What’s Included in a Solid Timber Tiny Home Kit? and What's Not

Introduction

Building your own tiny home is one of the most empowering, financially smart, and deeply satisfying projects you can undertake. More Australians than ever are embracing tiny home living — not just because of rising housing prices, but because tiny homes offer freedom, flexibility, sustainability, and simplicity. And with today’s modern DIY kits, the process is much easier and more beginner-friendly than most people expect.

This guide is written especially for people using solid timber tiny home kits, where the walls are built from solid structural timber planks that form both the inside and outside surface. This unique design makes the build far faster, simpler, stronger, and more cost-effective than tiny homes using steel frames, plasterboard, and multiple insulation layers.

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn exactly how to build your tiny home kit from start to finish — including what comes in the kit, what tools you need, how long each step takes, and what you can expect at each stage. Even if you’ve never built anything before, this guide will help you feel confident and excited to start.

Let’s begin your tiny home journey.

What’s Included in a Solid Timber Tiny Home Kit?

Not all tiny home kits are created equal. Most on the market use steel frames and require the owner to install wall insulation, vapour barriers, interior linings, paints, electrical pathways, and more. This creates a complex build process and a lot of additional cost.

But a solid timber tiny home kit is different — and better.

Your kit includes:

✔️ Structural solid timber wall planks

These planks:

• form the structural wall

• create the internal finished surface

• create the external finished surface

• offer natural insulation through timber mass

• allow for a beautiful Scandinavian-style timber interior

• require no additional lining, plasterboard, or wall materials

This is a huge advantage. No steel frame. No plasterboard. No internal lining at all. The walls are complete when assembled.

✔️ Timber flooring

Your kit includes real timber floorboards that match the style of the walls. This means:

• you don’t need to purchase separate flooring

• the aesthetic stays consistent

• the interior looks warm, natural, and high-quality

Many tiny homes spend $800–$2,000 just on flooring — you save that cost.

✔️ Subfloor system

Designed to work with a trailer or foundation.

✔️ Colorbond roofing with insulation

Only the roof needs insulation because the solid timber walls already provide thermal regulation.

✔️ Double-glazed windows

Energy-efficient and quiet.

✔️ Double-glazed French doors

Bring in natural light and offer excellent thermal performance.

✔️ All fixings and bolts

Everything needed to assemble the structure.

✔️ 7-Star energy-rated design

Achieved through:

• solid timber wall mass

• double glazing

• roof insulation

This is significantly easier to achieve than with steel-frame tiny homes.

What’s Not Included

To avoid confusion, here’s what you will still need to source:

• Kitchen

• Bathroom fixtures (toilet, vanity, shower)

• Hot water system

• Electrical installation (licensed)

• Plumbing installation (licensed)

• Light fittings

• Furniture

• Appliances

• Interior decoration

But importantly — no interior walls, no insulation, no plasterboard, no lining, no painting required on walls.

That saves thousands of dollars — and dozens of hours of labour.

Step 1 — Set Up Your Trailer or Foundation

Your tiny home kit can be built on either:

✔️ A registered tiny home trailer

or

✔️ A fixed foundation (stumps, slab, or adjustable footings)

If building on a trailer:

• Ensure the trailer is level

• Stabilise all corners

• Double-check weight ratings

• Ensure brake lights and wiring are protected

If building on footings:

• Level the area

• Install supports according to engineering specs

• Allow drainage space underneath

Pro tip:

Create a clean, organised “builder’s zone” with:

• tools

• fixings

• gloves

• measuring tape

• saw horses

• power cords

Organisation speeds up every stage of the build.

Step 2 — Assemble the Subfloor System

Your subfloor system provides the base for the entire build.

This step includes:

• Laying out the floor joists

• Bolting them to the trailer or foundation

• Installing the floor sheeting

• Ensuring everything is level, square, and secure

This stage is straightforward and beginner friendly because:

• pieces are pre-cut

• plans show exact placement

• you simply match labelled components

Time estimate:

• 4–6 hours with two people

• 1 full day for one person

Tools needed:

• Drill

• Impact driver

• Level

• Clamps

• Tape measure

Accurate work here makes the entire build easier later.

Step 3 — Install the Timber Flooring (Included in Your Kit)

This is where your tiny home immediately starts feeling warm and finished.

