A-Frames are STUPID | Rant and review from a happy a-frame owner

[@KeepItTiny]

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[@Dedfool22]

You have convinced me to continue with my A frame build lol

[@KeepItTiny]

LMAO - then i have failed my mission successfully. Carry on.

[@Akhazmat907]

Right this guy is ridiculous

[@CasuallyAuthentic]

For real, dude poorly designs, engineers and builds an a frame HIMSELF then talks about all the issues he created as if there inherit. My favorite part is when he says "watch my other videos where I spout facts like this video".... uh you gave opinions with lack of facts while deliberately ignoring the ingenuity and factual analysis of the product in question. Just because you lack knowledge doesn't mean you need to convince others to he on your level. I wish you tubers would focus more on positive reinforcement and self admittance than negativity and blame... although I guess we as humans love drama and preserving the ego.

[@pippalefebvre5575]

You are pretty dumb, aren’t you? 😘

[@lukasribin4168]

@robbieadams4436 You’re the one being dramatic and drawing ridiculous conclusions.

[@waspmeat]

I love the guy who’s obsessed with not being able to hang anything on the walls… actually has not one thing hanging on his vertical walls behind him. priceless 😂

[@KeepItTiny]

okay you caught me.

[@jackalacka2887]

And he's obsessed with storage space but builds a tiny house.

[@TuckFinn831]

BUSTED ahaha

[@Nbvgfbnvcjkubvcf]

Not being able to hang things is a plus, it just clutters the space

[@brianboodt6368]

This guy is an idiot.

[@donnamcdonald3709]

You almost talked me out of an A-frame. Solution: connect an A-frame with a regular-shaped cabin shed; use the A-frame as the family room. The A-frame does not need to be the only room! Thanks for the eye opening tips! I had already been wondering about those problems. Thanks to your video we see that these are real (but resolvable) issues.

[@KeepItTiny]

It is so refreshing to see someone actually understand the point of this video! You are 100% right, the problems are real but resolvable. My goal was to just make people aware of them so they can know ahead of time. I love my a-frame!

[@jclasshawkins5952]

Exactly what I want to do. Extend it

this comment is more useful than the video. thank you.

[@PalmettoNDN]

That's my idea too. An A-frame for me and if a woman ever decodes she can tolerate me a pole building on the back with the A-frame becoming a den and guest quarters up top.

[@jakenowhere2348]

The A frame makes perfect sense for heavily snow packed areas... Where I come from the annual snow fall is roughly 10-12 feet of snow. The A frame sheds it all naturally, negating the need to clear excessive buildup. Also much cheaper & labor intensive to heat/cool.

[@KeepItTiny]

All very true, these are some of the things I actually love about my a-frame.

[@yonmoore]

We have plans to build one (30x60 footprint) in a very snowy part of Wyoming but the designer is calling out LVLs 12-16" on center (expensive!!) and the builder telling us it's going to be 700k instead of the 3-500 we have budgeted for that project. With such a steep roof, that's metal and will therefore be supporting zero snow, that seems pretty excessive. Does anyone have any feedback on this topic?

[@microcolonel]

@@yonmoore Guessing you're in Teton county? Flat roof adjusted snow loads in much of Teton county can exceed 200lb/ft². From a building code perspective, your minimum snow load is going to be more than nothing, and then you have to factor in wind loading, and you're building in the windiest State in the Union. With all that having been said, that still seems excessive, I would recommend maybe talking to another engineer.

[@yonmoore]

@@microcolonel Star Valley so yes, similar snow loads. And the roof will not be completely flat, I guess what I meant to say was "shed style" roof. Metal roof also so that should facilitate snow sliding off it.

[@thegolfdude]

A normal cabin with a steep pitched roof will do the same thing though

[@1bobharvey]

Helped a buddy of mine build an A frame a long time ago. He built short 3' walls before the actual A frame which helped quite a bit with head clearance and furniture placement. Also gave him a place to put rectangular frosted windows to help light the center of the building. The real ingenious move tho was he put ducting between the rafters from the ceiling to the floor vertically with a small fan on each to recirculate the heat from the peak to the floor in the winter.

[@pat2463]

I'm a style over function type of guy...so I'll chose the A over □ all day

[@KeepItTiny]

Triangle Life Forever. A all Day.

[@DanaWhiteUfc300]

Nah

[@MzClementine]

Hear hear 🙌

[@zilic82]

@@KeepItTiny Iluminati confirmed

[@KeepItTiny]

@@zilic82 you caught me

[@PA96704]

I love my A frame. It's structurally strong. I had a 6.2 earthquake and nothing fell off the shelves. Less wood means less trees. But the energy you get from the triangle shape is an amazing feeling you don't get from regular homes. It also hides very well alongside hills.

[@KeepItTiny]

I get a jolt of energy just looking at my A-frame from afar! I certainly think the good outweigh the bad and I am happy to have built an a-frame.

[@PA96704]

Yes we build it knowing what we're getting into not like a yuppie who has no clue.

[@RUEZ69]

What energy do you get frome a triangle shaped house?

[@PA96704]

@@RUEZ69 go to a church or stay in an frame then you'll know.

[@RUEZ69]

@@PA96704 I've been in both, I felt no magical energy. I'll bet you believe in pyramid power as well?

[@TheAdVentureists]

For someone who has an A Frame, you sure don't like them much! :) In all seriousness, good video to get everyone thinking, each structure has it's pros and cons that should be thought through. We're still going to keep loving A frames though and you can't convince me otherwise!

