How to Build Your Own Frontier Cabin

Building a cabin is hard work, but the results are worth it.

Though the frontier may be gone, the frontier cabin lives on. A solid, well-built log cabin can last for decades. Building it in a traditional way takes a lot of work, however, so be prepared before you start. Your timber should be dried before you start. Select softwood conifers for you cabin such as pine or fir. You should have experience working with an ax or chainsaw, lots of time, and good friends to help you. Build slowly and conscientiously and you will have a beautiful home.

Things You'll Need

• Ax
• Chainsaw
• Straight logs 8 to 10 inches in diameter
• Floorboards
• Wood preservative
• Stone or concrete
• Excavator or shovels
• Cinder blocks
• Drill
• Milled lumber
• Nails
• Shingles
• Plaster or cement

Instructions

Foundation

1. Dig a hole for your foundation with shovels or excavator. The hole should cover the area of your cabin and extend below the frost line.

2. Construct a stone or concrete wall on footings around the hole you dug. The wall should rise about 20 inches above the ground.

3. Install cinder block piers in the middle of the foundation to support the floor girder.

4. Place anchor bolts at intervals around the top of the wall to attach the sill.

Preparing the Logs

1. Remove the bark from your logs with an ax.

2. Treat the logs with a wood preservative to prevent rotting.

3. Notch the logs with a rounded notches at the places where they will fit together. Remember that the logs should extend several feet beyond the notch. The notches should be equally spaced apart on each log of a given wall of the cabin.

Floor

1. Flatten the bottom of each sill log with your ax or chainsaw. The straightest logs should be saved for this purpose because they will lay on top of the foundation.

2. Drill holes in the sill logs at the positions of the anchor bolts in the foundation and attach them to the foundation.

3. Hew flat the top of the girder log and place it over the support piers, attaching it to the sill with mortise and tenon joints.

4. Hew flat and install floor joists between the girder and the sills, perpendicular to the girder, again using the mortise and tenon joint.

5. Install floorboards perpendicular to the joists. Do not cover the sill with floorboards.

Walls, Windows, and Doors

1. Place your notched logs on the foundation, fitting the notches together. Alternate the smaller, tapered end of the logs so they do not all point in the same direction

2. Lay the logs as though your cabin has no windows or doors. When you reach the top height of your planned windows and doors, saw out all the openings at once.

3. Brace your openings on both sides with boards until they are finished.

4. Cut a groove with your chainsaw down the ends of the logs in the doors and windows. Cut and insert a spline into the grooves.

5. Place at least two more logs over your finished openings.

Roof

1. Build up the gable ends of your cabin with rafters for the roof running between the gable logs.

2. Install the roof boards perpendicular to the rafters, using milled lumber.

3. Cover your roof with shingles, starting at the bottom of the roof and working up so that rain runs off.

4. Fill up any holes between the logs of your cabin with plaster or cement.

Tips & Warnings

• You will still need to make and install windows, doors, and possibly a fireplace for your cabin.

• Do not use a chainsaw or ax without prior experience or instruction as you can very easily hurt yourself.

References

• The Outlands: Build Your Own Log Cabin
• "Shelters, Shacks and Shanties and How to Build Them"; D.C. Beard; 1999

Resources

• Alaska Antler Works: Building a Log Cabin in Alaska