Author: Faheem Rafique

This tool focuses on the “Nighttime Heat Loss” problem. Windows are holes in your insulation bucket (R-2 vs R-20 walls). This tool demonstrates how a properly sealed DIY window quilt can turn a terrible window into a decent wall at night. It features a “Convection Loop Visualizer” that shows why hanging a curtain without a top valence (pelmet) or side tracks is almost useless, as it creates a “cold air pump” that actively cools your room. Window Quilt Simulator Stop the “Cold Air Waterfall” with thermal curtains. 1. Window Setup Base Window Single Pane R-1 (Cold!) Double Pane R-3 (Standard)…

This tool illustrates the physics of Reflectivity vs. Emissivity. It demonstrates why a thin sheet of shiny foil can stop 97% of radiant solar heat from entering your tiny house, but only if installed correctly with a dedicated air gap. It features a “Heat Ray Visualizer” that shows solar radiation penetrating standard roofing materials versus bouncing off a radiant barrier, and calculates the potential AC energy savings for hot climates like Texas and Florida. Radiant Barrier Simulator Reflect solar heat and reduce AC bills in hot climates. 1. Roof Configuration Roof Surface Area (sq ft) Installation Method No Radiant Barrier…

This tool is critical for anyone building in the mountains or the north. It visualizes the difference between Ground Snow Load (what the weatherman says) and Roof Snow Load (what your rafters actually feel). It features a “Snow Shedding Simulator” that demonstrates how increasing your roof pitch can drastically reduce the weight on your structure by allowing snow to slide off before it accumulates to dangerous levels. Snow Load Calculator Ground Load vs. Roof Load: Pitch matters. Ground Snow Load (Pg) psf Check your local building codes. Roof Pitch 2:12 (Flat-ish) 4:12 (Low) 8:12 (Medium) 12:12 (Steep) 16:12 (Very Steep)…

This tool teaches the golden rule of winter plumbing: “Heat Tape creates the heat, Insulation keeps it.” Many tiny house owners fail because they apply heat tape but skip the foam insulation, causing the wind to strip the heat away faster than the tape can generate it. It features a “Spiral vs. Straight” Visualizer that calculates exactly how much extra tape you need to spiral-wrap your pipes for extreme cold, and a Power Monitor to warn you if your winterizing plan will trip your breaker. PEX Freeze Guard Simulator Don’t burst a pipe. Calculate heat tape & insulation needs. Pipe…

This tool demonstrates the “Gas Chamber Effect”—how quickly two people breathing in a sealed 200 sq ft box can raise CO2 levels to brain-fogging concentrations. It simulates the rise in parts-per-million (PPM) over a single night of sleep. It also includes a “Sensor Tech Check” section, explaining why cheap “eCO2” sensors (found in many budget monitors) are often useless trash compared to NDIR (Non-Dispersive Infrared) sensors. Tiny House Air Quality Sim CO2 Buildup & Sensor Technology Guide. 1. Room Parameters Floor Area (sq ft) Ceiling Height (ft) Occupants (Breathing) 1 Person 2 People 4 People Ventilation Status Sealed Tight (Night…

This tool helps builders visualize the difference between a standard “echo box” wall and a properly soundproofed assembly. It demonstrates two key physics concepts: Mass (using dense Rockwool instead of light fiberglass) and Decoupling (using Resilient Channel to break the vibration path so sound can’t travel through the studs). It includes a “Noise Dampening Visualizer” that shows sound waves trying to penetrate your wall, illustrating how each layer strips away decibels before they reach your ears. Tiny House Soundproofer Rockwool vs. Fiberglass & The Magic of Resilient Channel. 1. Noise Source Highway Traffic (Airborne) Heavy Rain (Impact) 2. Wall Assembly…

This tool tackles the #1 nightmare of container builds: “Container Rain.” It simulates the physics of a steel box in winter, visualizing how warm interior air hits the freezing cold steel shell to create indoor rain. It demonstrates why Closed Cell Spray Foam is the industry standard for containers, as it is the only method that seals the corrugations to prevent hidden mold growth behind your walls. Container Rain Simulator Why standard insulation fails in shipping containers. 1. Environment Outside Temp 20°F Indoor Humidity 60% 2. Insulation Method Bare Metal (No Insulation) Direct contact with steel. Fiberglass Batt + Studs…

This tool corrects a common and dangerous misconception in tiny house building: that you can vent a cathedral ceiling (vaulted ceiling) using Gable Vents. It features an “Airflow Physics Simulator” that shows exactly what happens inside the rafter bays. Roof Venting Visualizer Ridge Vents vs. Gable Vents: Don’t rot your rafters. 1. Select Strategy Ridge + Soffit (Cold Roof) Continuous baffles from eave to peak. Gable Vents Only Vents on the end walls. Unvented (Hot Roof) Spray foam only. No air gap. Rafter Depth 2×6 (5.5″) 2×8 (7.25″) 2×10 (9.25″) Length (ft) Run Simulation Roof Deck Status COOL & DRY…

