How to Build a Mini-Cabin

A rustic cabin

A mini-cabin is generally one room with less than 120 square feet of floor space. Whether you use your mini-cabin as a garden retreat, a child's playhouse or a rustic vacation getaway, building one is an enjoyable project for the experienced do-it-yourself builder. Recycled or salvaged materials such as antique doors, window frames and barn lumber can be used in your mini-cabin construction to reduce building costs and add rustic charm.

Things You'll Need

• Nails, 2-inch
• Wood screws
• Hammer
• Hand saw
• Table circular saw
• Gravel
• Foundation stone, concrete blocks or four-way deck blocks
• Level
• 5/8-inch pressure-treated plywood sheets
• 2- by 8-inch pressure-treated lumber
• 2- by 4-inch spruce studs
• Joist hangers
• Plastic sheeting or tar paper
• Roofing materials (shingles, metal roofing or composition shingles)
• Door
• Windows
• Weather-proof caulking

Instructions

1. Assemble the required building materials at the construction site. Prepare and level the building area.

2. Build a foundation from stone, concrete blocks or four-way deck blocks. (Deck blocks, designed for foundation construction, are inexpensive and the easiest foundation material to install.) Place the blocks or stone on eight to 10 layers of compacted gravel to prevent settling.

3. Construct the floor frame from 2-by-8 pressure-treated lumber. (If you are building a cabin 8 feet by 8 feet or less, 2-by-6 lumber may be substituted.) Floor joists are spaced 16 inches apart. Assemble the joists by nailing or screwing them together using joist hangers. Make sure the frame is squared. Once the floor joists are in place, cover with 5/8-inch pressure-treated plywood sheets. Secure the plywood in place by nailing or screwing it to the floor joists. Position nails or screws no farther than 8 inches apart to provide strength to the floor. If you wish to insulate under the floor to keep the cabin warmer, insulation can be added at this time.

4. Build the wall frames from 2-by-4 inch lumber set on 16-inch spacing. Position the cabin windows and door to allow for cross ventilation and to take advantage of sun exposure. Once the wall frames are built, raise them one at a time and position them on the floor frame. Nail the wall frames to the floor joists using 2-inch spiral shank nails driven at a 30-degree angle.

5. Assemble the roof frame from 2-by-8 inch pressure-treated lumber set on 16-inch spacing. Nail the roof joists together using joist hangers and 2-inch spiral shank nails. When the roof frame is in place, attach the roof to the wall frame with 2-inch spiral shank nails. Cover the roof with 5/8-inch pressure treated plywood. Nail or screw the plywood to the roof joists. Position nails or screws no farther than 8 inches apart. Cover the plywood with tar paper or weatherproof plastic sheeting. Nail or staple the covering in place. Complete the roof by installing metal sheeting, composition shingles or wood shingles.

6. Cover the exterior cabin walls with 5/8-inch pressure-treated plywood. Cover the plywood with tar paper, Styrofoam or plastic sheeting, nailed or stapled in place. Finish the exterior walls with shingles or siding. Install insulation between the wall studs for warmth. Cover the interior cabin walls with T-1-11 wall board, plywood or interior paneling.

7. Install the cabin windows, placing weather-proof caulking around the window frames. Install the door hinges and hang the cabin door.

References

• Tiny House Design: Cabin In The Woods
• Architecural House Plans: Hansel & Gretal-Home Plan Detail
• Rustic Cabin Plans