[@sorta.cinderella]

I love all of your realism and practical feedback as an A-frame homeowner. What interests me more than the aesthetic of the A- frame's iconic architecture, is how structurally sound they are in their ability to disburse seismic load, shed snow and water and with the right clad of roofing materials, also protect against fires. Essentially, if constructed well, they are virtually impervious to the wrath of mother nature. With that being said, it seems that spray foam insulation in floor and ceilings/roofing is essential and a carefully ducted HVAC system, ceiling fans, fireplaces, and extractor fans in the apex are key to controlling temperatures. Perhaps even heating some of the floors and/or choosing carpet over vinyl/hardwood/tile in specific rooms may also help with regulation. If money is no object, building it as large as possible, both up and out (lengthwise) will certainly help mitigate storage issues. Dormers can help with storage but I hate what it does to the exterior facade and would be more inclined to install a pony wall/half wall/perfectly vertical wainscoting wall in some areas, to allow for more ease in furnishing, finishing and decorating certain areas. That would obviously cost you some additional square footage that could be used as potential storage but if you can spare that space, it may allow for more livable functionality without completely sacrificing the appeal of the design. Also, in terms of ladders, I loathe them and would opt for a spiral staircase to more easily transverse between floors without having to install a traditional staircase. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and personal experience with your home.

[@correctpolitically4784]

The solution ? Build a bigger house . I lived in an a frame and didn't have those issues because it wasn't a tiny little house. The bedrooms upstairs weren't really to hot because the heat kept going up above the second floor to attic space where it was vented. But that's usually an issue in any case anytime you have multiple floors. As to the ventilation and ac thing . The vents were in that " unusable space you were talking about that in my house was flat. Windows were kinda odd. Bottom line an a frame house is not an apartment building in the city. If that's what you like then stay there.

[@yehanavossen4412]

A frames are for minimalists literally half of your issues are fixed by not having a bunch of junk to hide in storage. It's basically just necessities. Furniture isn't supposed to be against the walls even in normal homes, it's just bad decorating and makes the rooms look smaller than it actually is. high pitched roofs are supposed to be for much colder climates so the heat rising is intentional by design for sleeping in winter

[@TheCsel]

Just from living in areas prone to tornadoes, I don’t think I would ever build a house without a basement or cellar. Having a basement would add cost to construction, but could greatly improve the A-Frame experience due to added storage and square walls.

[@VIJAYzk]

Are conventional houses better in wind prone areas? can a-frames suvive strong winds?

[@thedon7528]

A pyramid top with a subterranean house would be kick fuckin asss

[@bigmackstar1]

​@@VIJAYzk A-frames are supposedly rated for wind up to 120mph

[@ezpz4646]

All I got from this video was crucial edification on A-frames I know what to look out for, what to expect and plan around. Thank you for that and I hope other people who love A-frames didn’t skip this video. Yes I do still love A-frames I’ll take what you say to heart and work around it.

[@KeepItTiny]

YOU GOT IT!!! Seriousy, thats all i was trying to do! Educate and give people ideas on what to look out for. I love my a-frame. I think people should build and love their own a-frames - but there is undeniably some things to look out for and keep in mind. Honestly, this is one of my favorite comments on this video because you were willing to not get mad or immediately shut down, but listen to what i have to say but most importantly coming to your own decision!

[@nattybushdoctor9021]

If you are a minimalist an A frame sounds perfect. Great video. thank you.

[@KeepItTiny]

Glad you liked the video and thanks for commenting!

[@lilly5758]

Lack of storage in an A frame is a failure in design. Build out dormers

[@KeepItTiny]

Admittedly I had to google what dormers are. Thats a pretty good solution to add a little bit more space.

[@tristanjones7735]

The only real complaint here is that A frames have slanted walls. Every other complaint either comes down to poor design, or is a problem with any house you build. It all comes down to planning and execution. Ultimately the catch with A frames is that they are cheaper to build per square foot, but you need to build an A frame with more square feet in order to make the usable space similar to that of a traditional house. Also, if you can't find a builder who is confident in building an A frame, you just need to find a different guy for anything you build.

[@KeepItTiny]

You are right, most of these complaints are minor. But when you live in it or spend a lot of time in it they become pestering. To be honest though i love my a-frame. I just wanted to put this video and info out there as I could not find ANY videos that talked about the downsides of having an a-frame and wanted to make sure people knew it wasn't only peaches and rainbows.

[@BLAM777]

Well we're going to build a large A-frame up in northern maine. I actually like how they look and I won't have to worry about snow at all with a black metal roof. As far as heat up above I'm going to install ceiling fans to help move the heat around. I'm also going to build it myself.

[@KeepItTiny]

An A-frame in Northern Maine makes a ton of sense. They are almost made for that type of climate. It sounds like you have already given thought to heating which I think could be the biggest frustration. Good luck to you and your project! I wish I had the building/construction know-how to build something like that.

[@yonmoore]

For triangle windows we got one quote from Pella for like $112,000 but I called a local place and they quoted me around $500.00 per triangle window 2'x2' roughly. Of course the frame would need to be built but we're talking a price difference of several hundred percent.

[@afriendofepicproportions]

As someone saving up for my a-frame house someday, content like this is what I was looking for in case I would end up building the thing and disliking it! Accounting for potential disappointment before you start a project is super important, and I really appreciate being able to hear an actual a-frame owner's perspective on this!

[@KeepItTiny]

I'm glad I could help man. I would def say I am very happy with my a-frame and I think you will be happy with one too. Now you know what the downsides are and you can plan your build out accordingly. Good luck to you and I hope my videos are helpful!

[@afriendofepicproportions]

@@KeepItTiny Yes, thank you - I really appreciate it!

[@reneap9049]

I was researching others who had built or were living in A-Frames, same as you. Seemed to look like a cheaper way to go until you consider roofing materials. Then the interior considerations, very informative video!!

[@PA96704]

@@reneap9049 mines I built is 16' x 20' it cost me $12,000. I'm unpermitted and in Hawaii so installation is none. But inside is where your cost are.

[@beliyagua]

Wrong place to look for design adv, learn where to look for improvement, architects or designers when it come to these things

[@dmitril.1935]

I have a love & hate relationship with a-frame homes. Thanks for making this.

[@KeepItTiny]

lol, I hear you. I def am going a little hard on them but also I'm just being honest. Spend a few nights in an a-frame and you'll get what I mean.

[@echo3347]

You know I'm building a double AFrame house right? Some of your points are valid but some are a little off. We have minisplits upstairs and flat walls on main floor to give you furniture space and storage. The history of AFrame is rather interesting. Anywho!

