any of that beautiful, natural light we love and thrive on here in Australia. In fact, when it comes to tiny houses, windows are some of the biggest features. 10 minutes searching images of tiny homes on Pinterest or listening to expert tiny home builders and you will see just how important windows, glass, skylights, glass doors and even mirrors really are in making a tiny house feel open, free spaces that flow with light and compliment the natural surroundings or stuffy, cramped and congested box huts.
When it comes to a simpler way of life in general, tiny homes help us to bring balance to our modern age tendencies towards an over consumeristic lifestyle. Less ‘stuff’, leads to more joy if you ask Marie Kondo. But if you ask a true tiny house enthusiast, they say its not about having less, its about making the most of the space you have and making your house really work to suit your individual lifestyle.
Tiny homes provide that extra space on an existing property for a parent’s retreat; teenager’s space; private guest area or the possibility to help pay some of the mortgage through private rental or even Air BNB. But beware – in Brisbane, the local council states no more than 5 unrelated people are allowed to live on the same lot. So like all construction projects, it’s a great idea to talk to some experts from the planning stages to save you hefty fines and costs in the long run.
There are other huge advantages to adding a tiny house to your existing property. For one, in Queensland, if the house is built on the same lot as the main house, it can be classified as a Granny Flat with the same minimal council restriction to size and construction. The fact that granny flats only need to be assessed by a private certifier and don’t generally need council approval, tiny houses are great addition for space with less restrictions and rules.
Here in the Sunshine State, our Granny Flats can take advantage of our natural surroundings with glass-filled tiny homes that can meld the outdoors seamlessly with patio doors. This provides an elegant extension to the interiors and creates a true open space for family living. Or to really create the sense of a larger living area, Bi-fold doors allow you the flexibility to capture all available light, breeze and maximise a unique view or garden area to enjoy.
Construction rules vary in different areas. In Brisbane and the Gold Coast, if you plan to build your tiny house on vacant land, you will need to get council approval for construction and will be bound by a set of rules that include things like minimum size and building codes. This may be a deterrent to some, but it also offers you some freedom in your design and layout which can be a huge bonus if you have a view you want to capitalise on with beautiful bay windows; a tiny house deck or even a rooftop garden!
Decorative or obscured glass can maximise your privacy and enable you to divide two rooms without losing your free flowing light. When you have limited space, the ability to keep complete discretion is incredibly important. Tiny homes pack a real punch when it comes to individual style too and designer glass can create a unique feel or tie in a theme which tiny houses do so well. French doors may just be the aesthetic style you hope for to create that ‘Cottage’ look on your property. With elegance and symmetry, French doors take nothing away from their functionality or practicality.
If you have the wandering Aussie spirit, and are keen to take your tiny home on the road, a whole set of other rules apply. Homes on wheels become classified as a light truck or caravan and therefore have to comply with Motor Vehicle Standards. If you are in Brisbane and the Gold Coast areas, it is important to check Queensland’s requirements on these and best to seek legal advice before creating your dream home on wheels.
Your windows and glass features need to be aesthetically pleasing but they also need to consider things like cross breeze, rain and ventilation. In a tiny house it is essential to think about windows that are moisture resistant and rated for your particular needs. Function is just as important as style and maintenance. Awning windows can be the perfect solution for loft areas, as to keep them slightly open when our beautiful rains come to Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Internally, frameless doors offer luxurious and contemporary styling with easy maintenance leaving nowhere for mould or mildew to hide. And because all our frameless doors at GlassNow are tempered glass, you know they are extremely durable and safe. While externally, sliding doors may be the best option for their awesome space saving ability. With durable roller hardware and various lock option, you are limited by your imagination when it comes to functionality in your tiny home.
Don’t forget we can even provide Pet doors for tiny homes too, so no family member is left out in the cold. So no matter which windows or glass doors you choose for your tiny house, consider functionality, durability and symmetry for the overall appeal and be consistent with their placement to balance out your complete design. Our qualified glaziers (Brisbane as well as Gold Coast) are here to help, so feel free to call us if you need some advice for your tiny house today.
