DIY: 5 Steps to the Log Cabin of your Dreams
Below is some great advice that will take you through the most important steps to make finding your log cabin easier.
03/05/2022
We offer you some great advice and take you through the most important steps to make finding your log cabin easier. You may not consider it perfect for your taste. Still, these insightful recommendations will surely make you acquire the foresight for the cabin of your dreams.
Are you dreaming of a place where you can get away from the fast pace of the city? Big-city life can be tiring at times, and it’s always nice to spend time enjoying nature and fresh air. It would be fun to own Unit2Go Transportable homes or DIY cabins. They’re easier to transfer or install anywhere that takes your fancy, especially living off the grid to escape the bustling city. These tiny homes and cottages are easier to buy and install at affordable prices.
With that said, with Summer House 24 you can have the log cabin you’ve always dreamed of. Taking on a huge project like construction is a lot of work, it takes plenty of time and patience, but we will offer you some great advice and take you through the most important steps to make your project much easier.
Building The Foundation
We’ll start from the very base. Most likely you’ve already bought a couple of acres of land. To build the foundation, you must decide where the cabin will be built and approximately how much area it will take up.
Check if the soil is suitable for construction. Soil testing and site classification allow you to understand your soil before you start working on the foundation. The soil must be compact enough to hold the footings, which need to extend at least 12 inches underground depending on your building’s measurement in height. The strength of the structure is determined by how long-lasting you’ve built its foundation.
A good foundation not only serves as the base of a house, but also keeps out moisture and insulates against the cold. If done properly, it will last for many years. It’s typically made of concrete with special reinforcement. The foundation materials are meant to withstand damage like cracks that may endanger the building residents and jeopardize the builder’s license.
To make the cabin’s foundation, first clean up the area where the foundation will be. Remove any large plants and weeds, pull out roots, especially tree roots if there are any, as they might damage the concrete. Try to make the layout of the future structure as accurate as possible, this will help you avoid any difficulties with aligning the corners when building the walls of the house. For this, you can use pegs, rope, and most importantly, use a builder's level to see if the ground slopes. If it does slope, then the site should be flattened. Make sure you are using a high-grade durable concrete and mixing it with proper proportions
Floor Insulation
Insulating your floors will protect your cabin from the cold so that you can enjoy your cabin even in the wintertime. And since it’s more energy efficient, this means a good insulation will reduce your bills and save you money. A great way to go is using rigid foam insulation. This type of insulation is sold in pre-formed sheets, which can be bought at your local hardware store. Rigid foam is made from either polyisocyanurate (PIR) or polyurethane (PUR) and typically has an aluminum foil on both sides of the sheet. Keep in mind that these sheets are flammable, so for safety precautions they should be covered with a layer of gypsum. These are what construction people call fire-rated gypsum board, a fire-resistant material that they place after the rigid foam.
Walls
Wall thickness is a crucial part of a log cabin. The thicker the walls, the stronger your log cabin will be. It can also influence insulation – thick walls can better withstand any weather conditions. When assembling the logs for the cabin walls, no glue or screws are required. Each log has a cut-out on both ends for fitting the next log that goes on top. This type of joint is called a saddle notch and is used to assemble most log cabins. Use a rubber mallet to make sure the log fits perfectly.
Roof
The most common type of roof for log cabins is the gable roof. Unlike hip roofs, gable roofs gives the cabin more vertical space, for instance, building an attic or even some extra rooms.
Another important factor is the material of the roof. The material may vary from wood to metal. Asphalt shingles are considered to be the most durable roofing material. Also, they don’t typically require as much maintenance as other materials like wood. They are also the easiest to install.
Facade
You have a couple of options when it comes to the type of facade: wood, vinyl, stucco and masonry. While wood is a very traditional material, masonry is the most durable exterior option. Masonry walls are a non-structural external layer made of brick or stone. The only downside is that masonry can be quite expensive, but you should consider investing since it requires little maintenance and can give any log cabin a chic and sophisticated finish. Wood has great ecological qualities and beautiful natural features, so if you want your cabin to look extra cozy and close to nature, a wooden facade is also a great option.
Finally
Building the log cabin of your dreams today is no longer as burdensome. You don’t need much effort to look for the materials you like. Every type of roofing, flooring, and other construction supply requirement is available in most home depots near you. You can also browse online for your DIY cabin sources and their materials.