-
I Want A Garden Log Cabin!
Filed under Home ImprovementSep 24We all dream from time to time about having a log cabin in our backyard, but is it difficult to turn that dream into a reality? There are many kits on the market for garden log cabins, but you will get the most satisfaction from building it yourself. Here is how to do it.
The traditional log cabin design is rectangular or square, with only four corners. Other shapes are more complicated to build, and therefore more costly.
Although easy to build, log cabins must be designed thoroughly from the start and you will need professional plans and advice to help you achieve this. Also think about getting the essential materials list done by these experts – this is a tricky job which is easy to get wrong if you choose to do it yourself. Top quality plans are a vital investment, and will take care of all the calculations – such as foundations – for you.Log cabin homes should be at least 20 x 30 ft for proper enjoyment. Look for a raised site to avoid damp and make a reasonably flat area to accommodate the structure.
The floor of your garden log cabin could be the earth itself or, more likely, wooden planks. The latter method would probably be more comfortable in use and more hygenic.
Your plans will specify the size of logs to be used, and these will be quite rough and not necessarily very straight. Don’t worry – this is the basis for all charming garden log cabins! The method for joining logs at each corner is called the lock-joint. This is a notch cut about one foot in from each end of the log. The notch is cut nearly halfway through the log, joining with a similar notch in the mating log to produce that famous log cabin appearance.
If you have built a proper foundation, such as a concrete base, fix the first course of logs to it using anchor bolts and make sure these logs are levelled properly. Set floor joists into the side logs at about two foot intervals. Continue to build courses of logs in this way until you reach the planned height of the door (about 6ft 8in). At this stage cut out openings for the door and windows – tacking wooden battens to the logs to keep them steady in the process – and fit the jambs for each opening. Then continue building the logs until you reach the planned height of the walls.
Shorter logs will now be laid at each end, still mated to side logs, to produce the roof pitch specified in the plans. Finish with a ridge pole. You can use planks or shingles, typically, to make the roof of the log cabin. Your plans will have a number of options and how to build them. The gaps between the logs should be caulked using a mud and moss mix – the kids will love to help at this point!
Lastly fit the floor planks, door and windows to your log cabin. You might want to make your door from spare planks and battens, but these often distort badly over time and it is much better to find an old door in a salvage yard or disused barn and customize your log cabin to fit it. Many garden log cabins are simply fitted with shutters so you might consider leaving the window openings unglazed but, if not, the blueprints should indicate the proper style and type of windows to fit.
Many log cabins have fireplaces or wood-burning stoves, because a fire is part of the log cabin dream for many people. Be very careful about including such things, however, because there is a real risk of fire or heat damage to the surroundings. Many states have local regulations governing the design and installation of fires in wooden buildings, and you are responsible for compliance. Good plans should include proper advice and guidance on this subject.
Also, it is worth considering making and fitting solar electricity panels and solar hot water heaters to give your cabin a zero environmental impact.
Remember to plan ahead, so that you finish your garden log cabin well before winter arrives!
Mail this post