Unit One

A modular house
in kit form
for owner-assembly
Shelter-Kit Incorporated

When we started our business in 1970, our UNIT ONE

idea was to produce a simple, yet versatile
modular house in kit form that amateur A 12’x12’ weathertight shell of post and beam
builders could assemble in a few days; that framing with a shed roof.
could easily be enlarged by adding other
components; that could be converted from a
seasonal to a year-round home; or could be PORCH
built initially as either one, and above all could
be kept low in pice. A 9’x12’ roofed platform that can be enclosed
to make an additional room.
We think we’ve accomplished this goal.

DECK
Our products A 9’x12’ unroofed platform.
Shelter-Kit Incorporated manufactures three
basic architect-designed and engineer-tested
These three modules can be joined together
houses, each with its own additional com-
in an almost infinite variety of combinations
ponents. In keeping with our high standards,
to create small, medium-size, or large houses.
all are made of superior quality materials
The choice of plans can be entirely up to the
that form the basis of three modular systems
customer. The house plans included in this
of house building designed for owner-
folder are suggested possibilities.
assembly. Unit One was the first, followed by
Lofthouse 16 and Lofthouse 20.

An illustrated catalog for the latter two

buildings is available.

Shelter-Kit Incorporated 22 Mill Street PO Box 1 Tilton New Hampshire 03276 (603) 286-7611 © 2003 Shelter-Kit Incorporated
Why Unit One is unique
Designed for amateur builders
Unit One can be assembled in about four
days by two people with no building skills
or knowledge of blueprint reading.
A complete kit
The kit contains all the materials needed to
construct the Unit One shell. Hand-selected
quality lumber is pre-cut, pre-drilled to
minute tolerances, and labeled. These
materials are bound together with high-
strength plastic strapping in individual
bundles weighing approximately 100 pounds.
All required hardware is also labeled and
packed in separate containers.
Portability
The contents of each kit can be carried to
sites inaccessible by truck or heavy equip-
ment, so it’s not necessary to build an
expensive road.
All tools furnished
No power tools are needed. All necessary
tools are furnished and even include two
stepladders and two carpenters’ aprons!
(A complete tool list is included with the
Specifications.)
Consumer-tested Construction Manual
Written for the owner-assembler, not the
professional builder, the manual illustrates
step-by-step instructions that correspond to
all the labeled parts of the kit and guides
the builders to the completion of the house.
It is the key to successful assembly. Every
purchaser of Unit One receives a manual well
in advance of the kit’s delivery so he will
have ample opportunity to become familiar
with the materials and construction
procedure.
Framing system
The post and beam frame, with its custom-
designed heavy aluminum angles and
brackets, makes it possible for the entire
weight of both floor and roof to be carried
by six posts. Thus the walls are non-load
bearing and conventional structural bracing
can be eliminated. This allows for 12’x6’8’”
sliding glass doors across the entire front
opening, and the placement of other doors
and windows in virtually any location. Non-
structural bracing is used to support the
siding. When two or more components are
joined together, the intermediate walls can
be eliminated.
Foundation and the environment
Minimal disturbance to the environment is
achieved by the simplicity of the foundation
and Shelter-Kit’s unique construction method.
The post and beam frame of Unit One requires
only a poured concrete pier for each of the six
posts. Site preparation instructions (provided
along with the Construction Manual) explain
in detail where those piers are to be located
and how they are installed. The majority of our
customers have installed the piers themselves
without assistance from professionals.
More Information
Price
A price list/order form is included in this folder.
In the interest of improving our products,
Shelter-Kit reserves the right to change prices
and specifications without notice.
Building Codes
All Shelter-Kit buildings meet or exceed
applicable National Building Code standards.
(See Specifications for design loads.) Most
towns require building department permits.
This should be ascertained by the owner
before construction begins.
Transportation
Unit One is shipped directly from the factory
in Tilton, New Hampshire as soon as possible
after receipt of an order. Shelter-Kit will
deliver to any mainland site within 200 miles
of the factory for the fee shown on the price
list/order form. However, we have found that
the most economical and convenient method
is for us to rent a 16 foot U-Haul truck (or its
equivalent) in the customer’s name- load it,
then turn it over to you for you to drive to the
site. (The truck can be turned in to the U-Haul
dealer nearest the site.)
Two to three Unit Ones with deck/porch kits
can be loaded in one truck. Because of the
weight and length of the materials in the kit, it
is not possible to use a pick-up truck, van or
trailer.
How to buy a Shelter-Kit house
1 We recommend a planned visit to our office
In Tilton where we can show you actual S-K
buildings, how the modular system works,
and slides of houses that other customers
have “designed” and built.Specific plans
can be discussed, and block models can
be experimented with in order to create the
Shelter-Kit house you’d like.
2 After we receive your order, we will send
you a confirmation and your building will
then be scheduled for production. If you
have allowed us enough time, the kit will be
ready on the date you specify. Normal
fabrication time is four weeks-somewhat
longer in summer months.
3 During the interim between ordering and
receiving your kit, the site should be prepared
and the piers installed. Allow at least a week
for the concrete to set before construction
begins. You should also purchase a large
tarpaulin or roll of heavy plastic to protect the
bundles of lumber in each kit after delivery
and during construction.
The payment schedule is explained on the
price list/order form. Unless Shelter-Kit
agrees in writing to a variation in the
schedule, we must ask you to adhere to it
as it is set forth.
Services
We’d rather lose a sale than gain an unhappy
or dissatisfied customer! So we make every
effort to advise you in any way we can to
facilitate the successful completion of your
Shelter-Kit house. We’re a small company-
so we think we’re better able to determine
each customer’s requirements and wishes in
detail before the house is built. What’s more
-we really care whether you’re happy with
the results.
We can advise you on how to go about getting
a building permit
We can tell you how to install insulation in
your S-K house.
We can supply information about which
wood stove, among the many on the market,
we think is best.
What should be done about a septic system?
A well for your water supply? We can tell
you what we know. And if we don’t know
the answer, or have no opinion on a question
-we’ll tell you that too.
Uses of Shelter-Kit buildings

