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TDHH Designs are recognized as a leading authority in converting new and antique Airstream [ as well as other aluminum trailers] into upscale healthy living, travel and work environments. Many of these trailers are designed especially for those with allergies and chemical sensitivities, but others are purchased by those simply interested in protecting their good health. All our trailers are custom designed for all uses, including location trailers, guest houses, cottages, emergency clean or sleeping rooms, safe travel accommodations, and for full time living environments. Though we prefer to use the higher quality aluminum skinned trailers, we may work with other types to fill a client's requirements. Over the years we have worked primarily on Airstreams and have renovated models from as early as the 40's- all the way up to new models. A client's choice of individual models or types may be influenced by space or size requirements, aesthetic preferences, and personal financial guidelines. |
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Interiors can be done in any number of materials, including organic fabrics, bedding and soft goods, stainless steel counter tops, special wall panels, and our own specially milled hardwood or ceramic floors. We currently have trailers underway with beautiful maple and cherry floors- ceramic [with custom inlay work], commercial and even custom painted floors.
Our trailers have any number of new innovations, including lifting the trailer roof to a new height or adding lots of glass windows or skylights.
Equipment options are endless and may include, full sized bath tubs and showers [including antiques claw foot tubs!], stoves and refrigerators, air filtration, reading or computer boxes vented to the outside, off the grid solar power, or any other item a client may need to live or work in a healthy environment.
Our design abilities range from the bare minimum and clean room design, to 40's and 60's period interiors, and all the way to outrageously lavish! Healthy Homes design center is working on several custom designed trailers that use new materials with color and light to the max. Bright colors, all custom designed furniture, lighting and graphics - bring the AIRSTREAM to a new level in interior design!!
We follow strict processes that we have developed from years of experience. The data for all our projects is gathered and entered on computer, and updated numerous times throughout the project as a check and balance for all parties to review. These guidelines have been created after years of private testing and experimenting, using different building methods and various materials, as well as exposing trailers to different types of weather and environmental conditions.
We have taken the time to actually build and then take apart trailers that have been renovated after certain periods of time, to see the affects of different conditions on various building methods and materials. This has been invaluable in helping determine what risks exist under varied conditions with numerous materials and methods, as well as how to avoid those risks in the future. There are scores of details that may vary from trailer to trailer that can influence the long term integrity of the work, and therefore the health quality of the project. These two areas are intricately related. Educated and very experienced in the field of chemical sensitivities and sub odor level toxic's, Tad understands process and detail is everything, along with paying attention to the individual signs that may influence integrity. This is extremely specialized work. Missing or overlooking one simple step, of any one in a list of exact processes, could easily cause project failure.
Locating a specific trailer for a client is fairly simple. Each person usually has an interest in a certain type or size trailer, which we can locate, inspect, and video tape for the client to see. Or we purchase trailers ourselves, and start the renovation process right away, which provides clients with an option of looking in our trailer yard for that special beauty! Our network of dealers and private parties provides a great opportunity for locating that exact year and model a client may want. Our inspections follow detailed checklists to give the client all the details necessary to analyze that trailer completely for their project and use. Our checklist becomes the foundation for the cost analysis and estimate sheets for the project. Obviously the condition of the trailer will determine costing for certain areas, like rebuilding mechanical, repairing damages and so on.
We usually have a number of trailers available for clients to see and purchase at our center. Typically there are several trailers being worked on for spec, as well as any number being prepared for clients who have already purchased a trailer. Our yard is a private closed yard and is opened by appointment only for viewing work in progress or completed models. We have been known to have the largest number of antique trailers in the country undergoing renovations.
Material options are always a concern for highly reactive people. For them, from our well stocked design studios, we are able to suggest the latest in new, as well as our time tested materials that have been successful for even the most reactive people, and we can provide sample materials for each client to test, if required. We also have a list of options for all materials, as sometimes people are highly allergic to specific components of coatings or even freshly cut edges of metals! Occasionally we have clients who are allergic to hardwood, stainless steel, and materials that most of us think are inert or odorless. The key for us is to create a risk free environment by determining client sensitivity levels and key trigger items. Following our process brings a successful resolution to all these concerns.
Costs for renovating the trailers vary widely, as the type, size, general overall condition, specific requirements for individual clients, equipment, and material choices influence the final cost. For a detailed look at the many cost concerns, see our book "Renovating Trailers and Rev.'s.," second edition , or our General Project Cost Sheets. Costs are also influenced by the year and model of the trailer, and how much work needs to be done for a renovation. Certain models of trailers suffer from specific problems and may increase renovation costs considerably. Typically we contract renovated trailers out at a minimum of $2000.00 to $2500.00. a running foot. This means a 19 footer could possibly be completed for $38,000.00 to $47,000. There are numerous options and variables that influence this costing scale. For example,clean room trailers are at the bottom of the costing scale, while a 12 volt solar and full dress trailer would be more costly.
Trailer lengths start at 12 feet, and go up to 34 feet. We occasionally do larger models of other type trailers and park models, but the ease of towing or maneuvering fade with the extra length and weight. Our renovations are generally on the lighter side of what the original gross vehicle weight of the trailer was, but if you decide to go with a big trailer with full dress options, the weight can be the same or more than the original.
Interiors designs are generally of three types, clean room, standard and deluxe. The deluxe is a completely buffed interior with all the toys and comforts of the finest homes, but many of our clients are so sensitive to the slight odors, that this may not be an option for them. Clean room trailers, especially designed for those with severe sensitivities, typically have no running water and facilities, while a standard design has all the requirements for full time living, such as tub or shower, sinks for bath and kitchen, hot water heater, stove, refrigerator and so on. The clean room trailer is a great place to get away from all the odors including very low level toxics that may be generated by household equipment like a stove or refrigerators, while the standard renovation may have some low level risks with this equipment. Costing for the clean room is obviously less than a standard design. Clean room trailers are great for sleeping and work, especially for highly reactive people. This type of clean room environment, with no odors from any toxics, gives us the edge to help our body clean out and gather strength.
If you are interested in converting a trailer by yourself, we recommend you take your time and gather all the information you can before you commit to this type of project. This is a very detailed and difficult undertaking. We are happy to consult with you regarding your project, along with all the other types of building and renovating projects we do.
We take work in the order that we receive retainers and deposits. Completion time tables depend of current work loads.
Generally our time table is 3 months for any trailer we have in the yard, and four months for any search and location project, where we have to go out and find a specific year or model.
