Go Green and save money with Seattle Tiny Homes

The growing public imperative to make your home “green” is difficult to follow through with due to the expense and inconvenience associated with living a more environmentally friendly life. Seattle Tiny Homes has come up with a unique alternative to home ownership that not only makes a positive impact on the environment but could also save you a significant chunk of money.

Seattle Tiny Homes is a company born out of the cottage movement that designs and manufactures green homes. Founded by Sharon Read, the company appeals to homeowners who want to go green and cut costs but don’t want to undertake an expensive project, like installing solar panels, or sacrifice comfort by not using air conditioning.

According to Sharon, the idea of the tiny home was simple: living smaller means living more simply, inexpensively and being more environmentally friendly.

The homes come in a number of models but all of them are mobile, built on a frame similar to an RV, and the quality goes well beyond what’s generally expected from a mobile home.

“Our commitment is to quality,” says Sharon.

The framing is constructed from heavy duty steel platforms and high quality wood components in the siding, doors, and windows.

Sharon says that buyers can customize their utilities in their home, choosing from models that are completely wired for plumbing and heat, with the choice of more environmentally sound features that include composting toilets and gray water systems.

Sharon acknowledges that Seattle Tiny Homes are definitely non-traditional living situations and might be a difficult downsize for families. However, since units are usually smaller 200 square feet, buyers are paying for exactly as much space as they need and most homeowners pay off their homes quickly.

Many buyers, Sharon points out, don’t actually use the Tiny Homes as their primary residence. The structures are a great way to have an aging parent move closer without having them move into an already crowded house. Sharon also says that some people use them as guest houses, or as private spaces for college students seeking greater independence while living at home.

Listen to the full conversation on Home Matters:

For more information about the advantages of the tiny home movement, go to SeattleTinyHomes.com, or check out Sharon’s tip sheet.