Tiny Home Glossary

The terms you will hear while shopping, explained in plain English.

Buying a tiny home comes with its own vocabulary. This glossary breaks down the terms you will run into most often, so you can compare models, talk to lenders and read the fine print with confidence.

The basics

Tiny home: a compact, fully functional dwelling, usually under 400 square feet, designed for efficient full-time or part-time living.

Park model: a type of tiny home built to the ANSI A119.5 standard, typically up to 400 square feet, designed to be set in one place and lived in like a small house.

ADU: an accessory dwelling unit, a second independent home placed on a property that already has a main residence.

A diagram of a detached ADU behind a main home

Building and certification

ANSI A119.5: the national standard that park model recreational units are built and inspected to.

NOAH certification: a marker confirming a park model was built to ANSI requirements plus amended International Residential Code (IRC) provisions and third-party inspected, the industry's highest standard for quality and compliance.

IRC: the International Residential Code, the standard used for traditional site-built houses, which some tiny homes are built to.

Snow load: the amount of weight a roof is engineered to carry from snow, measured in pounds per square foot, or psf.

Living and placement

Off-grid: a setup where a home produces its own power and manages its own water and waste, independent of municipal utilities.

Setback: the minimum distance local zoning requires between a structure and a property line.

Loft: a raised sleeping or storage area that uses the vertical space under a tiny home roof.

Skirting: the panels that close off the gap between a tiny home and the ground, improving insulation and appearance.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a tiny home and a park model?

Park model is a specific type of tiny home built to the ANSI A119.5 standard, usually up to 400 square feet and designed to stay in one place.

What does psf mean for snow load?

Pounds per square foot. A higher psf rating means the roof can safely carry more snow, which matters in cold, snowy climates.

What is an ADU in simple terms?

A second, smaller home on the same property as a main house, with its own kitchen, bathroom and entrance.

Still have questions?

If a term has you stuck, just ask. Schedule a free consultation and we will explain anything you want to understand before you buy.

Schedule Free Consultation Call 208-244-5204