Your kit includes real timber flooring, pre-cut to size. Simply:

1. Lay the boards from one end to the other

2. Lock or fix them according to the instructions

3. Make sure the floor is flat, even, and secure

Why this matters:

• Many tiny home kits don’t include flooring

• Timber flooring creates a luxury finish

• You save money on vinyl/hybrid/laminate alternatives

• It adds durability, value, and comfort

Once the floor is complete, the space already looks amazing.

Step 4 — Build and Raise the Solid Timber Wall Planks

This is the MOST exciting part of the entire build.

Solid timber wall planks are stacked and interlocked (depending on your design) to form the full structural wall. This system is incredibly fast and beginner-friendly.

Installing the wall planks:

• Start at the corner

• Fit each plank into the one below it

• Tap into place with a mallet

• Ensure each row is level

• Continue stacking until walls reach full height

Benefits of solid timber walls:

• No internal lining needed

• No vapour barrier

• No insulation in walls

• No plasterboard

• No sanding, painting, or finishing

Your interior is already finished — beautiful natural timber.

Time estimate:

• 2–3 days with 2 people

This is where your home starts taking shape quickly.

Step 5 — Install the Roof Structure

Your roof installation includes:

✔️ Timber roof framing

✔️ Roof insulation (included)

✔️ Colorbond roofing sheets

✔️ Ridge capping

✔️ Flashings

Steps:

1. Install roof rafters

2. Add insulation

3. Fix Colorbond sheets

4. Seal with flashings and ridge cap

Benefit:

Only the roof requires insulation because the walls provide natural thermal mass.

Step 6 — Install Double-Glazed Windows & French Doors

Your kit includes all double-glazed units.

Steps:

• Insert windows into pre-cut openings

• Level and plumb each unit

• Fix in place

• Seal edges with waterproofing tape

• Install French doors and adjust hinge tension

Why double glazing is essential:

• Improves thermal comfort

• Supports the 7-star rating

• Reduces sound

• Increases natural light

Step 7 — Weatherproof the Exterior

Weatherproofing includes:

• Side flashings

• Sealing joints

• Checking window seals

• Roof-to-wall flashing

• External timber treatment (optional)

Your exterior is mostly complete once this step is finished.

Step 8 — Plan Your Interior Layout

Your walls are already beautifully finished timber — so planning the interior is far simpler.

Typical layout choices:

• Rear bathroom

• Straight-line kitchen

• Loft bedroom

• Built-in sofa

• Fold-down desk

• Compact laundry

• Storage stairs

Because the walls are finished, you can simply mount shelves, cabinetry, rails, and fixtures directly into the timber surface.

This saves thousands of dollars and days of labour.

Step 9 — Electrical & Plumbing Rough-In (Licensed Trades)

Professionals will install:

✔️ Electrical:

• Powerpoints

• Lights

• Switches

• Breaker box

• Any wired appliances

✔️ Plumbing:

• Hot/cold water lines

• Drainage

• Shower

• Toilet

• Vanity

Because your walls are solid timber, you may choose:

• surface-mounted conduit (industrial look) or

• hidden pathways in corners, cavities, or cabinetry

Your builder/tradesman will advise which is best.

Step 10 — Install Kitchen, Bathroom & Storage

Since your walls are finished, you can immediately install:

• Kitchen cabinets

• Splashback

• Timber or stone benchtop

• Shower

• Toilet

• Vanity

• Storage units

• Loft ladders or stairs

• Built-in seating

No lining. No plaster. No painting.

The interior already looks like a boutique cabin — warm, natural, cohesive.

Step 11 — Flooring Touch-Ups & Final Wood Finish (Optional)

Your timber flooring and timber walls usually need no finishing, but you can choose to:

• Oil

• Clear-coat

• Lightly stain

This protects the timber and enhances the aesthetic.

Step 12 — Final Checks & Move In

Do a full walk-through:

• Test windows and hinges

• Ensure no gaps in roof or flashings

• Confirm plumbing runs

• Test electrical circuits

• Check flooring stability

• Inspect all seals

Then… it’s time to move in!

Your tiny home is complete.

Final Thoughts

Building a tiny home kit with solid timber construction is one of the simplest and highest-quality approaches available. You avoid the complexity of plasterboard, insulation layers, steel frame alignment, interior lining, and hours of finishing work. Instead, the walls go up fast, the interior is instantly beautiful, and the home feels naturally warm and comfortable.

With the right kit, the right guidance, and a willingness to learn, anyone can build a tiny home — even complete beginners.