Most of us would love to have a log cabin in our garden, but is it possible to make that dream come true? Quite a few kits are on the market, but the cheapest and most satisfying way is to build a log cabin yourself. Here is how to do it.
Usually a log cabin has only four sides. Other shapes are more complicated to build, and therefore more costly.
Although easy to build, log cabins must be designed thoroughly from the start and you will need professional plans and advice to help you achieve this. It helps to have the all-important material list done for you as well – this is a tricky job which is easy to get wrong if you choose to do it yourself. Good quality plans are worth their cost many times over, 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 raised area to reduce damp problems and prepare a reasonably flat area that will contain the base of the building.
The floor of your garden log cabin could be the earth itself or, more likely, wooden planks. The latter would be better and more hygenic.
You will find the type and size of logs specified in your blueprints, and these could be a bit rough and ready. You should realize that this is the basis of log cabin charm! 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. Side and end wall logs are mated in this way, notch on notch, to produce the characteristic appearance of traditional log cabins.
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 levelled properly. Set floor joists into the side logs at about two foot intervals. Then add log courses up to the intended height of the door (about 80 inches). Make the door and window openings at this stage – fastening wood battens to the logs to ensure stability – and fasten door and window jambs in place. Then take the log courses up to the final wall height.
Shorter logs will now be laid at each end, still mated to side logs, to produce the roof pitch shown in the blueprints. Finish with a ridge pole. You can use planks or shingles, typically, to make the roof of the log cabin. Your plans will have a number of options and will show you how to fit them. The gaps between the logs should be caulked using a mud and moss mix – be prepared for your children to want to help at this point!
Lastly fit the floor planks, door and windows to your log cabin. You might want to make your door from spare planks and battens, but these often warp badly over time and it is much better to find an old door in a salvage yard or disused barn and design 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, the blueprints should tell you how to make suitable opening windows.
Building a log cabin interior is very much a personal choice. Often people want to have fires or stoves – it is part of the dream. 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 responsible for compliance. Once again, good quality plans will include advice, options and guidance for fitting safe and attractive fireplaces in your log cabin.
Also, it is worth considering making and fitting solar electricity panels and solar hot water heaters to give your cabin a zero environmental impact.
And plan ahead when building a log cabin, so that it is ready in plenty of time to enjoy before next winter comes!