This tool is specifically tailored for Tiny Houses, where high occupant density and small air volume create unique moisture challenges. It uses the AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers) sizing guidelines, adapted for small spaces, to determine the exact “Pints Per Day” removal capacity you need. Features for Tiny House Builders: Tiny House Dehumidifier Sizer Compressor vs. Desiccant: Find the right tech for your space. 1. Moisture Load Square Footage sq ft Current Condition Moderately Damp (Musty smell) Very Damp (Clammy feel) Wet (Visible condensation on windows) Extremely Wet (Puddles/Mold) Occupants 2 Breathing/cooking adds ~5 pints per person! 2. Environment…

This tool demonstrates the superpower of tiny homes: Mobility. Unlike a traditional house, you can rotate your home to catch the sun. The calculator uses your specific Latitude to determine the sun’s angle in Winter vs. Summer, helping you design the perfect roof overhang to harvest free heat in December while blocking the scorching sun in July. It features a “Sun Angle Visualizer” that simulates the sun’s path and shadow casting in real-time. Passive Solar Simulator Design your overhangs to harvest heat & block glare. Location (Latitude) 25° (Florida) 40° (Denver/NYC) 60° (Alaska) Window Height in Eave Overhang in House…

This tool pits the Mini-Split (the gold standard for tiny homes) against the humble Window Unit. It calculates the long-term electricity savings of high-SEER inverter technology vs. the low upfront cost of a window shaker. It features an “Aesthetics & Noise Visualizer” that demonstrates not just the energy difference, but the quality-of-life difference—showing how a window unit blocks your view and generates noise right next to your head, while a mini-split keeps the noise outside and the view clear. Mini-Split vs. Window AC Efficiency (SEER), Noise, and Aesthetics Analyzer. 1. Cooling Needs Cooled Area (Sq Ft) Hours / Day Months…

This tool illustrates the “Jet Engine Effect” of standard RV furnaces (Suburban/Atwood) compared to quieter alternatives. It calculates not just the Propane Cost, but also the Battery Drain (a massive hidden cost of forced-air systems) and visualizes the Decibel Level to show why you might need earplugs to sleep. RV Furnace Reality Check Noise, Battery Drain, and Propane Cost Calculator. Heater Type Standard RV Furnace (Suburban/Atwood) High-Eff RV Furnace (95% AFUE) Direct Vent Wall Heater (Dickinson) Diesel Heater (For comparison) Cheap to buy, expensive to run. Forced air blower. Duty Cycle (Run Time) 50% (12 hrs/day) Mild Winter Freezing Propane…

This tool is designed to settle the “Propane vs. Diesel” debate for tiny house dwellers. It visualizes the massive amount of moisture unvented propane heaters dump into your home versus the “Dry Heat” of a diesel parking heater. It also includes a “The Chinese Heater Gamble” section, comparing the $150 generic units (CDH) against the $1,500 Webasto/Eberspacher units, visualizing the trade-off between “Upfront Cost” and “Maintenance Headaches” (Error codes, altitude issues). Diesel Heater Analyzer Dry Heat vs. Propane Moisture & The “Chinese Heater” Gamble. 1. Heating Habits Hours used per day Comparison Mode Unvented Propane Mr. Buddy / Camco Diesel…

This tool is a lifesaver for tiny house DIYers. It addresses the dangerous misconception that “if the wall doesn’t feel hot, it’s safe.” It educates users on Pyrolysis—the invisible chemical process that lowers wood’s ignition temperature over years of exposure—and calculates safe distances based on shielding types (NFPA 211 standards). It features a “Heat Zone Visualizer” that simulates the radiant heat field. As you slide the stove closer to the wall, you can see if the heat envelope overlaps with the combustible wall surface. Tiny Stove Clearance Calculator Safety distances for Cubic Mini, Dwarf, and more. Stove Model Uncertified Cast…

This tool is a reality check for off-grid builders. It visualizes the massive power difference between Electric Mats (which can drain a $5,000 battery bank in 3 hours) and Hydronic Systems (which use propane for heat and sip tiny amounts of electricity for the pump). It includes a “Battery Drain Simulator” to show exactly how fast your lights will go out if you try to run electric floor heat on solar. Radiant Floor Power Analyzer Electric vs. Hydronic: Can your batteries survive? Heated Floor Area (Sq Ft) Heating System Electric Mat (Resistance) Simple install, uses 120V AC. Hydronic (Water +…