[@KeepItTiny]

Damn, that sounds like a cool project. How many SQFT is it? And I agree with you, I know I’m not 100% correct on everything I’m just having a bit of fun and speaking my mind. I’m gonna do some research on the history of the a frame. Maybe that will be a future video. Good luck to you with your project and don’t let me opinion get you down!!! Building from scratch can actually help you navigate through some of the issues I brought up. I think the most important one being the heating and cooling situation. It sounds like you already beat that!

[@sasquatchrosefarts]

@@KeepItTiny have you never shoveled snow off a roof, or seen structures that break in earthquakes or tornadoes/hurricanes? You don't build an a frame because it's cool. You build it because it sheds snow and wind, and is the least likely to kill you in an earthquake. Stay in the city. Go away. Have you ever been on ladders painting a house? Just toss up metal panels and you're done. No constant painting and caulking. You're really slow. Siding is very expensive, just like metal roofing. It all costs money. You're slow.

[@mrstrangetiger3228]

A-frames are great if you're not into having excessive amounts of stuff. It's far more efficient to live with only the things you need both financially and functionally. You have to want an A-frame home and be prepared to live in one. Super good for heavy snow, it'll slide right off. It's my dream home because I love the tiny home life style. I make use of a 24x24x7 bedroom in a two bedroom apartment while I save up to build my dream home. I want just enough room for a twin-xl bed and a small kitchen/dining room for maybe 4 people. The loft will be the living room, Bedroom downstairs. Though you do make a lot of good points. If you're going from a regular large boxy style home to an A-frame home. You'll run into the issues your having.

[@2009charmedmarie]

I agree with most of what you said! However, a lot of these issues can easily be solved with careful planning as well as a strategically thought out design. You can create storage nooks, dormers, benches, add ons, and rooms to create interior walls that will help lessen the negatives. This video really helps to get people thinking outside of the box when building their a-frame so thank you!!

[@KeepItTiny]

Thanks for sharing andI totally agree !!! Some people aren't even aware of the these things and would only learn about them after the build is done and they are living or camping in the a-frame. The best time to think about these issues is before and during the build so you can get around it. I really wanted to make people think a bit more before diving in. That being said though, I absolutely LOVE my a-frame !!!

[@Badkitty17]

I got my 10acres and I’m almost ready to purchase a AFrame . Not sure how big yet .. 1200sf maybe .. it needs a loft bedroom .. and a huge deck .. I have a beautiful yard too ,, I’m sure I’ll love it

[@KeepItTiny]

It sounds like its gonna be sick!!!

[@ArdorAcres]

Thank you for making this video! However I still love the A frame. We are planning to build a 2 story box for the bedrooms and bathrooms and utility/storage and keeping our A frame for our living space alone. As far as the heating though, you definitely gave us something to think about. We are keeping the a frame 1 level so we will probably need a huge fan at the peak as well as a wood burning fireplace on the opposite end of the house as the bedrooms

[@KeepItTiny]

Good luck on your build! I'm happy this video was able to make you think about some problems you weren't thinking about before. That was def the goal, just to make people aware of issues before they arise. I love my a-frame and you guys will love yours!

[@yonmoore]

Good idea doing a hybrid, we're being told that the A frame we have plans for is going to cost us an extra 200k compared with standard stick built construction but I'm skeptical. Do you have any experience in this area?

[@cocktailconcierge713]

A-frames are for high altitude alpine areas where snow build up on normal roof causes big problems. They don’t make sense if their purpose is not required.

[@rcastor100]

Nice! Do circle houses next. Those guys really grind my gears!!!

[@KeepItTiny]

I'm coming for every shape of house in 2022. Yurts, tents, domes, tree houses, all of them. NOBODY IS SAFE.

[@buildlife]

This guy gets it!

[@JenembaSquad]

Peter is that you?

[@digitooze4770]

for the heat problem, wouldn't installing a ceiling fan be enough to get the hot air moving around

[@KeepItTiny]

it would, for a price lol. Most of the issues i brought up can be fixed if you pay more for the fix.

[@warsameadam5572]

yes you're right ceiling fan is easiest way of bringing heat down for double height spaces. And for summer months let heat escape through high up windows or vents.

[@nikosdellaportas7007]

I agree with everything you say here but...larger roof area means less wooden surface exposed to the sun!So...less maintainance every year.Plus...if it's for rbnb use,you don't need so much space for storage.Roof can be lighter (cheaper) since it touches the ground.And correct me if i m wrong...i think it's an easy diy project🙂

[@KeepItTiny]

Thanks for commenting, you are right that a-frames are easier diy projects! Also, the comments about the roof are true too, I was just being grumpy and pointing out something most people don't think about with a-frames. That they are like 90% roof. It has its pros and cons I guess.

[@nikosdellaportas7007]

@@KeepItTiny I still agree with everything you wrote😁But i also think that there must be some advantages in that shape!!By the way...great channel.Keep up the good videos.Thanks for answering

[@BrokeTheGamer]

"Have fun playing the A-Frame heating and cooling game".... $6 thermostatic switch attached to a vent fan that recycles the upper 2nd floor heat to the ground level of the first floor...

[@KeepItTiny]

I'm happy its working out for you! (wish that was the story for more people though)

[@TheSuperfucks]

All things considered a lot of these points are valid. However, the temperature/heating can be controlled pretty well with a ceiling fan. Most have 2 settings. One to push air down and the other to pull air up. Just my 2 cents…

[@KeepItTiny]

Thanks for commenting and also not being nasty lol. I've got a few people who aren't too happy with me lol. And yes, I agree a ceiling fan will def circulate the air better. There is a way around most of the things I brought up actually. I just more so wanted to shine a light on the not so bright side of a-frames. I also wanted to give people who were building or about to build an a-frame some food for thought.

[@obrienrichards9436]

Come on, the entire concept of an A-Frame is for recreational purposes. I would agree that for your regular living quarters, the A-Frame is not the preferred choice. However, for the little occasional country cabin. It can be a used. This is certainly not for older persons, Option:- I would certainly redesign my A-Frame with the main rafters starting on a 1meter - 1.2 meter wall instead of directly from the floor. In this case there is a great amount of usable space from just doing this.