In addition to seasonal and year round Many other uses are possible:
homes our buildings have been used as:
Nursery School
Warming house for paddle tennis court Cabana on the beach or at a pool
Artist studio Youth hostel
Study Camp buildings
Real estate office Storage shed
Pump room to house snow-making Carpenters shop
equipment at ski area Trail-side shelter
Emergency store for flood victims Gift shop

We invite you to look us up in articles and photo/listings in the following publications:

A Design and Construction
Handbook For Energy Efficient
Homes by Alex Wade; Rodale Press,
1977
The Complete Kit House Catalog,
By Frank Coffee; Wallaby Pocket
Books, Simon & Schuster, 1979
Kit Houses By Mail, by Brad McDole
and Chris Jerome; The Stonesong
Press, Grosset & Dunlap, Inc., 1979
30 Energy Efficient Houses, by Alex
Wade; Rodale Press, 1980
The Complete Catalog of Mail
Order Kits, by Anna Sequoia; Rawson,
Wade Publishers, Inc. 1981
Getting a Roof Over Your Head, by
The editors at Garden Way; Garden
Way Publishing, 1983
The Home How-To Source Book, by
Mike McClintock: Charles Scriber’s
Sons Publishers, 1983
The Best Kit Homes, by Joanna Family Handyman – May/June 1985
Wissinger; Rodale Press, 1987
Harrowsmith – May/June 1987,
Workbench – July, August 1971 November/December 1989
Science & Mechanics – Aplril 1972 Family Circle – August 1987
Woman’s Day – September 1972 New York Times – 28 June 1971,
20 April 1975
Mechanix Illustrated – June 1973,
1975 Boston Globe – 31 August 1975
The First New England Catalogue Maine Times – 15 May 1981
– 1973
Christian Science Monitor – 11
House & Garden Guide – 1973-74 September 1981
Edition
New Hampshire Times – 12 May 1982
The Washingtonian Magazine – July
Pittsburg Press – 21 November 1982
1974
USA Today – 9 December 1982
House & Garden – January 1976
New Hampshire Sunday News –
Popular Science – March 1979
11 October 1987
Country Journal – October 1980,
Washington Post – 21 January
January/February 1990
1988, 1 June 1989
Fine Homebuilding – October/
November 1981
The modular compoments
How the modular system works

UNIT ONE Unit One with a deck.

PORCH

ENCLOSED PORCH Add another Unit One

and an enclosed porch.

DECK

Add a Unit One.

Add a Unit One and a deck.

Add two more Unit Ones

and two more decks.
Elevations
Specifications
Rev 3/03 All Shelter-Kit buildings are sold without insulation, partitions, interior finish or fixtures.
S-K reserves the right to substitute materials of equal quality to those listed below.

