Michigan

Tiny Homes
& ADUs.

Michigan is known for its Great Lakes, beautiful forests, and charming small towns. Depending on where you choose to live, you may have access to hiking trails, beaches, lakes, and other natural attractions.

Back to all state resources.

At a Glance.

Requires effective climate control

Deck addition recommended

Solar power options

Michigan

Building Considerations.

Foremost, weather temperatures can vary widely in Michigan throughout the year since Michigan experiences all four seasons. Michigan tiny homes need to be insulated from extreme temperatures. Investing in high quality insulation will go a long way. This means you can keep your Michigan tiny home at a comfortable temperature year-round with maximum energy efficiency.

Also, all of our homes at Wind River are constructed with 2×4 framing and spray foam insulation. Spray foam has by far the highest R-value available for the tiny home application, and wooden construction allows less air infiltration than steel framing. Additionally, we use LP SmartSide for a low-maintenance and durable siding that won’t warp or change with fluctuating temperatures (and which we can do in any custom color(s) you like). Speaking of your exterior color palette, for hotter climates, we recommend keeping it light and choosing a galvalume metal roof that reflects the heat from the sun.

Investing in solar power for your Michigan tiny home is also a great idea. We recommend a ground mounted array for a semi-permanent tiny home setup. Housing the heavy batteries in a separate outbuilding will allow you to make the most of your Michigan tiny homes precious square footage while living a more off-grid lifestyle if you choose.

Another key design element for your Michigan tiny home is a deck. We recommend a combination of sunning space as well as a covered area for hotter Michigan days. The covered portion of your deck can also be screened if you’d like. Your builder should be able to assist with your overall site plan and may even be able to create a set of deck construction documents to be used for building your deck on-site.

Lastly, we recommend giving thought to the placement of your tiny home on your site. Set yourself up for energy efficiency by facing the long walls of your trailer to the north and south. This will mean less surface area penetration from the hot rising and setting summer sun. It also helps maximize your heat from the sun in the winter, which stays low in the southern sky. Consider landscaping that will increase the comfort of your home as well as its curb appeal. For example, planting trees and shrubbery to the east and west of the home will give you free added heat protection and shade in the summer months.

Resources.

Michigan is generally considered friendly to tiny living, with a growing community of tiny home enthusiasts and several organizations dedicated to the movement. Below are some great resources to get you started on your Michigan tiny homes journey.

Learn more about Care & Maintenance.

Refine Your Vision.

Looking for inspiration as you plan your right-sized living project? Take a closer look with our interactive map, fuel your creativity with our catalog, or explore our modular ADU models.

Take a closer look with our interactive map.

Stay Up to Date.

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Build With Us.

Wind River crafts homes that are built for freedom. Whether you’re a home buyer looking for the right solution or a developer planning your next big project, we promise to build the right way right alongside you.

Get in touch with our team.