Log Cabin.... too ambitious a project?

[exigetastic]

I currently have a shed (5m x 17.5m) in my garden. As the sides are currently at a 75 degree angle I don't think it's much longer for this world.

I have looked at the off the peg cabins and none really comes close in terms of size.

I went to look at a bespoke cabin place, but was not really a "log cabin", more shed. Eg. 2"x2" frame with shiplap/ loglap cladding.

I can't seem to find anyone that supplies the 44mm "logs" seperately (only as part of a predesigned cabin)

However recently I ordered a load of 9x2 treated timber, as I got it cheap on ebay, most of it has been ripped down for various projects, but it got me thinking.

Could I use this to build my own cabin :idea:

Rather than t+g them I considered routing a groove in both edges and using full length plywood strips, to joint them.

I figure for the walls I'd need around 100 16 ft lengths to bring me to 7ft at the eaves.

Why contemplate this madness you may ask....

1 Money. The "shed cabin" quote was nearly 10k
2 It gets me out the house
3 I am mad
4 I like making stuff

1 is fairly obvious, the walls are going to cost £1.5k with my scheme, let say the roof timbers the same again (being conservative) leaves £7k for fixings / roof felt / windows.

2-4 are just me trying to justify it

Comments /thoughts welcome.



Si

 

[ByronBlack]

Sounds like a plan Batman!

I can't see any reason why this wouldn't be succesful. I think though in the size you are talking about it's going to be a lot of 'drudge' work preparing the timbers and building up the height. You might also need some kind of frame to add rigidity.

The other option I can think of is to go the 'shed' route you mention but make a 4x2 frame structure and cover with 'loglap' to get the effect, it would be cheaper and easier, but maybe not as authentic.

I've always wanted to build my own log cabin, but finding land in the southeast is a mission impossible.

 

[Pekka Huhta]

You did not mention the size of the new shed, but so thin "logs" won't allow much more than a hut to be built. The walls are just going to fall if they are that thin and you are trying to build anything bigger.

One of the biggest things you have to consider is bolting from top to bottom. Originally they would have used pegs to tie together 2-3 rows of logs, but the modern ones have pre-drilled holes all the way through and threaded rods inserted to screw the whole package tight. No other way if you are trying to use so thin timber.

Pekka

 

[devonwoody]

I bet the council will have something to say, There are planning law restrictions on projects in gardens re size, etc.etc.

 

[exigetastic]

Sounds like a plan Batman!

Thanks for the encouragement 8)

I can't see any reason why this wouldn't be succesful. I think though in the size you are talking about it's going to be a lot of 'drudge' work preparing the timbers and building up the height.

You are right, it would be a lot of work. (Something to do whilst SWMBO watches soaps on the telly box at least)

You might also need some kind of frame to add rigidity.

I did think about using some 4x4's anchored to the concrete as supports at 8' intervals.

The other option I considered was having internal walls interlock with the outer walls. Not as much scope for dividing the internal space as the, interlocks would be visible externally and if not evenly spaced would look a bit naff.

Currently it is divided into 3 areas, 1 x 2m across, used as a store. Another 4m across used as a "gym", the rest is a workshop.

The other option I can think of is to go the 'shed' route you mention but make a 4x2 frame structure and cover with 'loglap' to get the effect, it would be cheaper and easier, but maybe not as authentic.

Definitely an option, effectively that is what's there already albeit with t+g boards instead of log lap.

I've always wanted to build my own log cabin, but finding land in the southeast is a mission impossible.

Well if you want to give me a hand

 

[exigetastic]

I bet the council will have something to say, There are planning law restrictions on projects in gardens re size, etc.etc.

I have spoken to them.

Basically:

I can "replace the existing shed" with similar without planning. (As long as I don't change it's use.)

However I can only "repair" not "rebuild" existing without building control.

Si

 

[exigetastic]

You did not mention the size of the new shed, but so thin "logs" won't allow much more than a hut to be built. The walls are just going to fall if they are that thin and you are trying to build anything bigger.

One of the biggest things you have to consider is bolting from top to bottom. Originally they would have used pegs to tie together 2-3 rows of logs, but the modern ones have pre-drilled holes all the way through and threaded rods inserted to screw the whole package tight. No other way if you are trying to use so thin timber.

Pekka

The new shed would be the same size as the old one, 17.5m x 5m.

