Tiny Houses

Tiny house keeps warm in cooler climes

Tiny house keeps warm in cooler climes
Borealis Tiny Homes told us that the Aspen is designed to handle a Canadian winter
Borealis Tiny Homes told us that the Aspen is designed to handle a Canadian winter
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Borealis Tiny Homes told us that the Aspen is designed to handle a Canadian winter
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Borealis Tiny Homes told us that the Aspen is designed to handle a Canadian winter
The Aspen's underfloor storage
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The Aspen's underfloor storage 
The Aspen's toilet can optionally be a composting model
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The Aspen's toilet can optionally be a composting model
The Aspen's shower
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The Aspen's shower
The Aspen's bathroom sink
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The Aspen's bathroom sink 
Another shot of the Aspen's bathroom sink
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Another shot of the Aspen's bathroom sink
The Aspen's sole loft bedroom
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The Aspen's sole loft bedroom 
Another shot of the Aspen's sole loft bedroom
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Another shot of the Aspen's sole loft bedroom 
The Aspen's desk area in the living room
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The Aspen's desk area in the living room 
The Aspen's sofa can fold away
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The Aspen's sofa can fold away 
View of the Aspen's desk area and fireplace
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View of the Aspen's desk area and fireplace
The Aspen's underfloor storage
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The Aspen's underfloor storage 
The Aspen's kitchen includes full-size appliances
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The Aspen's kitchen includes full-size appliances
The Aspen's propane-powered cooker
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The Aspen's propane-powered cooker
The Aspen's kitchen sink
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The Aspen's kitchen sink
Another shot of the Aspen's kitchen sink
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Another shot of the Aspen's kitchen sink
View toward the Aspen's small secondary storage loft
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View toward the Aspen's small secondary storage loft 
The Aspen's kitchen features neat pull-out shelving
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The Aspen's kitchen features neat pull-out shelving 
The Aspen is helped to keep warm with a Lunos heat recovery ventilation system
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The Aspen is helped to keep warm with a Lunos heat recovery ventilation system
Access to the Aspen's bedroom is gained by climbing these steps onto the counter space
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Access to the Aspen's bedroom is gained by climbing these steps onto the counter space 
The Aspen measures 24 ft (7.3 m)-long
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The Aspen measures 24 ft (7.3 m)-long
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Considering that Borealis Tiny Homes is based in the relatively chilly Canadian city of Prince George, it makes sense for the firm to ensure its Aspen model is able to stand up to cold weather. The compact dwelling has several features designed to keep the frost at bay, including radiant underfloor heating.

The Aspen measures 24 ft (7.3 m) long and comprises a total floorspace of 268 sq ft (25 sq m). It's based on a double-axle trailer and built using structurally insulated panels (SIPs), with a metal roof and cedar siding. Inside, the home is finished in locally-milled aspen and cedar, with engineered hardwood flooring and bamboo countertops.

Visitors enter into a snug living room with a desk area, as well as a sofa that can be stowed away and serves as a single bed. The kitchen includes full-size appliances, space for a dishwasher or washer/dryer to be fitted, and quite a bit of storage space.

Indeed, ensuring enough storage space was available was clearly a focus with this one and Borealis Tiny Homes added some handy nooks and cubbies, including a pull-out step area, a crawlspace under the kitchen floor, and a small storage loft.

Access to the Aspen's bedroom is gained by climbing these steps onto the counter space
Access to the Aspen's bedroom is gained by climbing these steps onto the counter space 

The Aspen's bathroom has a shower, sink and flushing toilet (a composting toilet is an optional extra), while the sole loft bedroom is accessed by climbing some steps up onto a counter and then into bed.

Though we've no figures on its insulation performance or the like, Borealis Tiny Homes did tell us that the Aspen is designed to take a Canadian winter in its stride. Radiant underfloor heating keeps toes toasty, which is a rarity in tiny houses – though not unheard of – and a nice feature to have. It also has an efficient heat recovery ventilation system and a gel fuel fireplace installed. The home gets power from a standard RV hookup and lighting is LED throughout.

The Aspen is currently on the market for CAD$89,900 in Canada, or US$71,000 in the United States.

Source: Borealis Tiny Homes

View gallery - 21 images
2 comments
2 comments
Jerry
So, for 71K I get to climb up on a kitchen counter to go to bed and shower in a tin box with exposed pipes. At least the toilet flushes!
Don Duncan
I read this to find out R-values. Are they selling without them? I really like radiant floor heat but I wouldn't buy without specifics "in writing".