This tool helps builders justify the high price tag of units like the Lunos e2. It visualizes the “Energy Penalty” of ventilating a tiny house by cracking a window versus using a Heat Recovery Ventilator. It features a “Ceramic Core Simulator” that demonstrates exactly how the Lunos system captures heat from stale exhaust air and transfers it to fresh incoming air, retaining up to 90% of your energy. HRV Efficiency Simulator Window vs. Lunos: Calculate heat loss & savings. Outside Temp 20°F Inside Target 70°F Ventilation Method Open Window / Fan (0% Efficiency) Panasonic FV-04 (66% Efficiency) Lunos e2 /…

This tool helps builders navigate the “Headroom vs. Warmth” dilemma. It visualizes the difference between stuffing insulation inside the trailer frame (saving height but freezing your toes due to thermal bridging) versus building a “False Floor” on top (losing 4-6 inches of loft clearance but creating a cozy, decoupled thermal envelope). It includes a “Cold Foot Simulator” that visually demonstrates how cold steel conducts temperature through the floor if not properly isolated. Floor Insulation Strategy In-Frame vs. False Floor: Weighing warmth against headroom. Trailer Frame Depth 4″ Channel (Light Duty) 6″ Channel (Standard) 8″ Channel (Heavy Duty) Build Strategy In-Frame…

This tool tackles the “Crying Windows” problem—why tiny homes wake up with puddles on the windowsills in winter. It combines a physics engine that calculates the Dew Point of your interior air against the Surface Temperature of different window types (Single vs. Triple Pane). It also visualizes the specific role of an HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator), showing how it mechanically lowers humidity without freezing you out, unlike opening a window. Window Condensation Solver Why Tiny Homes need Triple Panes & HRVs. Outdoor Temperature 20°F Indoor Humidity Dry 60% Sauna Tiny homes spike to 60%+ just from cooking/breathing. Window Type Single…

This tool visualizes the invisible battle of “Vapor Drive”—how moisture moves through your walls differently in Winter vs. Summer. It specifically demonstrates the dangerous “Plastic Bag Trap” (Double Vapor Barrier), showing how well-intentioned builders rot their tiny homes from the inside out by trapping moisture between two impermeable layers. Vapor Barrier Guide Avoid the “Plastic Bag Trap” & Mold. 1. Your Climate Zone Cold / Heating Dominated North USA, Canada (Long Winters) Hot / Humid South USA, Tropics (AC Dominated) Mixed / Marine Midwest, Mid-Atlantic (Hot Summer + Cold Winter) Vapor Barrier Placement No Class I Barrier (Permeable) Interior (Behind…

This tool tackles the “Energy Vampire” of tiny homes: the wheel well. It’s a thin piece of sheet metal separating your living space from freezing road spray. This calculator helps you design an insulated box that stops the cold without stealing too much precious floor width. It features a “Thermal Layer Visualizer” that shows exactly how adding inches of Rigid Foam or Spray Foam pushes the “Freeze Line” away from your interior. Wheel Well Box Designer Build insulated boxes that stop cold spots. 1. Fender Dimensions Length (in) Height (in) Width (Depth into House) How far it sticks out from…

This tool answers the “Is it worth it?” question by calculating a unique metric: “Cost per Square Foot of Space Gained.” It demonstrates that while Aerogel is incredibly expensive upfront, in a tiny house where every inch counts, gaining back 15-20 square feet of interior floor space might actually be cheaper than building a slightly larger trailer. It compares Aerogel (R-10/in) against Closed Cell Foam (R-6.5/in) and Mineral Wool (R-4.2/in). Aerogel ROI Calculator Is R-10 per inch worth the premium price? House Length (ft) House Width (ft) Target Wall Insulation R-20 R-13 (Standard) R-30 (Arctic) Analyze Space vs. Cost TRAILER…

This tool solves the “Cold Floor” problem. It compares the three most common skirting methods—Rigid Foam, Hay Bales, and Vinyl Kits—calculating not just the material cost for your specific perimeter, but also the “Warmth Factor” (R-Value) and “Rodent Risk”. It includes an interactive “Wind Chill Simulator” that visualizes how skirting stops the wind from stripping heat away from your floor plumbing. Winter Skirting Calculator Foam vs. Hay vs. Vinyl: Stop frozen pipes. 1. Trailer Dimensions Length (ft) Width (ft) Height off Ground (inches) avg Measure from ground to bottom of frame. Compare Options Air Temp 10°F Under Trailer 10°F TINY…

This tool focuses specifically on Moisture Physics rather than just heat loss. It visualizes the “Dew Point”—the exact location inside your wall where warm, moist air turns into liquid water. It demonstrates why standard fiberglass batts often turn into wet sponges in tiny homes and how the “Flash Coat” method solves this by creating an air-tight, warm surface that stops condensation. Flash Coat Mold Simulator Visualize where condensation happens inside your walls. 1. Environment Conditions Outside Temp 10°F Inside Temp 70°F Wall Strategy Fiberglass Batt Only Air permeable. Typical standard construction. Flash & Batt (Hybrid) 1″ Closed Cell Foam (Air…