[@mr.silhouette6252]

I do want an A frame home, but if you plan to build one when it comes to space you just have to plan it well. I plan to hide the storage in the flooring itself. Basically these huge closet looking cabinets will rise up from the ground with the push of a button on the first floor, and will drop back down and be hidden within the floor designs. As for the stairs, I plan to hide the storage with each step on the stairs itself, all you have to do is lift up the step and you have some storage, just some ideas, but it is a thinking game. But I do plan to build it smart. And this home will have a foundation in the ground whereas I've seen most A frames above it. This will solve the AC issue since I can have the ventilation built into the floors, or like some people can buy wall units. But this video definitely helps with the thinking process of wanting to build one and how you need to compensate for the cons and work your way through them or around them. Thank you though this definitely gives me insight!

[@KeepItTiny]

Thanks for commenting. You're a-frame sounds like it's going to be sick. Maybe in a few years we feature the house on this channel?!! What you're saying though is spot on. This video isn't about trashing A-frames but making people remember the limitations and inconveniences that a-frames bring up. All of which can be fixed or gotten around with proper planning and a willingness to spend a little more. Some people aren't even aware of this stuff so I really wanted to wake some people up before they screwed themselves over.

[@Ask-a-Rocket-Scientist]

You can put storage at the sides.

[@riverzdad5366]

Yup, still fully plan to build my own myself. Having been on crews building custom homes I have 90% of the main issues solved though. Pretty confident it will work out nicely🤙🏽 Thanks for the vid!

[@KeepItTiny]

Go for it, it sounds like you can do it! Also, thanks for fully understanding the video, i'm not hating on a-frames, Just being honest about things people need to be aware of.

[@riverzdad5366]

@@KeepItTiny For sure! You brought up a lot of things people don’t think about. Refreshing to see actually someone being real about what issues their are vs. the normal “look at how amazing this is! There are no issues, it’s perfect!” deal. Always a give and take with any style, just a matter of what you want to give and what you want to take🤙🏽

[@callahanmcdaniel5055]

Curious about your solutions? My interest in (self) building directs me to a frames for the obvious affordability and simplicity, and since I had the idea I'm trying to brainstorm solutions to the aforementioned issues...

[@callahanmcdaniel5055]

As far as storage the only thing I can come up with is curtain walls on the main floor and a basement 🤷‍♂️

[@sweetrytch]

Can you recommend best Airbnb spots upstate NY? I’m highly thinking of buying in Catskills

[@KeepItTiny]

I'd recommend being as close to Hudson NY as possible and on that side of the river. Hudson is well loved and visited by city folk so people are already going that way. Plus if you are on that side of the river guests can take a train directly to you making it MUCH easier for them. Good luck to you and thanks for leaving a comment and supporting the channel!

[@thomashyde5472]

I lived in one for six months and I loved it. There are ways to make them very efficient and we had plenty of storage and closet space. It just depends on the design. And when I live in was designed very well and they used every inch of space.

[@dearmimi1072]

Wow! Thanks for sharing. Very encouraging points!

[@ALI4916]

Can u please mention what is the size of your cabin ? In terms of w , L & height , And i will be so grateful for any tips that help me with the interior design

[@corentinguillo5577]

Prefab A-frames are much cheaper aren't they? So I'm not sure you actually loose square meters per dollar spent compared to a house shaped house 🏡

[@FastTimesVideo]

For the record, I'm very happy with my Den Outdoors A-Frame. I'm just being honest that A-frames are certainly not the most efficient smartest building to make. They certainly are awesome and have their perks, but in terms of bang for your buck, just build a big ole square like every other cabin/building.

[@briananderson7122]

What plan do you have from den?

[@KeepItTiny]

@@briananderson7122 they sold a cabin kit that arrived in the mail on a flatbed truck with all of the components to put it together. I don't believe they sell that kit anymore though.

[@gregcavanaugh1006]

I lived in an un insulated a-frame home with 2 floors in the desert mountains near Bend Oregon. The wood stove just had a stove pipe in the center with a stove pipe shooting into a slanted wall. There was a regular staircase that was opposite the slanted wall in the center built against a bathroom wall at the back. There was a surprising amount of storage in the kitchen and the built in cabinets upstairs. The windows were glass sliders on front and half the back. Porches nice living room. We only ever heated with the wood stove but the house seemed pretty evenly warm. It stayed as Icey cool as you wanted all day in the summer without any air conditioning. None of these issues happened. I think we just got lucky

[@gabriellehollis9081]

I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks this!

[@KeepItTiny]

Hhaha, i'm glad there is someone else who agrees because I am getting absolutely tore up in the comments section.

[@gabriellehollis9081]

@@KeepItTiny Hahaha! 👍🏽

[@SmirkInvestigator]

Great video. All the details I was curious about. You have to consider the internal cube when considering size I guess if you want to erect a vertical wall for decor and design spaces. Bright side the vertical walls won’t need too much support. Just don’t lean too hard lol. Seems like upper floors will need to be enclosed for temp control.

[@melanielee222]

You made some very good points on the disadvantages of A-frames but I've always loved them. They give me the feeling of open space. The triangle shape of the A-frame house also makes them stronger than other designs, which can help them stand up to harsh climates such as wind, rain, and snow and where I'm from we get all of it. You can also build a wall along the side edges to give storage space and to have furniture leaning against if you so desire.

[@KeepItTiny]

Thanks for leaving the comment and understanding that i don't hate a-frames. I actually love my a-frame cabin. I just had to keep it real and tell people some of the downsides of what its like. Hopefully people will watch this before building their a-frame. Then they can plan all of the fixes out before the build.

[@thebigcatspodcast]

Honestly great content bro I bought land in New Mexico and I’m trying to figure if it would be good to camp next to the rio grande mountains

[@reneap9049]

In less than 10 minutes you convinced me to reconsider an A -Frame!! Everything you said was everything I hadn’t considered. Thank you my friend!!

[@KeepItTiny]

Glad I could help Renea - There is a lot to think about when building or buying an a-frame. Just make sure it is the right option for you! I love my a-frame even with all of its shortcomings. I just want to make people aware its not all rainbow and sunshine lol. Have a great day!

