See the Difference

NOAH Certification

Cahill Works, a proud member of NOAH Certification, strives for the utmost excellence in tiny house safety and quality. As the national leader in third-party certification for tiny houses on wheels, NOAH utilizes the ANSI 119.5, the International Residential Code (IRC), and their own rigorous standards. By strictly adhering to NOAH’s codes and requirements, we guarantee the very best in our tiny houses.

To learn more about NOAH, click here.

To learn more about RVIA, click here.

Trailer

Our Scandinavian Tiny House ADU is ingeniously built using the exceptional Iron Eagle PAD series trailers. These trailers are purposefully designed to cater to the unique needs of tiny houses, employing steel tubing as the primary component for the frame. This ensures unparalleled flatness and rigidity, even when subjected to uneven loads. The structural weight of our trailers is strategically concentrated on the outer frame, providing robust support for your walls and roof. To adhere to legal highway width limits, our trailers are intentionally crafted 2 inches narrower, accommodating the thickness of exterior siding and trim. After extensive collaboration with various trailer manufacturers, we can confidently assert that the Iron Eagle PAD series stands as the unparalleled choice.

Insulation

By utilizing two types of insulation, we ensure that each component offers specific advantages. After the framing and sheathing process, we employ closed cell spray foam to seal the connection points between the sheathing and the structure, creating an impenetrable air barrier. This technique effectively prevents temperature transfer and condensation, making it an unparalleled choice. While closed cell foam is only used in a small amount for sealing, our primary insulation selection is Rockwool. Its exceptional density provides three times better sound dampening compared to other options, leaving our visitors amazed at the tranquility within our tinyhouses. Furthermore, Rockwool outperforms other insulation types in humid areas by allowing moisture to pass through, mitigating buildup concerns. Last but not least, its remarkable fire safety properties enable it to withstand temperatures of up to 1200 degrees. With R23-rated floors and ceilings, and R15-rated walls, we surpass the insulation values offered by many other builders.

Thermal Break

A properly designed tiny house built on a trailer can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs. Steel, being an efficient conductor of heat, can compromise the energy efficiency of your tiny home if in direct contact with the subfloor, regardless of the amount of insulation used. At Cahill Works, our frame design eliminates any points of contact between the trailer steel and wood framing through the use of polyurethane foam and specialized stiff rubber products. This prevents the condensation of moisture and the formation of frost on the steel, which can lead to mold and rot issues that can ultimately destroy the tiny house.

Windows

At Cahill Works, we understand the importance of top-quality windows that not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also stand the test of time. That’s why we offer aluminum black kynar finish windows that resist fading while delivering a sleek modern look. Our windows are designed with thermal breaks, acting as a barrier to significantly reduce heat conductivity and ensure optimal energy efficiency. Aluminum, known for its lightweight yet incredibly strong properties, offers excellent structural integrity and a slim profile. Additionally, aluminum is a sustainable material, highly recyclable and known for its thermal stability, making it an ideal choice for areas with high humidity and harsh temperature changes. Our windows also boast substantial glass package components, including argon-filled chambers that minimize heat passage through the glass. With our commitment to high-quality craftsmanship, our windows provide even sightlines, resulting in a balanced and visually appealing appearance from both the inside and outside.

Exterior Doors

Our fiberglass doors with flush glazing and preinstalled mini blinds not only add to the aesthetic appeal of the interiors but also offer practical benefits. The inclusion of full windows in the door allows ample natural light to brighten up the space, while the preinstalled mini blinds effectively block out excess light when needed. With the added convenience of the mini blinds or shades being out of the way during opening and closing, our fiberglass doors are a significant upgrade compared to the commonly used steel slab doors seen in other tiny houses.

Roofing

We pride ourselves on using only the highest quality materials for our roofing projects. Our 24-gauge steel roofing, combined with the noah prescribed fastener spacing, exceeds both international building code standards and the code standards of hurricane-prone areas. Underneath the steel, we utilize the industry’s best underlayment, Sharkskin Ultra, which acts as a reliable water and ice shield during severe weather conditions. With a remarkable 50-year warranty and protection from ice dams, our roofs are designed to perform flawlessly for half a century, likely surpassing the lifespan of the structure itself. It baffles us why any builder would opt for alternative products, such as asphalt shingles or rolled-on asphalt, which tend to fail much quicker. These options are simply unsuitable for a tiny house.