This tool is essential for steel-frame tiny house builders. It demonstrates the “Radiator Fin Effect”—how steel studs conduct heat 400x faster than wood, effectively bypassing your insulation. It calculates the “Effective R-Value” (which is usually shockingly lower than the rated R-value) and visually demonstrates how Continuous Insulation (CI) is the only true fix. Steel Frame Thermal Bridge Simulator See how steel studs kill your R-Value (and how to fix it). 1. Wall Assembly Cavity Insulation (Between Studs) R-13 (2×4 Fiberglass/Wool) R-21 (2×6 Fiberglass/Wool) R-23 (2×4 Closed Cell Foam) R-35 (2×6 Closed Cell Foam) Nominal R-Value stated on the package. Thermal…

This tool compares the two heavyweights of the tiny house world: Closed Cell Spray Foam (the structural king) vs. Sheep’s Wool (the moisture management queen). It calculates the resulting R-Value based on your wall depth and visualizes the critical trade-off: Rigidity vs. Breathability. It includes a comprehensive “Science of the Wall” section at the bottom to explain why these factors matter specifically for mobile structures. Insulation Analyzer: Foam vs. Wool Compare R-Value, Structural Strength, and Moisture Control. 1. Wall Configuration Stud Size (Cavity Depth) 2×4 3.5″ Depth 2×6 5.5″ Depth Total Wall/Ceiling Area sq ft Run Comparison Enter dimensions to…

This tool helps builders calculate the often-overlooked weight of the plumbing system. While PEX vs. Copper is a debate, the real weight killer is water itself. This tool calculates the massive weight penalty of towing with full tanks (Fresh/Grey/Black) and demonstrates why “Traveling Dry” is the golden rule for tiny houses. Plumbing Weight Calculator Calculate the weight of pipes, tanks, and water loads. 1. Piping Material Total Length (ft) Type PEX (Plastic) Copper (Type M) 2. Holding Tanks (Gallons) Fresh Grey Heater Calculate “Traveling Wet” (Full Tanks) Weigh System System Dry Weight 0 lbs Pipes + Empty Tanks Total Wet…

This tool helps tiny house owners understand why their headlights are pointing at the sky when they hook up their trailer. It visualizes “Rear Sag” (Squat) and demonstrates how upgrades like Airbags or Helper Springs restore level towing, steering control, and braking efficiency. It includes a Headlight Aim Visualizer to show the real-world safety impact of a squatting truck. Suspension Upgrade Simulator Fix the “Squat”: Airbags vs. Helper Springs. 1. Truck Configuration Truck Class 1/2 Ton F150/1500 3/4 Ton F250/2500 1 Ton F350/3500 Tongue Weight (lbs) Weight pressing down on the hitch. Suspension Mod Stock Suspension (Factory) Helper Springs (Timbren/Sumo)…

This tool helps builders safely design “Tongue Extensions”—lofts that hang out over the trailer hitch to gain extra sleeping space. It visualizes the “Teeter-Totter Effect” (Uplift), showing why you need a long “Backspan” inside the house to counterbalance the weight of the overhang, preventing the joists from prying the roof off your walls. Cantilever Loft Calculator Safe extension limits for lofts over the tongue. 1. Beam Configuration Joist Size 2×6 2×8 2×10 2×12 Spacing 12″ OC 16″ OC 24″ OC Backspan (Inside House) ft Length of joist anchored inside the walls. Overhang (Extension) ft Length extending outside over tongue. Analyze…

This tool addresses a critical safety area. Many DIY builders assume a 2×4 is strong enough for an 8-foot span because “it holds me when I stand on it,” not realizing that dynamic loads (two people moving) or long-term static loads (heavy storage) cause dangerous deflection or failure over time. It includes a “Bounciness Visualizer” that simulates how much the floor will flex under load, helping users understand why “Meeting Code” isn’t the same as “Feeling Solid.” Loft Span Calculator Is your sleeping loft safe or bouncy? Check your spans. Loft Span (Wall-to-Wall) ft Tiny homes are usually 7′ to…

This tool demystifies one of the trickiest parts of tiny house framing: the wheel wells. Since the trailer wheels cut into your floor plan, you have to cut your wall studs short. This creates a structural gap exactly like a window or door. The calculator helps builders size the “Header” (the beam bridging that gap) correctly to prevent the roof from sagging over the tires. Wheel Well Header Guide Bridge the gap: Frame over axles without sagging. 1. The Gap (Span) Single Axle ~36″ Span Tandem Axle (Standard) ~64″ – 72″ Span Triple Axle ~96″ Span (Heavy) Header Material Double…