[@GoExperimental]

Glad I watched this, if these are the biggest issues I'm happy to continue!

[@KeepItTiny]

Happy for you! If you can deal with these issues, or even better, fix them during the build process - you will love your a-frame!

[@7thWonder06]

I’m obsessed with the way roofs look 😍

[@KeepItTiny]

I love a good roof as much as the next guy!!! Shingles, metal, solar panels. If it can go on a roof then it has a special place in my heart

[@BaruchMiller]

You made a whole boatload of assumptions. I live in the tropics. A single story a-frame with a window at the top of the triangle is the perfect way to let out all the hot and humid air. While adding a second story would be a huge mistake, and I sympathize with your heating concerns, your concerns mostly revolve around misusing the design, not universal problems.

[@KeepItTiny]

True, assumptions were made, there is no one size fit all a-frame. I really wanted to just touch on some of the negatives though to make people who are about to build or buy an a-frame think about how to resolve those problems before hand.

[@svenhinrichsen458]

Of course I will build my A Frame in Sweden this year. And I will love it!

[@KeepItTiny]

You should! I actually love my a-frame but it does have a few shortcomings. That being said if you can work out all of those kinks you will absolutely love your a-frame as well.

[@colinvanful]

i have to disagree . i once rented an a frame cabin , that had more storage space than my 3 bed 1906 british town house . quite cleverly the guy that built it had fitted ducted a fan system in the apex of the cabin that ducted all the heat back down under the floor and through a tone of old storage heater bricks . although this cabin had a wood stove for heating we never needed to use it , this place had off grid electric and at night you just flicked a switch that turned a small fan on in the sub floor /crawl space that was full of old storage heater bricks . I WAS AMAZED . and as far as having zero storage . this is a mith yet again . the place i stoped at had all the utilitys behind the downstairs walls , built in draws and utilaty cupbords , washer and driers hid behind , this guy built it for his family 50 years ago , i did sugest to him to fit solar pannels but he simply said the old lister gen works like it was new ! and apart from replacing the batterys that it charged every few years it worked fine WHAT AN AMAZIN PLCE IT WAS . ABSOLUTLY NOTHING IN THIS PLACE WAS UP TO CODE / BUILDING REGULATIONS . but it worked fantasticaly .

[@danielflores1629]

I like your rants cause they give some serious food for thought. One of the things I'd like to see you tackle a bit more of is zoning. Maybe a top ten style video on the best places in the country that allow these kinds of projects... zoning wise. That would've helped me tremendously earlier on in my journey.

[@KeepItTiny]

Glad people understood the rant. I'm having a bit of fun but also speaking some truth. Thats a great video idea. Don't sue me when, in the very near future, that style of video comes up on my page! Thanks for the idea and feedback.

[@aemi5929]

For an off grid setting, rain water catchment is really difficult on an A frame unless you bury your rain tanks

[@KeepItTiny]

Very true, and it sucks since A-frames probably would be able to collect the most amount of water

[@Deriko31]

Canals around, and a small pump will do the job, easier if it’s on a slope

[@mattbrown8911]

As the happy owner of a tiny 460 square foot A-frame, you are 100% right!

[@KeepItTiny]

Thanks man!!! I think a lot of people are missing the point but it seems that you got it. I love my tiny A-frame and would def build it again. That being said there are some quirks that are specific to the A-frame and if somebody is going to walk down this road they should be aware of them.

[@investorsguidetothegalaxy]

Starting to watch your video, i thought you have 500k subscribers, thinking purely just of information alone, plus your presentation is super. Keep up the good work! Amazed why you only have just 11k subscribers 🙃

[@KeepItTiny]

Maybe one day! Thanks for checking out the video and supporting. I just have to keep grinding and i'll get there!

[@KeepItTiny]

What do you think? Are A-Frames stupid because they aren't efficient and have their setbacks? Or are they so beautiful and unique you can get past all of that? Are they meant to be misunderstood? Are they meant to be taken as art?

[@PA96704]

Efficient. We use way less materials, smaller foot print, fits well in the environment like nature, and has an awesome feeling.

[@placronbuildit6788]

I like your view point it shows an open mind of thought from the norm i think aproaching it as an art of lifestyle of living

[@Deaven50]

For the heating issue, do you think a heat pump from upstairs to downstairs might be able to mitigate it?

[@TheTravelerMan]

I bought an A-frame before considering all of these issues. I can attest that it is all true. After moving in, I discovered that there is almost no place to hang a picture. A lot of the square footage is wasted by the ceiling; and when I get too close, I hit my head. Heat does rise. Nobody wants to work on ducts in a completed house. I went through five hvac contracts until I found one who removed the central heatpump and replaced it with five minisplits. I had a similar experience finding a roofing contractor to replace a few shingles. Most roofers don't want to scale the A-frame. I bought this house for the views, so I'll be here a while. However, had I realized all the issues concerning A-frames, I'm sure that I would have moved on.

[@KeepItTiny]

It stinks but its true, a-frames are amazing to look at and are fun but they def have some serious shortcomings. Thanks for leaving a comment and joining in on the discussion.

[@pauloshikoy5068]

what are the gains for the implantation of such a house in a semi-arid country? I see that it is more suitable for cold countries.Tranks !!

[@KeepItTiny]

In terms of structural gains, none. A frames work best in areas that snow a lot because you will never have to worry about the roof caving in.

[@randyrice1429]

If you are building in a mountainous, wildfire-prone area, a-frame makes real sense. Make the roof standing-seam metal and snow slides right off. Also, metal is great protection against fire, so nice to have 90 percent of your house covered in it. The exterior design looks great in the mountains, AND, we should all be considering becoming minimalists for the future of our planet.

[@KeepItTiny]

i can't lie, those are all good reasons.

[@danvalicek]

Metal is literally the worst fire protection you can use.

[@kelseashore6677]

You make a lot of valid points. As someone who lives in a large A-frame I value the expanse of empty head room. We have a facade facing south and that space fills with warm light on long winter days here in Canada. Our house was built in 1982 and has lots of custom windows and bump outs for stairs and headroom upstairs. I don't think the heating issue you describe is that specific to a frames, HVAC is just one of the more tricky things about designing your own home. I know this video is old but I just found your channel and I appreciate your perspective.

