Just like building a custom home, every tiny house is unique. Building on a smaller scale allows the homeowner to really dig into every detail, every finish, and every material that is being used. Tiny house owners must use as efficient design tools and building materials as they possibly can to make the most of their tiny home. This is where the Insulspan SIP system shines. Being a structurally insulated panel, not only is the process of enclosing the shell complete in one step, but you get superior energy efficiency.
The speed of installing an Insulspan Ready-To-Assemble System was put to the test one Saturday morning in July when we arrived in site to help the homeowner to construct his Tumbleweed home. Armed with tools and an installation manual provided by Insulspan, we began the process of assembling the home on an approved, weight-bearing trailer.
Following the plans, we assembled the house piece by piece, with the only difference being the need for the engineered fastening system to secure it to the trailer. By mid-afternoon, we had a completely enclosed shell that created an insulated building envelope.
You can follow our progress throughout the day in the gallery below:
- The bottom plate is secured and engineered brackets were used to attach the wall panels to the trailer. As you can see, lines were taped to show the interior walls of the home.
- Since the SIPS were part of a Ready-To-Assemble package, the windows and doors were completed in the manufacturing facility.
- As you can see here, the homeowner has a unique design, made possible by the SIPs.
- Once all the walls are installed, we moved on to the first of two roof panels.
- By 2:30 in the afternoon, the last roof panel was being set in place, completing the enclosure.

Windows and doors installed, and completed house wrapped, this tiny house is ready for exterior finishes.
The homeowner, who’s desire to have a home that he could easily place on his wooded property in Northern Michigan, completed the house wrap (provided by Insulspan), and began to work on his exterior finishes.
“One of the nicest things about a tiny house, is I could pull it into my barn and work on finishing it at my pace.”
With his Tiny House complete, the homeowner is ready to take it to its final destination in Northern Michigan.
“I could literally heat my home with one space heater because of how energy efficient it is! And I can’t believe how fast and easy it went together. It saved me a lot of steps later on.”
Originally published on Plasti-Fab. To read the original article, please click here. #Follow @mytinyhousetrip as I gather ideas and concepts for my upcoming tiny house build! www.mytinyhousetrip.com