Water Heater

We prioritize the use of exterior mounted LP instant water heaters for our Tiny House builds. By opting for LP, we not only alleviate the electric load imposed on the tiny house, but also significantly reduce electricity consumption during ignition, with a mere tenth of an amp required. In contrast, electric instant water heaters can consume anywhere between 125 to 150 amps while heating water, while tanked water heaters demand 30 amps or more. Despite most tiny houses being equipped with a 50 amp panel, they can function perfectly fine with just a 20 amp breaker. To put it into perspective, our 12000 btu mini split operates on a mere 10 amps, while simultaneously having all LED lights and fans running collectively utilizing under 2 amps.

We opt for an outdoor-specific water heater, emphasizing safety by housing the combustion of gases outside the home. While issues with LP connections and minor leaks are infrequent, we advocate for their placement in non-enclosed areas as a precautionary measure. We firmly believe that compromising safety for a lower-cost alternative is not advisable. In addition to the safety concerns associated with indoor combustion, we prioritize aesthetics, avoiding the exposed appearance of water heaters and PEX tubing commonly observed in the installations of several other builders within bathrooms

Exterior Finishing

The modern clean lines and beautiful design of our tiny house are a result of careful consideration. We have chosen to finish the exterior of our tiny house with a high-end modern open jointed larch cladding, which not only adds to the aesthetics but also serves as an integrated water management system. Open-joint cladding outperforms traditional options as it allows for faster water drainage, improved airflow, and better drying behind the cladding. Our meticulous installation process begins with creating an air seal using specialized flashing on the sheathing. We then apply a specialized house wrap designed specifically for rainscreen and open jointed cladding, providing a 25-year warranty guaranteeing performance against any weather-related elements. To ensure optimum air flow and water drainage off the wall, we install specialized batten that separates the Larch from the house by about a half inch. Finally, the Larch is securely adhered to the wall using thousands of semi hidden fasteners.

Interior Doors

We utilize solid core doors exclusively for the interior of the Scandinavian Tiny House ADU. The bedroom features a full solid core door, while the bathroom is equipped with a solid core full frosted glass door. Opting for solid core doors is crucial for effective sound reduction, ensuring enhanced privacy and uninterrupted sleep, especially when accommodating multiple individuals within the tiny house. The sandblasted glass door in the bathroom permits natural light from the main living space’s large windows to enter while maintaining utmost privacy.

We exclusively employ pocket style hanging mechanisms for our interior doors, preferring them over barn or hinged door systems. Pocket doors offer superior space utilization compared to hinged doors, and barn doors tend to offer minimal sound or light containment as they do not align flush with the wall when closed. Moreover, barn doors occupy valuable wall space when open. While other value-focused home builders commonly opt for cheaper hollow core doors with quicker installation using hinged or barn-style hanging methods, our commitment lies in maximizing both functionality and aesthetic appeal through the deliberate selection of pocket-style door systems.

Interior Walls

When it comes to choosing the interior walls, the decision is a no-brainer for us. We opt for tongue and groove pine planks due to their exceptional qualities. Given that tiny houses on wheels are designed for mobility, it is essential to utilize materials that can withstand transportation. Tongue and groove pine, along with furniture grade finished plywood, not only offer an appealing aesthetic but also provide robust and long-lasting walls. On the other hand, the commonly used, cheaper, and quicker-to-install option of drywall falls short. Its susceptibility to damage during transportation, such as cracking and popping of seams and fasteners, is just the tip of the iceberg. Drywall is also highly vulnerable to water damage, leading to discoloration, warping, and even black mold issues. Moreover, it offers poor insulation and no sound dampening qualities. In contrast, tongue and groove pine boasts not only beauty and longevity but also superior acoustic properties. The additional cost and effort of its installation are undoubtedly outweighed by these numerous advantages.

Floors

In all our tiny houses at Cahill Works, our utmost priority is to use natural materials with minimal to zero VOCs. Just like our walls, countertops, and built-ins, we believe that the use of real wood creates an unparalleled living environment. Flooring is no exception to this principle, which is why we utilize engineered Maple plank flooring as our standard option. In contrast, many other tiny houses opt for Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring, which is notorious for being the least eco-friendly choice. LVP releases harmful volatile organic compounds into the living space for years, resulting in both an unpleasant chemical odor and a physically toxic environment. We take pride in excluding this detrimental product from our tiny homes, as it is not the right choice for those who value a healthy and natural living environment.

