How to Build a Simple Cabin

Cozy Cabin

A basic, simple cabin can be a welcome retreat from a busy life. Whether you plan to use your cabin for fishing trips, ski vacations, wildlife viewing or a hunting base camp, your cabin can be designed to provide shelter, warmth and comfort. Building a simple cabin that will last for decades can be accomplished by the experienced do-it-yourself weekend carpenter.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Table circular saw
• Concrete blocks or stones
• Handsaw
• Hammer
• Nails
• Carpenter's staple gun
• Level
• Lumber
• Roofing material
• Portable generator if electric connection is not available

Instructions

1. 

   Old Cabin

   Determine the location where you will build your cabin. Situate the cabin to take advantage of natural sun exposure or desirable shade. Choose a fairly high, well drained site to avoid possible flooding or land drainage problems. If required, build a road or driveway to the location. Clear the site of trees, if necessary, and remove any rocks or obstacles to construction. Level the building site.

2. 

   Constuction Plans

   Obtain any necessary building permits.

3. 

   Cabin In Winter

   Choose a simple cabin plan or design the cabin yourself. Be sure to position windows and door in a manner that will allow for cross ventilation and air circulation. Basic plans are available online or from a building supply store. Determine the amount of lumber and other building materials required. Acquire the materials and deliver them to the building site. Salvaged or recycled materials can greatly reduce the cost of building your cabin. Construction sites, building demolition sites or recycle centers are great sources for used windows, doors and roofing materials.

4. 

   Gravel

   Construct the cabin foundation. A strong and sturdy foundation of stone or cement blocks keeps your cabin from being built directly on the ground, which can rot the wood. Excavate an area the size of the cabin well below the frost line. If you are unfamiliar with the climate extremes on your new building site, consult your local country extension office for information. Do not place the foundation directly on the soil. Set blocks (prefabricated concrete "4-way" deck blocks work well) or stone on a layer of compacted gravel to prevent settling.

5. 

   Flooring

   Construct the floor frame from pressure treated 2-inch by 8-foot joists. The outside measurements of your cabin need to be exact. (Measure twice, cut once) Build the floor frame with joist hangers. Once the floor frame is built, cover with 5/8-inch pressure treated 4 foot by 8 foot sheets of plywood to create the sub-floor.

6. 

   Old cabin window

   Build the wall frames for your cabin with 2-inch by 4-inch spruce studs on 16-inch spacing. Once you have constructed the wall frames, raise and position them one by one. It is a good idea to have a helper for raising the walls. It is a cumbersome job.

7. 

   Metal Cabin Roof

   Build a roof frame by nailing roof joists to the wall studs. When the roof frame is in place, cover with weatherproof plastic sheeted insulation or tar paper. Staple the covering to the roof studs and tape the ends in place. Cover the roof with metal roofing materials or shingles and enjoy your new cabin.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use basic safety gear including hard hat, gloves and ear and eye protection when working with power tools.

References

• Small-cabin.com: A complete 'do-it-yourself' guide on how to plan, build and enjoy your small cabin -- in simple terms
• Jshow.com: Starter Cabins You Can Build
• Coyotecottage.com: Building the cabin, shorthand version.
• Countryplans.com: Spring Update