How much headroom can you have in your tiny house loft?
it’s important to consider the tiny house loft headroom. Getting this right is crucial for making your small living space comfortable and usable. In this post, we’ll go through the steps to figure out how much headroom you can have based on different trailer styles and loft configurations.
Start with the Legal Height Limit
The legal height limit for tiny houses on wheels is usually 13’6″ (162 inches) across all 50 states, but some West Coast states allow up to 14 feet. This height is measured from the ground to the top of the tiny house roof.
Subtract the Trailer Deck Height
To find the available interior space, you need to subtract the height of your trailer deck from the legal limit. A drop axle trailer deck typically measures 22 inches, while standard decks measure about 26 inches, and deck-over trailers can be as high as 34 inches. For this example, we’ll use the drop axle measurement of 22 inches. the lower the deck, the more the tiny house loft headroom.
Consider the Roof Thickness
Next, take into account the thickness of your roof. On a standard 8.5-foot wide trailer with a shed-style roof, the roof thickness is generally around 7 inches. This needs to be subtracted from the remaining height.
Account for Loft Structure
The structural part of your loft, including the finished floor, usually adds another 4.5 inches to the height. Additionally, the finished floor and ceiling contribute approximately 0.5 inches each, totaling an extra inch. These elements are essential for an accurate calculation.
Calculate the Usable Space
Starting with the 162 inches legal limit:
– Subtract 22 inches for the drop axle trailer deck.
– Subtract 7 inches for the roof thickness.
– Subtract 4.5 inches for the loft structure.
– Subtract 1 inch for the finished floor and ceiling.
This leaves us with 127.5 inches of usable space. Converting this to feet, we have approximately 10 feet 7.5 inches of space from the loft floor to the ceiling.
Determine Loft Height
A common loft height chosen by many tiny house enthusiasts is 6’4″ (76 inches). Subtracting 6’4″ from our usable space of 127.5 inches, we are left with 51.5 inches (approximately 4 feet 3.5 inches) above the loft.
Deckover Tiny House Trailer (34in -36in Deck Height)
Standard Deck Tiny House Trailer (26in Deck Height)
Drop Axles Tiny House Trailer (22in Deck Height)
Adjust for Different Trailer Styles
Different trailer styles and heights will change the available headroom. For example, a standard deck height of 26 inches or a deck-over trailer height of 34 inches will significantly reduce the interior space. It’s important to adjust your calculations based on the specific measurements of your trailer.
Importance of Accurate Measurements
Accurate measurement and planning are key to maximizing the usable space in your tiny house. Ensure you account for all elements, including trailer deck height, roof thickness, and loft structure, to achieve a comfortable living space.
Additional Considerations
Different roof styles, such as gable roofs, may have varying thicknesses, affecting the overall headroom. Additionally, planning for different ceiling heights can create varying amounts of headroom in different areas of your tiny house.
Understanding these measurements and adjustments is crucial for creating a functional and comfortable tiny house layout. By following these steps and accurately calculating the available headroom, you can design a tiny house that meets your needs and adheres to legal height limits. If you have any questions or need further assistance with your calculations, feel free to leave a comment or reach out for help.
