Many of us dream about relaxing in our own garden log cabin, but is it difficult to turn that dream into a reality? Quite a few kits are on the market, but you will get the most satisfaction from building a log cabin yourself. Here is how to do it.
Usually a log cabin has only four sides. More complicated shapes are inevitably more costly.
Even though they are simple to build, log cabins must be designed properly from the foundations up and you will need professional plans and advice to help you achieve this. Consider getting the vital materials list prepared for you – you will save both time and money in the long run. Top quality plans are a vital investment, and will take care of all the calculations – such as foundations – for you.
A good size for a log cabin home would be about 20 ft by 30 ft. When choosing the site, try to find a slightly elevated area to reduce damp problems and make a reasonably level area a bit larger than the proposed building.
Old garden log cabins would probably have had an earthen floor, but some had wood planks. The latter would be preferable and more hygenic.
You will find the type and size of logs specified in your blueprints, and these might be quite rough and ready. 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 goes about halfway into the log diameter, and is mated with a similarly-notched log at right-angles to give the walls the characteristic log cabin look.
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 properly levelled. 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). Make the door and window openings at this stage – tacking wooden battens to the logs to keep them steady in the process – and fasten door and window jambs in place. Then take the log courses up to the final wall height.
Now start laying shorter logs on the end walls, the length found from the plans to give the required roof pitch and mated as before to the side logs. Finish with a ridge pole. The roofs of garden log cabins can be planked (shiplap being the most common) or laid with shingles. The plans will have a number of options and how to build them. A mixture of moss and mud is the traditional method for filling the gaps between logs – you might find your kids eager to help at this stage!
Finish your log cabin by fitting the floor planks, door and windows. You could make your own door from old planks and battens, but these often distort badly in time and it is much more advisable to look for an old door in a salvage yard or antique shop and build your log cabin around it. Many garden log cabins are simply fitted with shutters so you might consider leaving the window openings unglazed but, if not, your plans should show you how to make or buy suitable windows.
When building a log cabin interior, the design depends very much on your personal taste. Part of the dream is to have a fire or stove to sit in front of during those stormy winters!. You should be careful about installing one, however, because there is a real risk of fire or heat damage to the surroundings. There are often local regulations about fitting fires in wooden buildings, and you are the one responsible for complying with these. Good plans should include proper advice and guidance on this subject.
Finally, you might think about fitting a solar panel for making free electricity and a solar heater for your hot water, particularly if your log cabin is off the beaten track.
And remember to plan well ahead when building a log cabin, so that it is ready in time for winter!