Unit One Windows Windows

One 5’x3’ two-panel sliding window. None.
Piers “bronze” aluminum frame, 1/2” insulating
Six 10” dia concrete piers. 1/2” dia anchor glass (standard). Full screen included. Doors
bolts imbedded in tops. None.
Clerestory
Design live loads 1/8” clear plexiglass 16”x11’ 8” (installed Options
Roof (snow) 50 lbs sq/ft above sliding glass door). Same as Unit One.
Floor 40 lbs sq/ft
Walls (wind) 15 lbs sq/ft Options Hardware
1. Extra 5’x3’ sliding windows. Same as Unit One.
Overall dimensions 2. 3’x3’ sliding windows.
12’x12’ Area 144 sq ft Weight approx 2 3. 6’x6’ 8” sliding glass doors. Instructions
tons. Height of floor above piers 2’ 4. 3’x6’ 8” solid core pre-hung exterior Construction Manual supplement. (When
doors. porch enclosed, also Construction Manual
Ceiling height supplement.)
Front 9’2” Rear 7’10” Hardware
Bolts 1/2” dia galvanized steel, with DECK
Frame galvanized steel nuts & washers.
Posts 4x4 Douglas fir, select, Anchor bolts ( for foundation ) not Piers
structural. included. Same as Porch.
Floor joists 2x10 spruce, 2’ o.c. Nails All galvanized.
Floor headers 2x10 spruce, single Other Custom-designed & machined Overall dimensions
or double as required aluminum angles & brackets. Same as porch. Weight approx 1/4 ton.
Rafters 2x10 Douglas fir or Galvanized steel joist connectors,
southern yellow pine hangers, bridging, post anchors. Frame, Flooring, Hardware
no. 1. Same as Unit One. NOTE: 2x6 spaced
Roof Joists 2x10 spruce, single or Instructions decking is sometimes available as an option.
double as required. Site preparation & Construction Manual.
Studs 2x4 spruce (used as Instructions
nailing points on siding). PORCH Construction Manual supplement
Sheathing Piers TOOLS
Siding 1x8 pine, t & g Three 10” dia concrete piers. 1/2” dia anchor 2 wrenches 3/4” 2 hammers
clapboard. bolts imbedded in tops. 1 saw 1 nail set
Flooring 1x8 pine, t & g.
Roofing 3/4” A-C exterior Overall dimensions 1 large screwdriver 1 string level
plywood, 4’x8’ sheets. 9’x12’ Area 108sq ft Weight approx 1/2 ton. 1 No. 1 Philips head 1 carpenter’s level
(When porch enclosed, weight approx 3/4 screwdriver 1 paint pail
Weather sealing ton.) 1 No. 2 Philips head 1 paint brush
Roof Double coverage
(mineral surface) roll Ceiling height screwdriver 1 pc chalk
roofing. All nails Front 7’0” Rear 8’4” 2 stepladders 6’ 1 ball string
concealed. Aluminum or 2 carpenters’ aprons 1 folding rule
galvanized steel drip Frame
edge. identical to Unit One, except roof frame 2 pr work gloves 1 linoleum knife
Frame clear wood preservative, uses short-span 2x6 Douglas fir rafters, 2’ 1 caulking gun Hand cleaner
field-applied. o.c. 1 roofing brush w/pole
Joints Caulking compound,
field-applied with Sheathing 2 gals clear wood preservative & 3 tubes
caulking gun. Siding None. (Same as Unit One when caulking compound are included in the Unit
porch is enclosed.) One kit.
Doors Flooring Same as Unit One.
One set 12’x6’8” four-panel sliding glass Roofing Same as Unit One.
doors. “bronze” aluminum frame, 5/8”
insulating tempered glass (standard). Weather sealing
Keylock, twoscreen panels included Same as Unit One.
Frame One

CONSTRUCTING FRAME ONE

Frame One is a stripped-down

twin of Unit One; same size,
same high quality of design and
materials. But it’s the frame
only – without flooring, roofing,
siding, doors or windows.

The compact kit can be shipped

economically to any part of the
country in five bundles that
KIT 170 include all pre-cut lumber and
all hardware required to complete
1 Unit One frame the frame.
FRAME ONE COMPLETED
CONSTRUCTING A UNIT ONE

A UNIT ONE COMPLETED

Expansion of a Unit One

BEFORE (198 square feet)

AFTER (450 square feet)

BEFORE

Unit One with a deck is the simplest

form of this modular house.

