We build our homes to last 20 years.  Here’s how.

Sound Foundations NW uses a very unique system of jigs and templates to build our tiny homes.  We also build our tiny homes assembly line style.  Since the need for tiny transitional homes is so great, using the assembly line means we can build the same quality homes faster.

Time lapse video of building on our jigs and tilting up a tiny home (no sound).

 

First, we pre-cut all the lumber for the home.  We have two chop saw stations, one for each side of the assembly line.  Since there are a limited number of lengths for the boards, we use a template to assure that all lumber is cut to the proper length.

 

 

 

We use cordless power tools like nail guns, screw guns and drills that are less noisy than pneumatic tools in our space.   Many of these tools were donated from our Community Partners Lowe’s and Operation Tiny Home.

 

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The jigs themselves are a simple way for people with no construction experience to build the various components easier.  We have six different types of jigs:  one for the platform (floor), one for the side wall with no windows or doors, one for the front wall with a window and a door, one for the back wall with just a window, one for the structural triangle, and one for the half roof assembly.

 

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Here is a close up of one of the jigs with and without the lumber.

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We use simple “Ikea like” instructions to assemble the components on the jigs.

 

Once the platform is built, it is then placed on the wooden skids in the rolling steel carts.  This begins the assembly line process.

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Next, one of the side walls and front wall are built on the jigs and then tilted up on the platform.

 

Between each jig is a workstation that houses all hand tools, power tools and materials for the jigs.  Each crew member has everything they need within reach.

 

The second side wall and the back wall are then built and tilted up.

 

Next comes the roof system.  It is made up of the structural triangles (front and back) and two half-roof assemblies (sides).

 

We now add our unique vent system and start the finishing process;  adding insulation, interior panels, and plywood for the roof.

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Next, the home is wheeled around to the “Finish Line”  On the interior, the home gets a floor, door, and trim. 

The trim is placed over the exposed seams in the paneling.   Every seam, nail and screw is caulked so that moisture does not penetrate the insulation and cause mold.

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One of our traditions is to write “love notes” throughout the home.  It always gets covered over with paint, but new residents to the tiny homes have told us that they can “feel the love” when they walk in the door.

 

 

 

The inside is then painted with a primer specifically designed to eliminate mold.

 

 

 

 

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On the outside of the home, trim is installed and a final coat of paint is applied.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have build a special workstation called the Skymobile so we can shingle the roof safely.  The Skymobile even has a materials elevator!

 

When the home is finished, it gets wheeled outside to our staging area.  We can store several homes here, waiting to be transported to the next tiny home village.

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