Design Approach

TightLines Designs began as a firm committed to meeting the growing need for quality, modestly sized single family home designs with an emphasis on community, sustainability, historic sensitivity and accessibility. To address a constantly evolving housing market, TightLines recently added multi-family and rehabilitation projects to its portfolio of product services.

Most TightLines home designs range in size from 900 to 1600 square feet, but can be easily customized to fit individual preferences. The home interiors are designed to cater to the needs of families by including modern amenities, ample storage and open living spaces. Our smaller single family home designs feature at least two bedrooms and two bathrooms, with each bedroom comprising a minimum of 100 square feet. All homes feature nine foot ceilings on the first floor, a master suite with a private bathroom, laundry closet for side-by-side washer and dryer, dedicated dining and living areas, and kitchens that open into the living space.

Our multi-family projects have included supportive housing tax credit endeavors in North Carolina and senior living facilities. Our designers have also worked extensively on efficient modular and Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) projects.  

Community Oriented

Integral to all of our designs is the connection of a home’s living space to the street. Spacious front porches and front facing living rooms turn owners’ eyes to the street, encouraging conversations with passing neighbors and discouraging crime, while building a strong connected community.

Sustainable

TightLines Designs is committed to designing quality homes that tread lightly on the environment, minimize energy costs, and are beneficial to the health of families.

 We are proud to be part of the community of businesses who have joined with ENERGY STAR® to provide home designs that are energy efficient and reduce pollution. In addition to ENERGY STAR, we highly recommend participation in a green certification program to further ensure that new homes conserve energy, natural resources, and maintain optimal indoor air quality.

 TightLines construction drawings include the following sustainable details:

  • Framing Efficiency — Interior and Exterior insulated 2-stud corners with drywall clips, T-walls with drywall clips, non-bearing wall studs at 24” on-center, and prefabricated roof and floor trusses
  • Raised heel trusses (for framing efficiency and continuity of insulation)
  • Insulated window and door header details
  • Overhang depth options
  • Window flashing details
  • Metal roof drip edge and roof gutters
  • Continuous foundation drainage and termite flashing
  • ENERGY STAR specifications for effective insulation, high-performance windows, tight construction and ducts, efficient heating and cooling equipment, and lighting and appliances.

Historic Appeal

We believe the character and curb appeal of our homes’ exteriors is an essential part of enhancing homeowner pride and the built environment. The facades of TightLines homes feature deep overhangs, wide trim, column options, bracket options, and spacious front porches.

In addition to new communities, many TightLines homes have been constructed as infill housing in National Historic Districts across North Carolina. We believe revitalization of neighborhoods is a way to restore energy and hope for future generations and to invoke a sense of pride from the past. We have extensive experience with historic architecture and communities and will gladly help you research and obtain the required approvals for use in historic districts.

Accessible

Our single story home plans can be modified to meet stringent Universal Design standards by indicating accessible entrances, 3’ wide doorways, larger turn-around space in kitchens and bathrooms, accessible bathroom fixtures, and accessible cabinetry to accommodate the handicapped and elderly. Our standard crawlspace foundation can be easily replaced with a structural concrete slab on grade to avoid unnecessary ramps.