[@idiorhythmic]

Still planning on building an A-frame but I appreciate the pointers on what to take into consideration before we start.

[@KeepItTiny]

omg yes, you get it! I love a-frames and am happy i have mine. I just want to make people aware of some of these issues before they build their own.

[@mikeowens6343]

Everything you're saying makes sense...But im still building one!!😎 I have a few ideas on how to circulate the air... maybe one will work!!

[@MsFxtrdr]

Insightful video. I'm in the market for A frame cons right now as most of what I'm seeing are broke, unemployed blond babes snuggling in Merino wool and Lulu tights with a hot cup of organic, fair trade coffee in front of an A frame using "OMG" excessively. I'm currently talking with an architect drawing out the features etc. for a passive A frame in the middle of a bunch of mountains in Eastern Europe (read cold). In terms of heat, wouldn't floor heating solve that at least partially? Even dissipation and perhaps a large (extremely instagrammy ofc) fan at the ceiling of those loft style A frames to push the warm air down at a constant rate. It's my understanding that using conventional heaters will give you a cold feet, poached head effect. Floor heating doesn't go for that much in Europe so as with everything I'm thinking the ultra competitive USA is even cheaper. Anyway I'd recommend anyone building any house regardless of how simple it seems to talk to an architect and not just scroll on gram or youtube. I've recently learned that for a house where one wall is just glass, for the view I'd like, positioning on my land is "not great, not terrible" in regards to the Sun. Just getting that right can save me a ton of money in heating even during the winter. No bearded dude in a flannel with a petite blonde girlfriend on yt will tell you that. Talk to an architect.

[@KeepItTiny]

I can't come up with a witty enough response to this comment. It's pure gold LMAO.

[@TheSuperfucks]

Great post!! All humor aside if you’re still talking to an architect or his petite blonde girlfriend maybe ask if you can bury an A frame. What I mean is 8 ft (sorry not metric) down in the surface of the earth the constant temperature is 52° F. (You can convert to Celsius). If you started the foundation at that depth then chances are you could regulate temperatures better. My logic behind this comes from my interest in the sod homes of Iceland. I know if you look at a picture it’s not glamorous, however if you combined that idea with todays tools, tech, knowledge and resources you might be able to pull off something that is one of a kind and sustainable. Just a thought as I have never discussed this with an architect.

[@MsFxtrdr]

@@TheSuperfucks I'm aware of those Icelandic homes. They're pretty cool. In the case of A frames one of the biggest pluses of their design is their low cost to build and very light structure. This also means the foundation is significantly cheaper. I had a few foundation types to choose from but the least invasive one is with Krinner bolts, so no digging involved. The other most used one is with concrete bolts so there's really not that much digging. The classic concrete plaque/base was, in my case, out of the question since the land I own is right on a pretty big river bank and it would be overkill for such a light house. For context it's a 1200 square feet house. I did have a chat with the arch about it though and there are several things you'd have to consider for buried structures. Geographical location and soil type (layers your land has underneath) are the main points to look into. Some layers hold more water, others less. Iceland is also very cold. Easter Europe is becoming less cold every year. We barely had

[@2009charmedmarie]

Then don’t build one? It’s real simple. The cons you listed and those in the video are all things that you should ALREADY KNOW before beginning the building process. You should be doing proper research on whatever home you want to build anyway. It’s really designed for people that are minimalists. Also, if you have a fairly decent sized a-frame with rooms intended for a family, then yes, you will have more walls. Not just the front and back wall like this guy describes. Strategic planning will literally solve half of these issues. You don’t have to be an architect or talk to one for that 😂😂 Oh, btw, your stereotypes make you sound ignorant.

[@MsFxtrdr]

@@2009charmedmarie not exactly sure where you're going with this and against my better judgement I'll reply. A-frame is an atypical design and as with any design there are pros and there are definitely cons. Most of the pros online are fairly superficial and revolve around its design and how easy and cheap it is to build or that they're back in fashion. Truth is if you want to build it the right way and without the cheapest possible materials it's not that cheap or that easy. Buying a T-shirt because you like it is one thing, building a home from scratch is a whole different ball game especially if you live in a very cold or/and earthquake prone area. Reading my comments above it's fairly obvious I opted to build one. To "ALREADY KNOW" before beginning the building process, realistic research entails living in one for a few weeks to see if you even like it that much, talking to people who permanently live in one (or searching for videos of said people as in my case) or to people who build homes for a living i.e. architects and engineers. These aren't exactly the easiest of jobs to come by and to get an unbiased opinion they charge handsomely. How are you supposed to "ALREADY KNOW" otherwise what will fit your bill? Pretty pictures in endless blogs won't cut it, at least for some of us. My ignorant self wasn't aware of all the details that go in building a sustainable home, with this shape and within my budget. In Europe, unless you're dumping a container on your land, a foundation is a legal requirement first of all and you need a permit to build, to estimate the cost of that you need a certified project, to get a certified project you need an architect. Depending on where you live it can be more or less bureaucratic. For a budget friendly, studio sized A frame somewhere in the woods with minor insulation, chopping wood for heat, that sort of stuff then you'd probably have fun hammering a few nails as a weekend project. We're not all going for that. I don't want to leave my kids a vacation home that after a few winters turns into a burden, an endless project that sucks money every year in repairs because it was built using a PDF guide found somewhere online. I reiterate, building a sustainable, passive home is a whole different ball game. That's why you talk to experts to get every single detail planned out from foundation to where you're going to put your solar panels for optimum efficiency. It's not all milk and honey like it is on the web. Building a house is a great experience that can turn into a sour one without careful planning. I have great respect for STEM fields and I trust (I also have to by law) that by paying a qualified architect in the beginning I end up saving a lot of time and money. To each their own. I wish you the best of luck building one!