AFTER

The owners more than doubled its

space by converting the deck to a
porch, and by adding another Unit
One and enclosed porch to make
additional rooms.

The Shelter – Kit modular system is

designed to make such additions
easy and practical.
Cabin plans

KIT 38
1 Unit One
1 Porch
1 12’ sliding glass door
1 5’x3’ sliding window
1 set tools
Construction Manual
KIT 51
1 Unit One
1 Enclosed Porch
1 Deck
1 12’ sliding glass door
2 3’x3’ sliding windows
1 set tools
Construction Manual

KIT 49
1 Unit One
1 Porch
1 Special Deck
1 12’ sliding glass door
1 5’x3’ sliding window
1 set tools
Construction Manual
Partitions, screens, fixtures & furnishings supplied by owner.
A C

Cabin A Unit One allows ample and comfortable

space for two. Bunks with storage area
beneath, shelves and a drop-table can be
built in. A small wood-burning stove pro-
vides adequate heat in the uninsulated shell
even in 20 degree temperatures. Cooking is
satisfactory on a propane stove. An outdoor
toilet is easy to construct.

Cabin B Unit One with both a porch and an open

deck creates additional space to allow for
the installation of a small bathroom and
kitchenette at the rear.

Cabin C The addition of an enclosed porch at the

rear to accommodate a bathroom and small
kitchen makes possible the full use of Unit One
B
1-bedroom plan (454 square feet)

KIT 55
1 Unit One
2 Enclosed Porches
2 Decks (1 Special)
1 6’ sliding glass door
1 5’x3’ sliding window
4 4’x3’ sliding windows
1 set tools
Construction Manual

Partitions, screens, fixtures & furnishings supplied by owner.

Elevations
1-bedroom plan (450 square feet)

KIT 43
2 Unit Ones
1 Enclosed Porch
1 Deck
1 12’ sliding glass door
2 5’x3’ sliding windows
3 3’x3’ sliding windows
1 junction kit
1 set tools
Construction Manual

Partitions, screens, fixtures & furnishings supplied by owner.

Elevations
2-bedroom plan (629 square feet)

KIT 89
2 Unit Ones
2 Enclosed Porches
2 Decks
1 12’ sliding glass door
2 5’x3’ sliding windows
3 3’x3’ sliding windows
1 junction kit
1 set tools
Construction Manual

Partitions, screens, fixtures & furnishings supplied by owner.

Elevations
2-bedroom plan (686 square feet)

KIT 36
2 Unit Ones
3 Enclosed Porches
1 Deck
1 12’ sliding glass door
1 5’x3’ sliding window
6 3’x3’ sliding windows
1 junction kit
1 set tools
Construction Manual
Partitions, screens, fixtures & furnishings supplied by owner.
Elevations
2 to 4-bedroom plan (895 square feet)

KIT 28
3 Unit Ones
3 Enclosed Porches
2 Decks
1 12’ sliding glass door
5 5’x3’ sliding windows
1 3’x3’ sliding window
2 junction kits
1 set tools
Construction Manual

Partitions, screens, fixtures & furnishings supplied by owner.

Elevations
3-bedroom plan (730 square feet)

KIT 79
3 Unit Ones
2 Enclosed Porches
1 Deck
1 12’ sliding glass door
4 5’x3’ sliding windows
2 3’x3’ sliding windows
2 junction kits
1 set tools
Construction Manual

Partitions, screens, fixtures & furnishings supplied by owner.

Elevations
3-bedroom plan (1056 square feet)

KIT 82
4 Unit Ones
3 Enclosed Porches
2 Decks (1 special)
1 3’ solid core door
1 6’ sliding glass door
3 5’x3’ sliding windows
5 3’x3’ sliding windows
3 junction kits
1 set tools
Construction Manual

Partitions, screens, fixtures & furnishings supplied by owner.

Elevations
3-bedroom plan (1171 square feet)

KIT 27
6 Unit Ones
2 Decks
2 6’ sliding glass door
6 5’x3’ sliding windows
1 3’x3’ sliding window
7 junction kits
1 set tools
Construction Manual

Partitions, screens, fixtures & furnishings

supplied by owner.
Elevations
Unit Ones in multi-modular form

“Designed” by the owners, the set-back combinations

of nine Unit Ones and seven decks of this house plan
demonstrate the versatility of the Shelter-Kit modular
system. Maximum use of glass doors and deck space
give a real sense of outdoor living.
REAR VIEW SIDE VIEW
REAR VIEW FRONT VIEW