Windows are an integral part of your tiny home design to provide the optimum amount of ventilation, light, and protection.
Your tiny house window sizes, placement, treatments and functionality of the window affect their performance.
What are tiny house window sizes?
Tiny house window sizes can range from anywhere between 16″ and 72″ or more.
The rooms you most frequently use (such as the living room and kitchen) will ideally face south (depending which part of the world you’re in), allowing you to make the most of the sun’s natural heat and light.
Your living room is ideal to house one huge window that allows for plenty of natural light and air while providing an open and airy feeling to your space.
You can include a customized window to fit your wall dimensions, maximizing your view and allowing plenty of light into your home.
If your living area stretches wall to wall, you can place additional windows in the surrounding walls to open up the space even more.
A kitchen is a place where you will open your windows often, so they’ll need to be functional and accessible.
The windows in a tiny home kitchen need to balance light and ventilation while leaving an ample amount of storage space on your walls.
You’ll want some privacy for a bedroom while keeping it light and airy.
Horizontal windows can be placed high on the wall to maximize light and air while providing you with some privacy.
If you have a loft bedroom, you could try adding a skylight. A combination of windows and a skylight can make the most of natural rays, while a large open skylight creates a sense of spaciousness and lets you feel like you are sleeping under the stars.
The average bathroom in a tiny house ranges from 25 to 50 square feet, with rough dimensions of three by ten feet.
Most windows in this room will be small to protect privacy when showering or using the toilet. But, a window is essential for achieving sufficient ventilation to prevent mold buildups.
Awning windows allow condensation to drain from your bathroom while keeping out the rain and snow.
In contrast, hopper windows provide excellent ventilation but allow wet weather to seep into your bathroom.
For this reason, a window with a top hinge, such as the awning window, may be the best option.
A narrow window with high placement offers both ventilation and privacy and is a popular option in tiny homes such as this one. If you live in a secluded area, you have the opportunity to add additional windows that make your room more exposed but offer better ventilation.
With clever placement of your toilet and shower, you can add a bigger window such as this sliding variety.
Big vs small windows in tiny homes
Big windows
Big windows allow plenty of light to flow through your tiny home, creating an open feeling and connection to your surroundings (this is particularly lovely if you’re surrounded by nature).
Maximizing natural light also reduces your electricity bill for artificial lighting.
However, if your windows are too large, you may jeopardize your privacy. It’s essential to balance the aesthetic look of the building with its practicality – it’s your home, and you need to feel comfortable.
The other downside of large windows is that they act as a magnifier to the summer heat and then allow heat to escape during the colder winter months.
As the seasons change, large windows won’t cope well with hot summers and cold winters, and you may be forced to spend more on artificial heating and cooling to keep the temperature of your home comfortable.
Large windows offer a better view than small windows and can frame a surrounding landscape nicely, adding character and warmth to your home.
Small windows
On the other hand, if you have surrounding sights you’d rather not see, such as neighboring buildings or roads, smaller windows can limit your view provide your home with a sense of comfort and coziness.
Another advantage to keeping your tiny house window size small is that it frees up wall space that you can utilize for cabinets and cupboards. In contrast, it may be challenging to find enough storage space for all of your belongings if you have wall-to-wall windows.
When deciding the best height for your windows, you need to consider the elevation of each room. If there is too much space above a window, it can make your room feel shorter, but if there’s not enough space, your room can feel out of proportion.
There’s no “perfect size” when it comes to choosing the right windows for your tiny home; it’s all about adapting the windows to the layout of your home.
How to make the most out of your tiny house window size
The type of window you choose affects its functionality in your tiny home.
An awning window allows optimum light flow, which helps small spaces to feel open and airy. They prevent rain from entering your home, and their design allows the water to drain, meaning it won’t rot your frame.
This type of window is also cheaper than other designs. But an awning window provides minimal airflow.
A double-hung window comprises two separate sections that slide past one another in the frame. These windows allow optimal airflow and are excellent for ventilating a small space.; they are a perfect choice for your bathroom or ceiling apex.
However, these windows can be expensive and are difficult to clean.
Common casement windows are inexpensive and allow good airflow from one direction if placed correctly. However, they will be ineffective if the wind flows from the wrong direction.
A sliding window is perfect for a tiny home as it can be purpose-built to fit small spaces. But, only half of a slider window opens, limiting its ventilation ability.
One of the limitations of large windows is that they trap heat in the summer months and allow it to escape during the winter months. Adding blinds or curtains can help to combat these challenges and provide you with the best of both worlds.
Additionally, the right overhang can limit the amount of heat penetrating your window during the hot summer months, but these don’t work so well on the east and west side of your home as the sun is too low.
Energy star-rated windows are an excellent choice for tiny homes as they help regulate the indoor temperature through all seasons of the year. And sound shield glass minimizes outdoor noise while providing solar protection to avoid heat buildup in your home.
Windows that are energy efficient and allow plenty of natural light are the best option for your tiny home. Bigger isn’t always better, but work out the maximum window size you can fit in each room and go from there.
Importantly, your window design needs to ensure ample light and sufficient airflow to prevent future issues with moisture damage and mold.