[@Gracie707]

Me and my fiancé are buying some land and having an A frame house built. We’re simple and don’t like “over living” if you know what I mean. Just 800 square foot is big enough for me and him and possibly a child in the future. Sounds small but the plans I’ve came up with , there’s more than enough room. Especially since I’m gonna have over an acre of land lol. We’re outside folks. Not going out, but outside. So we don’t need much anyways. I like living simple and small. It keeps from getting too much unnecessary things

[@jcfc8197]

When I think of A-Frame homes, I immediately think of my Fisher-Price A-Frame toy from the early 1970’s. Cute yes, but stupid to build and live in. As a kid I wanted to live in a A-Frame, but I grew up and realize they are not practical. I agree 100% with you sir. Great video!

[@KeepItTiny]

Thanks for the kind words, I really needed something like this to put a smile on my face since people really are attacking me in the comment section right now. I am just trying to keep it real though.

[@jcfc8197]

@@KeepItTiny maybe you should list your A-Frame on VRBO and other sites and make money and build a house with walls and not all roofs. Yes they are cute, but cute isn’t comfortable. ❤️

[@lifewithginab]

This popped up on my home page... and you've killed my hopes and dreams... lol my husband watched it too and you bring up some really good points... thanks for sharing!

[@KeepItTiny]

lol i'm so sorry to ruin the fun! In your defense A-frames are awesome, there are just some practical shortcomings that you have to plan around to maximize their utility.

[@lifewithginab]

@@KeepItTiny haha totally fine... I am actually thankful that I watched this! KZbin knew I needed to hear it 😅

[@brennenhrebeniuk9661]

For vacation short term rentals most people prefer an A-Frame over a traditional house because its unique and fun

[@KeepItTiny]

I completely agree, that is why the first thing I built on my land (glampsite) was an a-frame.

[@brennenhrebeniuk9661]

@@KeepItTiny yeah Im 22 and married right now and plan to start my first airbnb by december of 2023 and it will be an A-Frame and when I researched the market only .1% of airbnbs in the area were A-frames and they all had very high nightly rates and lots of reviews.

[@KeepItTiny]

@@brennenhrebeniuk9661 you are gonna crush it !!! I can tell man. Good luck and plz plz plz keep my updated.

[@celiag.2193]

Wow, why did I watch your video, I have always been obsessed with A frame homes, but you made a lot of sense. 😢😢 I'm looking into building my first tiny home what do you suggest since you changed my mind!! 😅

[@gabbyen21]

Fengshui says that triangles represent success in all walks of life

[@KeepItTiny]

Never heard that before but if so then i'm glad I built a-frame. I always so I'm going to take the time to learn more about Fengshui but I never do.

[@juancarlosguzman2827]

Man thank you so much for opening my eyes, I was obsessed with A frames but after I watched your video it changed my mind.

[@KeepItTiny]

Glad I could help! A-frames are cool as hell and if you aren't going to be spending a long amount of time in them they are awesome. The little things though do add up.

[@smadjaone]

Easy to build ! No wall !!!! Low budget !!! Large panel for Solar panel !!! Most résistance !!! From wind. Fresh in summer ! Low foot print !

[@KeepItTiny]

Those are all some pretty good reasons to build and own an a-frame!

[@crysb5099]

As a single mom that has lost her only child at 23, she have sold me on paying more for land and less home. I have no desire for a home. What I lived for is gone, so this sounds absolutely perfect. Thank you

[@boglurker2043]

me and my fiance went to a glamping site with these buildings. they were pretty fun to stay in for a week or so. definitely wouldn't like to live in them full time though, but if i owned some land i would love to have a few of these around as a choice or for guests.

[@JJoy-bk8yr]

I think of A-frames as dream vacation cabins, not homes - unless there are a lot of dormers and such, which kind of defeats the purpose. Seems like they would be good for climates with heavy snow loads, with the steep slope and inherent structural integrity of triangles vs. rectangles. If I was so rich as to have multiple homes, a sweet little A-frame mountain cabin (with electric radiant heated floors) might be one of them. This is the first video of yours that I've seen. I like it - will watch some more now!

[@Trevormy]

The squares and rectangles can be tilted to fit triangular spaces beautifully though. I think A-Frames would be ideal for glamping and getaway locations where the inconveniences of life in A-frames and yarts and container units off the grid, or at unique locations actually makes for a fun shorter-term experience.

[@KeepItTiny]

I completely agree! That is why my a-frame is doing great on airbnb. I actually love my a-frame but just have to be honest that there are some short comings that come along with an a-frame.

[@aitdat]

so what design is better and more efficient for space

[@KeepItTiny]

Pretty much any design other than an a-frame. A-frames are terrible in terms of efficiency. To answer your question more specifically though, a traditional square or rectangle style tiny home is much more efficient.

[@joshsoorlin579]

Good points but u built one?? Ur tellin us u didnt realize these points before u started?

[@KeepItTiny]

Yep I built one, and i'm happy with my a-frame. I just am being honest with the experience and pointing things out that people should be aware of.

[@DeadCat-42]

The old A frame near me has a large basement, storage, space for vents. the one side is flat walled (large a-frame) so there are a line of large (triangle inside) of closets along one side and flat walls, the other side has a lot of windows.

[@Jakelol1980]

A-frame is one of the easiest houses to build.

[@KeepItTiny]

Very true, this is def big on the top reasons to build an a-frame.

[@Bournefort]

Very good points. I would never consider an A-Frame for a home. I'm planning one for an off-grid cabin that I will sleep in maybe 10 days out of the year. Simple framing and build is the main reason I like the A-Frame. I can't transport trusses back into the woods.

[@Buildsolarhomes]

To each his own.

[@sluggotinfantryman]

Wrong. Easy. 14 12 pitch. Come out from wall 4 feet build wall you have tons of storage. Run duct behind them. Build floor 3 feet thick use it as trunk. Base has to be 36 feet wide. So top has 16 feet. Mini splits. Lol. Did I say mini splits? If all open run a duct recycle heat back down put it above ties. Have a 3 foot flat ceiling. An A frame is unconventional. Intentionally. Gonna build a huge one. With mulled windows and 3 double doors. Stairs dead center two sets f it. One each way. Half bath under each. The beds are dead centered upstairs. Each end. Walls? It's a roof. I say TGI it 40 feet or more. Squash blocks whatever however you want to tie it together. Use .75 foam board then metal roof. Fill 10 inches of TGI with R 100000. Tounge groove inside "ceiling". Realistically go for 28 feet cross space down 20 feet up. I actually like knee walls. Seriously strengthens it all. Like a 4 foot ceiling up top in pointy section. You want mother of all insulation in roof. Zero heat gain up top. Open plan loft, build a heated floor downstairs. Radiated.

