They were too small for possible intruders to get in, big enough so you could have quality lighting throughout the day. But the bigger the building, the larger the windows became. From churches and castles of the medieval period to the modern glass skyscrapers of the 21st century, we’ve come a long way since yet it seems our love and obsession for windows as a fundamental architectural element never stopped. No matter how impossible or unimaginable it might seem, we find a way to fit them in!

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In the last few decades, a rising trend of tiny homes has taken the market by storm. The bad economy and the fluctuating prices of real estate made many wonder whether there’s a better way to live their lives and a cheaper one at that! Tiny homes were the perfect solution. Compact and well-designed, they had everything you’d possibly need and want from a home.

Bathroom, living room, even a nice bedroom, and all that while taking up just a few square meters while at the same time being eco-friendly and conscious about the use of material. But there is another problem; windows! No matter how well designed, you need to have natural light in your home. Bringing the question, how can you do it without compromising the whole structure? There are a few ways, and quite clever ones while we’re at it. In the text below, we’ll discuss exactly that and dive into some key considerations you’ll need to have in mind while trying to install windows in your tiny homes. Read on and enjoy!

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Size and Placement

A tiny home is a minimalist miracle. It’s a perfect symbiosis of everything a modern man needs to live while being mindful of space and waste management. And the windows are no exception to the rule. But how is it possible?

Let’s look at size and placement first. Windows should be strategically placed to maximize natural light and ventilation while maintaining privacy. This greatly depends on the shape and the size of the home itself. Some homes are going more for length, for example, ex-storage containers being turned into homes often have one big window at the very rear end of the home for maximizing light disruption across the whole area. And that’s fine; that’s a perfect placement of the window considering the container's length, size, and shape.

Whether it’s the front or rear end, it doesn’t matter, but it does play a role with tiny homes that have several levels. That’s a bit different and requires a different approach as well. Large windows can create an illusion of a more spacious interior, making the home feel less confined. However, you’ll need to be conscious of the placement to make sure you’re not exposing yourself to excessive heat loss in colder months or heat gain during summer. The best way to approach the issue is to place windows on opposite walls, making sure you’re getting proper cross-ventilation while at the same time, your whole house will have natural light coming in from several points.

If we’re talking about a two-level tiny home, placing two small-sized windows on the roof and several mid-size windows on the first level should be more than sufficient to provide you with more than enough light during the day.

Energy Consumption 

It might seem unrelated to the topic but believe it or not, energy consumption is closely related to the placement of windows and how well they reduce the loss of heat or cold depending on the season. The less you need to put on the heating, the less the bill will be at the end of the month. We’ve hinted at it in the previous point, but we’ll talk about it a bit more now. 

Since tiny homes have limited space, poorly insulated windows can lead to significant heat loss in winter and overheating in summer, resulting in higher energy consumption. This can result in a significant increase in your monthly expenses, so the best way to deal with the issue is to make sure you’re getting the right frame and type to prevent this from ever happening.

Double- or triple-glazed windows with Low-E coatings help regulate indoor temperatures by reflecting heat inside during colder months and reducing heat absorption during warmer seasons. Plus, with a proper frame, you’ll be on the safe side and you’ll ensure minimizing heat loss when it’s necessary. So, size has nothing to do with the overall cost of the window; it’s all about the quality of the frame and the glass used to make it. The more you invest now, the safer you’ll be in the long run.

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Proper Ventilation and Airflow 

All these points are closely related to one another; as we dive into the topic more and more, it’s becoming obvious how even the tiniest little detail can, in the end, affect the build quality of your home. Now, first, let’s talk about why proper ventilation is important! First and foremost, a good ventilation system makes sure there’s no build-up of moisture, enhancing the overall quality of the air and your life. In small spaces that are especially exposed to the outside environmental factors, moisture and condensation are quite common. This is easily preventable with new windows that are built according to the best regulations and from high-quality materials.

So what you’re looking for is operable windows, such as awning or casement windows, that allow for better air circulation and fresh airflow. And by placing them on the opposite walls, you’ll achieve that cross-ventilation we mentioned earlier. All of this helps in the end to regulate temperature and prevent stuffiness. So, before making that needed decision on the type of window you’re going to install, make sure these 3 points are taken into consideration, as they’re the foundation everything else is built on.

Waterproofing 

With the first three points out of the way, we can now dive into the finer details of window placement for tiny homes. And of course, each next point is equally important and plays its part but we’ve now established the foundation and you probably get the main idea in terms of what to look for exactly. Tiny homes often are mobile and change environments quite often. The changing climate and the outside factors are something you’ll need to have in mind.

We talked about the danger of condensation and the possibility of moisture appearing within your home so the next logical thing to do to prevent this from ever happening is to make sure your windows are waterproof and double insulated so no moisture or excess water is ever going through. 

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Weight 

Believe it or not, after so many different elements and installments, the overall weight adds up. So another thing you’ll need to consider is the weight and how it can add to the home, making it less compact and mobile than it’s intended to be. With every pound added, the mobility and overall practicality of the tiny home, you’ll need to look for windows that are lightweight and made from healthy and sustainable materials that are strong yet light as a feather.

Well, not as a feather but you do get the main point. So, making sure you’re counting the pounds and taking care of the overall stress they put on the structure can prevent you from a lot of trouble later on. 

Safety 

Another thing you’ll need to have in mind is the safety of the windows. Remember how we talked about the initial uses of windows a long, long time ago and how people would protect themselves from intruders by making the windows tiny so that a normal-sized person couldn’t fit? Well, with time we’ve become more sophisticated when it comes to security measures.

Nevertheless, even nowadays, especially with tiny homes constantly on the move, you’ll need to put in an effort to make sure you’re safe and sound. Windows should be equipped with strong locks, impact-resistant glass, and, if necessary, security bars or shatterproof films to deter intruders.

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The Costs 

And last but not least, there are some budget costs you’ll need to take into account before making the needed move. High-quality windows can be expensive, but they are a long-term investment in energy efficiency and comfort. Budgeting for durable, well-insulated windows upfront can save money on heating and cooling costs over time. So, although it seems like you’re losing money but spending it more, you’re saving it by making smart investments that will save you a lot of trouble later on.

Who would have thought that you would make such a big deal out of windows for tiny homes? It seems impossible and for some almost ridiculous but it’s not. Whoever wants their tiny house to be a real home for them and their partner's family needs to take into account all these fine details that can help them achieve that comfort.