How to Build a Small Cabin House

A mountain cabin provides a natural retreat from the city.

A simple, easy-to-build one-room cabin can be utilized as a natural retreat, hunting shack, mini-vacation home, workshop, art studio or guest cottage. Inexpensive, easy to heat, cool and simple in design, a cabin provides shelter, warmth and the satisfaction of building it yourself. Consider using salvaged materials to save money and add a unique aged character to your structure.

Things You'll Need

• Four-way deck blocks
• 2x6-inch pressure-treated lumber
• 2x4-inch pressure-treated lumber
• Circular table saw
• Hand saw
• Hammer
• 2-inch spiral shank nails
• 2-inch wood screws
• 5/8-inch pressure-treated plywood
• Windows
• Door
• Joist hangers
• Tar paper or plastic sheeting
• Roofing material (shakes, composition or metal roofing)
• Siding
• Insulation

Instructions

1. Clear and level the cabin building site, removing trees, rocks and obstacles. Position the cabin to take advantage of sunlight and in a location with good drainage that is not subject to flooding or avalanche. Secure a building permit if required in your locale.

2. Draw a sketch of your cabin to determine size measurements. Plan location of door and windows. (Avoid placing windows on the north side of the cabin in cold climates.)

3. Build a foundation of stone, concrete blocks or four-way deck blocks. Construct the floor frame with 2x6 pressure-treated lumber set on 16-inch spacing. Nail the floor joists together using joist hangers and 2-inch spiral shank nails. Position the floor frame squarely on the foundation. Cover the floor frame with 5.8-inch pressure-treated plywood. Attach the plywood to the frame with 2-inch wood screws, set no farther than 8 inches apart.

4. Build the cabin wall frames from 2x4-inch pressure-treated spruce lumber on 16-inch spacing. Frame the window and door openings. Upon completion of the wall frames, raise them one at a time. It is helpful to have an assistant when moving the frames into place. They are heavy and cumbersome. When the wall frame is squarely in place on the floor frame, attach with 2-inch spiral shank nails driven at a 30-degree angle for additional strength.

5. Build the roof frame from 2x6 pressure-treated lumber. Use 16-inch spacing. Join the roof joist to the wall frame with joist hangers and 2-inch spiral shank nails. Cover the roof with 5/8-inch pressure-treated plywood. Attach the plywood to the roof frame with 2-inch wood screws. Place the wood screws no farther than 8 inches apart. Cover the plywood with tar paper or plastic sheeting using roofing nails or staples. Cover the sheeting with metal, composition or wood shingles.

6. Cover the exterior walls with 5/8-inch pressure-treated plywood. Cover the exterior of the plywood with siding or wood shingles. Attach with 2-inch wood screws. Insulate the walls with a high R value insulation batting following manufacturer's installation instructions. Cover the interior walls with wall board, wood paneling or plywood. Attach with 2-inch wood screws.

7. Install the windows and hang the door. Install weatherproof stripping around the door frame. Caulk the window frames with waterproof caulking. Enjoy your new cabin.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear eye and ear protection when working with power tools.

References

• Small Cabin: A complete 'do-it-yourself' guide on how to plan, build and enjoy your small cabin -- in simple terms
• Starter Cabins You Can Build: InInexpensive starter Homes, Cabins and Cottages
• First Day Cottage: Build Yourself A Solid Future