[@CorneiliusLibowitz]

"Like a 4 foot ceiling up top in pointy section." If i were to build an A-frame, i'd use the "attic" space above the 4 ft ceiling as a duct to vent out heat during the summer evenings and nights. I envision installing a whole house fan that is mounted to exhaust the air directly to the outside at one end of the house, and have intake vents along the ceiling. Open the windows, and enjoy the cool, fresh air rushing in throughout the house... And if it's hot a muggy outside, then have a residential grade Big Ass Fan installed and run the regular AC... I'm a big fan (pun intended) of Polish air conditioning....i use a whole house fan in one of my large double hung windows in my house and it works great, as long as it's below about 68º outside.... Much rather use it than regular AC...cheaper, and fresh air is better....

[@marvinlopez6881]

Damn dude, what happened?

[@KeepItTiny]

I’m actually just having a bit of fun. I love my aframe cabin. It’s sleek and cozy. I made this video to just make sure people are aware of what they are signing up for with an A Frame

[@sporty05]

Thank you for this. Gives me pause on building the A-frame that I have dreamed about for years. My wife and I stayed in one via Airbnb and I experienced several of the drawbacks you talked about, such as hitting my head coming down the stairs and having to navigate a treacherous descent at night to pee. Also, the lack of storage is a bummer.

[@creed200569]

Majority of what he talks about is not difficult. With an imagination and countless videos on KZbin, you can find ways for everything.

[@maxpowers8673]

I don't think you really get it, man. You are trying to think critically about something that is abstract. Have a coke and a smile and chill out !!!

[@KeepItTiny]

Thanks for always commenting on the channel. Maybe I do need to take it easy huh?

[@zlatan0003]

Most of your gripes have very clear solutions. The only point you have is that it'll cost more. Most A frames are cabins where there's a lot of snow which is perfect design wise. Planning on building an A frame cabin myself.

[@KeepItTiny]

Well said! They all can absolutely be fixed with proper planning before the build, and money. My true goal with this video is to make people think more before building and be aware of these issues before they move into an a-frame so they can start combatting them from the beginning.

[@cuteone1702]

Great video. Thanks.

[@KeepItTiny]

Thanks for checking out the video and commenting/supporting the channel!

[@cptexploderman]

Interior paneling or dry wall, you can add low walls to every room.

[@johnny07652]

To me, the reason for building a small a-frame cabin/hut is because it would be easier than a traditional cabin - if it is easier then it's worth dealing with everything else you mentioned. If it's not much easier for one guy to build then I won't build one, I'll just make a square cabin. I wish you addressed more important issues.

[@DELLRS2012]

A-frames with a slate or aluminum roof seem like they would be very fire resistant. I’ve always wondered if this was tested.

[@cousin_JACK]

You’re so right I don’t know what I was thinking seriously considering building one instead of a standard shop

[@KeepItTiny]

There are way more pros of building something standard than cons. But we can't lie and have to admit, there is just something so cool and alluring about an a-frame!

[@erickdraven4810]

I agree with you to a point. In small A frame houses you are 100% true. I built my off grid A frame with shipping containers. Every room downstairs, except the dining room, foyer and living rooms, have 8ft ceilings and regular walls. Even the first 3 rooms I mentioned have 8ft regular walls. All I'm saying is size matters.

[@robertsaca3512]

I'm an Australian architect living in 40 degree C weather right now and just finished my A frame. The A starts half way up the build so I have vertical walls on the lower living level and a basement garage that's tilt slab (concrete). In the winter it's heated via a massive wood fired stove with a cold air intake for secondary burn, so extremely efficient and almost free given the abundance of constantly replenished fuel in the area. In summer it's cooled top down via inverter splits. Heat can escape via remote controlled windows at the top and the cold air falls to the living areas. The only issue is cost. It cost slightly more to build, but maintenance is more expensive, especially cleaning the Oregon exposed frame once a year for dust and cobwebs. It looks like none of the cheap kit builds you see everywhere else, which is why there are people taking pictures of our place every day. It's gorgeous. I sense you have a misunderstanding of why they have existed for hundreds of years, the main reason they aren't built much here is the cost.

[@cards999]

Because of the low roof, also consider how fences, deck railings, and trees can create a natural highway for squirrels/pests if they connect to the house in the wrong places. If you have wooden siding, that can lead to a lot of chewing damage, as squirrels' teeth never stop growing so they often chew on wooden structures. I unknowingly bought one that had a long history of squirrel problems due to these issues.

[@SupImTylerP]

Do you think A-frame homes are cheaper to build than regular square homes because of the fewer walls to build?

[@KeepItTiny]

A-frames are 100% cheaper to build than most traditional homes.

[@brianlovelady6517]

Can you reccomend an A frame builder

[@jonwatson1525]

I grew up spending many summers in my Grandpa's A frame. I absolutley loved it, easy to maintain and deep snow never stuck to the roof. Now with the heating, he's right anout ipstairs being so jot compaired to downstairs. Easy fix with mini splits and circulation ducting.

[@jordanm2984]

What about an A-frame with a basement?

[@KeepItTiny]

That s certainly a possibility. A bit pricy but it def can be done.

[@mi1stormilst]

I love A frames and everything you said we have all heard before. To get any building shape other than square it will cost a ton and A frames are probably the cheapest option...plus they are cute.

[@KeepItTiny]

I agree with you, they are one of the most visually striking structures. Also, like you said, I didn’t really say much of anything new for people who do their research. The problem is most don’t and enter an echo chamber where they only watch the positive videos on a-frames. I just wanted to pour a little reality on those people to give them more info. I still love my a-frame. Just don’t think its for everyone and every type of use case.