Outlets

Each outlet within our tiny houses is meticulously wired to accommodate a 20 amp connection, surpassing the standard 15 amp wiring and receptacles typically found in cheaper installations. In our pursuit of enhanced aesthetics, every outlet is equipped with a decorator-style receptacle featuring a screwless faceplate. Moreover, our non-GFCI receptacles are furnished with USB Type-A and Type-C high-speed charging capabilities.

In strict adherence to code compliance and safety, our kitchen, bathroom, and outdoor outlets are equipped with GFCI connections. Our commitment to NOAH certification mandates the inclusion of two dedicated 20 amp GFCI kitchen outlets above the counter, along with a 20 amp GFCI beneath the cooktop. Additionally, a dedicated 20 amp GFCI is provided for those considering the replacement of a standard toilet with an electric or gas incinerating toilet.

Further aligning with NOAH requirements, a weather-rated 20 amp GFCI outlet is strategically positioned outside the trailer, situated near the bump out. Each meticulous choice, including outlet specifications, reflects our unwavering dedication to delivering an exceptionally superior end product.

Ceiling Fan

The bedroom of the Scandinavian Tiny House ADU features a convenient pocket door that allows for privacy and isolation. To ensure continuous airflow while maintaining privacy, we have installed a stylish ceiling fan. This sleek model offers adjustable lighting and fan speed, allowing for personalized comfort within the compact living space. At Cahill Works, we strive to enhance the environment of your tiny house, providing optimal comfort and functionality.

Venting

In any tiny house, venting and air control are major concerns due to the rapid buildup of moisture and cooking fumes. Improperly vented houses can lead to the growth of black mold/mildew, causing health issues and structural damage. To address this, we employ two types of vents and utilize electric cooling and heating systems to effectively expel damp or polluted air. In the bathroom, a fan equipped with a humidity sensor automatically activates to draw out moisture when it detects its presence, particularly beneficial during showers and to eliminate humidity buildup. Our second fan, a powerful kitchen fan with high CFM ratings, effectively removes cooking fumes that can rapidly accumulate in small spaces. However, our most crucial method of maintaining a moisture-free structure is our mini split heat pump AC. By providing both electric heating and cooling, this system effectively eliminates moisture from the air. It’s worth noting that we often come across subpar tiny houses lacking fans with humidity sensors, completely disregarding kitchen exhaust fans, or utilizing indoor propane heaters or gas ranges that introduce substantial moisture into the air. Without proper venting, these poorly constructed tiny houses are doomed to a limited lifespan and costly repairs.

Kitchen

We have painstakingly curated our kitchen design and furnishings to combine modern aesthetics with adaptability and ease of use. We have chosen ikea cabinets, known for their sleek appearance and interchangeable features, allowing us to create the perfect layout for our customers. In addition to their practicality, these cabinets also offer the advantage of easy repair or replacement in the long run. Our Scandinavian tiny house boasts a high-end workstation sink that maximizes efficiency and maintains a clean food prep zone, making it an ideal solution for space-saving in tiny homes. The kitchen is equipped with a 2 burner induction cooktop, featuring a black ceramic surface that effortlessly cleans up and delivers instant heat, reducing cooking time when compared to traditional electric or gas cooktops. Complementing the cooktop is a high CFM exhaust hood that effectively vents to the outside. Furthermore, our Scandinavian Tiny House ADU presents a thick full wood butcher block countertop that seamlessly matches the interior ambiance. Unlike our competitors, who often rely on discount cabinets and appliances available at big-box retailers, we prioritize size, design, and quality to ensure a finished kitchen that surpasses expectations.

Lofts

We prioritize the safety and comfort of our tiny houses. While lofts may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with mobility issues or young children, we have made a conscious decision not to include them in our designs. Our primary concern is to provide a secure environment for those looking to rent their ADU or use it as a guest house for family and friends. Additionally, by keeping the sleeping area on the main floor, we ensure a seamless flow and optimal utilization of space in our tiny houses. This strategic approach not only guarantees an excellent living experience but also allows for the natural flow of air and light, enhancing the overall ambiance.

If you are intersted in having a loft, we are pleased to explore the option of incorporating one into your custom tiny house. While we can easily add storage lofts, it is important to note that they cannot be approved as sleeping areas. Our commitment to safety and creating the best environment for your tiny house leads us to refrain from building lofted bedrooms. We believe there are safer options that better serve the overall purpose of your tiny house.