Backyard Tiny Home Built With Cedar Shingles

I built a tiny house in my backyard completely from scratch. This project includes cedar shake shingles, a sleeping loft, French doors, two skylights, and a 12V electrical system, making it both functional and efficient. This tiny house was built as a hands-on DIY project and a step toward simpler living. If you’re thinking about building a tiny house, backyard studio, or off-grid-style space.

The video for the entire build, https://youtu.be/Zh48b83haw4

1. Floor System (8' × 12')

1. 2×4 lumber (floor frame & blocking)
2. 1/2" exterior-grade plywood
3. R-12 batt insulation (for walls, floor and ceiling)

2. Wall Framing (16" OC)

1. 2×4 studs
2. OSB or plywood
3. 3" framing nails or structural screws

3. Cedar Shake Siding (Hand-Split Cedar Logs)

1. Cedar logs
2. Breathable house wrap

4. Roof Structure

1. 2×6 rafters @ 24" OC
2. 5/8" OSB
3. Cedar cut planks 1/2" thick
4. 2-1/2" framing nails
5. 2" sheathing nails

The flooring measures 8' × 12' and is constructed using 1/2" solid plywood on a 2×4 framed base, insulated with R-12 insulation.

The walls are framed using 2×4 studs spaced 16 inches on center, with OSB plywood installed as the exterior sheathing.

The roof is constructed with 2×4 rafters secured using hurricane ties, and finished with 1/2" hand-milled boards running across the breadth of the building. R-12 insulation is installed between the rafters for thermal performance.

The interior uses a plastic vapour barrier and drywall, which my kids helped paint into rainbows of light that beam down from the two skylights above the loft.

I built my own DIY saw mill using a chain saw and planned cedar planks for the final finishing to the ceiling.

Cedar logs were cut into 18-inch blocks and split using a wood splitter to create thick exterior cedar shingles. The cedar shakes are overlapped and nailed into place, while the trim is crafted from offcuts of the same cedar logs used in milling the ceiling planks.

The final touch was applying a cedar wood stain, giving the building a warm gingerbread house appearance.

An old tree was repurposed to create a tree ladder leading up to the loft. I also programmed Alexa to control the interior and exterior lighting. The entire building runs on 12V LED lights and LED strips, powered by a solar panel and a car battery.