The threaded rod idea is a good one, having seen a friends prebuilt one going up I know exactly what you mean.

Ta

Si

 

[Adam]

However I can only "repair" not "rebuild" existing without building control.

Si

Sounds like it will be a "complete" repair then. Maybe leave half in situ and take a photo halfway through as "evidence", you didn't rip one down and then replace it.

Adam

 

[devonwoody]

do the other half another year.

 

[White House Workshop]

Our sauna is built from 'logs' that are 2 x 6 planks with double T&G jointing. The corners overlap, just like a real log cabin would. It is suited for outdoor use provided the bare wood is finished with some sort of protective stain (not paint!). It does have rods along two opposing walls - the door wall and the opposite one - and these really hold it tight. It's a solid as a rock - but far too nice to use as a workshop, especially when you're naked! The dust would wreck the stove, too.

Incidentally, it's 8' x 8' x 7' and cost me £1200, plus the stove.

 

[OLD]

A picture of the existing would be good it may provide some of the frame that you can repair and reclad with your timber stock.

 

[mailee]

those cabins were what I considered before I built my workshop. It would have cost me in the region of 5K for one of the size I needed 24'x13' and I decided to build my own. I used the traditional method of 4x2 framework and clad it in shiplap. My design was based roughly on the log cabin design with a veranda and the whole lot including the insulation cost me just under 2K. A very similar effect could be acheived by using log lap instead of shiplap. (See my avatar) :wink:

 

[exigetastic]

A picture of the existing would be good it may provide some of the frame that you can repair and reclad with your timber stock.

Reclad is out of the question I feel.... but hey here are some pics


Side view:

End view:

Wall lean:

It's obviously been leaning for a while, as part of it was lined years ago (I guess > 10yrs) And as you can see it must have been leaning then too

My phone camera struggled with the internal shots, but you might get some idea of the fabrication methods...

Pretty much the whole thing is riddled with woodworm, the vertical posts look like they were added to prevent further movement and are now rotting at the bottoms.

The roof is asbestos cement, so it needs to be disposed of properly (I have sorted someone to do it, but before I give him the go ahead I want to know what to put in the place of the shed.)

On the plus side the concrete floor is generally sound, and ... erm not much else i can say

Si

 

[OLD]

You have 9x2 which could be cut to 4+x2 this could provide your stud walls the existing roof trusses could be treated and reused and there may be other timbers that could be recycled. Then you need cladding insulation and a roof but you have repaired a existing structure even if its a little taller.
If you do reuse some of the timbers get a specialist to come and treat them on site for you.
There is lots of info on construction on the net.

 

[devonwoody]

How many trees would you need to make a log cabin? :?:

 

[exigetastic]

How many trees would you need to make a log cabin? :?:

As ever it depends how big it is

 

[exigetastic]

You have 9x2 which could be cut to 4+x2 this could provide your stud walls the existing roof trusses could be treated and reused and there may be other timbers that could be recycled. Then you need cladding insulation and a roof but you have repaired a existing structure even if its a little taller.
If you do reuse some of the timbers get a specialist to come and treat them on site for you.
There is lots of info on construction on the net.

I see where you are coming from, but at 8ft centres (+) the cost of getting the trusses replaced would be a small part of the overall budget.

I did half think of using acro's to lift the trusses. Then inserting some supporting timber 4x2s (or bigger). Getting the asbestos guy in to remove the roof panels.

This would then give me vertical walls to clad. The roof trusses could then be "repaired completely"

Si

 

[OLD]

My suggestions would require careful demolition first .There is a lot of wood in that structure seems a pity to burn it if its still useable.

 

[devonwoody]

Two or three years ago we had all the telegraph poles in our road removed and new ones inserted to meet EU height regulations.

The one outside our home I negotiated a price of £5 and then backed out because I couldn't lift it :roll:
So I learnt that the contractors (Fuji) disposed of these poles to farmers and the like.

Incidently when they took the old pole out it cost them over £5000 the pole broke free on lifting out and knocked into our building.........gardenwall.

 

[JanneKi]

Be careful about using treated wood, especially in cabin-type things, where people spend time inside those things. Treated wood is toxic, you don't want to spend long times with that stuff. All interior wood should be non-treated, natural wood - and if you want to treat it, treat it with solutions meant for indoors usage.

44 mm light weight timber can be acquired, for example from all Scandinavic countries.

- J