Can You Live in a Tiny House in -20°C? A Guide to U-Values and Insulation
- Maya | tinyhouse.lv
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 15 hours ago
One of the most frequent questions we receive from clients in Germany, Scandinavia, and the Baltics is: "Will I be warm enough in the winter?" It’s a valid concern. When you live in a smaller footprint, the "envelope" of the house—the walls, roof, and floor—is much closer to you. If that envelope isn't engineered correctly, you’ll feel every bit of the frost outside, and your heating bills will skyrocket.
At tinyhouse.lv, we don’t build summer cottages. We build year-round residences. Here is how we ensure you stay cozy even when the thermometer hits -20°C.
The Magic Number: Understanding the U-Value
To understand insulation, you need to know the U-value. In simple terms, the U-value measures how much heat escapes through a square meter of a building element (like a wall or window).
Higher number = heat escapes quickly (a tent or a thin garden shed).
Lower number = heat stays trapped inside (a high-performance home).
While many mobile tiny houses struggle to reach a U-value of 0.35 or 0.40, our modular walls are engineered to achieve a U-value between 0.15 and 0.20 W/(m²K). To put that in perspective, our tiny homes often outperform traditional modern brick houses in energy efficiency.
The "Thermal Flask" Effect
Think of your favorite coffee thermos. It doesn't matter how cold it is outside; the liquid inside stays hot because of a high-performance barrier. We apply this exact "Thermal Flask" philosophy to our construction.
Our "warmth layer" isn't just one material; it’s a multi-layer system:
High-Density Insulation: We use premium insulation materials that don't sag or create "cold bridges" over time.
Airtight Vapour Barriers: We meticulously seal every joint. If air can't leak out, heat can't escape.
Triple-Glazed Windows: Windows are usually the "weak link" in a house. By using triple-glazing as our standard, we ensure your view of the snow doesn't come with a cold draft.
It’s Not Just About the Cold
A common misconception is that insulation is only for winter. In reality, a well-insulated house is just as crucial during a European heatwave.
High-performance insulation acts as a shield against the sun’s energy. While a poorly built tiny house becomes an "oven" in July, a tinyhouse.lv module remains pleasantly cool. Because the heat can’t penetrate the walls, you save significantly on air conditioning costs, too.
Financial Freedom Through Efficiency
Investing in a better U-value at the start is a gift to your future self. Because our homes keep heat in so efficiently, the energy required to maintain a comfortable 22°C is minimal.
Low heating costs: you can heat your entire home with a fraction of the energy a standard house requires.
Safety: even in a power outage, a "Thermal Flask" home will hold its temperature for hours, whereas a thin-walled unit would freeze in minutes.
Conclusion: Feeling Safe and Warm
When the wind is howling outside and the ground is frozen, you shouldn't just be inside—you should feel safe inside. By prioritizing U-values of 0.15 to 0.20, we provide a sanctuary that is as sustainable for your wallet as it is for the environment.
Small footprint. Huge thermal performance.
