How to Build An Awesome Yet Amazingly Cheap DIY Log Cabin

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Billionaire Bill Gates, director Steven Spielberg, couch-jumping Tom Cruise, fashion icon Ralph Lauren, and the late boxing legend Muhammad Ali have one thing in common. They all own or once owned magnificent log cabins in the woods. These celebrities are fortunate enough to have the resources to have these fancy log houses built. For us mere mortals, we can only wish. Fortunately, though, you can build your own affordable homes in the woods. They may not be as spectacular as the ones owned by the said celebrities but your DIY log cabin will certainly be your pride and joy.

 

What You Need for Your DIY Log Cabin

Land

You can’t build a log cabin without a place to build on. If you have a plot of land somewhere in the woods, you’re good to go. Otherwise, you will need to make the necessary purchases and paper works. Since the goal is to save money, you need to find an area that will cost you less. This is quite an undertaking since prices have been rising since the 2007 financial crisis.

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The key is that you should know where to look. You must consider the location first. Avoid states with higher prices such as Oregon. Look for properties in places like Tennessee, Arkansas, West Virginia, Kansas and Nevada. Another place to look for lands for sale is online. Surprisingly, there are a number of lands being sold on eBay.

 

Plan

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Decide on a blueprint for your DIY log cabin. You can make your own blueprint if you have the know-how. Otherwise, you can get the services of a professional. Then again, you’re looking at not spending too much. Fortunately, you can find blue prints and kits online. Choose one with a small footprint so your log cabin is cheaper and easier to build.

 

Materials

Your main material will be wood, obviously. You need to consider the weather in choosing what log species you’ll be using. Temperature changes affect wood. When it gets too hot, the wood will to shrink while cold weather causes it to expand.

Ideally, you should build your DIY log cabin in a wooded area. That way, you have access to all the wood you will need. All you need now are the right tools and the determination to finish your log cabin.

 

How to Build Your DIY Log Cabin

Establish Your Foundation

Fiskars x27 Super Splitting Axe

The foundation is the most important step of your DIY log cabin project. Once you’ve chosen a spot, clear the area of trees, rotten stumps and unwanted debris. For this task, you’ll need an axe or a saw for cutting down the trees. You’ll also need a shovel and pick axe for clearing debris and digging your foundation. Make sure your foundation is below the frost line. This should make your cabin strong enough to survive an earthquake or other natural disasters.

Greenworks 12-Inch 40V Cordless Chainsaw

Once you’re done with the digging, compact the soil. You can use a handheld soil compactor if you have one though it’ll be a bit of hassle to carry one to the woods. What you can do is to simply pound the loose soil with your feet. Dropping huge rocks on the soil will also work.

Worx Aerocart Multifunction 2-Wheeled Yard Cart, Dolly, and Wheelbarrow

Speaking of, you need to gather rocks for your foundation. This will be easier with a wheel barrow. If you don’t have one, you can make a rock cart or log dolly using old wheels and other scrap materials. Place the rocks on the foundation. You can also pour concrete. One option is to place the logs directly on the foundation. This will keep you from spending on cement but there’s a risk of the wood rotting quicker because of the moisture in the soil.

Fiskars Garden IsoCore 5 lb Pick

 

Sill the Logs

At this point, you should have your logs all prepped up. Look for fallen logs first before cutting down live ones. A draw knife will come in handy in removing the bark of the fallen trees. If you don’t have enough logs, you can purchase some from logging companies, sawmills, or timber suppliers.

Fiskars Log Tongs

Use a log hook or tong to move the logs around. Place the logs directly on top of the foundation. Use anchor bolts to connect them together.

 

Installing the Floor

This step is perhaps one of the easiest parts of building your DIY log cabin. You just have to arrange floor joists right after placing the sleeper logs. Make sure each floor joist is separated by 14 inches of space. Care out notches on the sill logs to receive the floor joists. Finally, install wooden planks to complete your floor.

 

Raising the Wall

Truper 30255 Steel Handle Bow Saw

When you build your walls, make sure you consider your door and windows. Make notches on the ends of the logs so they lock securely. You can use a saw, hatchet, chisel and mallet or a combination of such tools to carve the notches.

Stanley 16-150 150 Series Short Blade 3-Piece Wood Chisel Set

Arrange the logs alternately. Place two parallel logs on top of the other two parallel ones making a criss-cross pattern. This method along with the notches will help strengthen your DIY log cabin.

TEKTON 30503 Wood Handle Rubber Mallet

You can opt to place beams on each corner as the walls get higher. This will make your DIY log cabin even sturdier.

 

Door and Windows

Cut out the openings for your door and windows once the walls are as high as the top of your planned openings. Make sure you brace the logs beforehand. You can use a chainsaw or hand saw for this.

Once the top layer of log or the plate log of the openings are in place. Cut out a groove or notch along its sides. You will then insert a spline to strengthen the window and door openings.

You will install the actual door and windows after finishing the next step. For the door, you can use wooden slabs while you can use glass on your windows.

 

Installing the Roof

There are different kinds of roof frames. Perhaps the most popular method is the pitched roof. The flat roof, meanwhile, is the cheaper option. Contrary to what some of you may believe, a flat roof is not entirely flat. It has a slight incline so water will not pool.

In both methods, you need to build the roof frame first. Afterwards, you can install the actual roof materials. Make sure there’s no potential for leaks.

 

Finishing Touches

You’re basically done with your DIY log cabin. Your next step is to clean the logs since it likely got dirty from during the whole ordeal. Wash the logs with water, mild detergent and a brush with soft bristles. Afterwards, let the cabin dry for a couple of days.

Next, treat the logs. You can actually do this process right after felling. Simply apply a borate solution after removing the bark. If you prefer to build your log cabin first, you just have to apply the protection after cleaning it. Afterwards, apply your stain. This will protect your logs from the sun’s UV rays.

Sashco Log Jam Acrylic Latex Chinking Caulk

Finally, chink your log cabin. Apply sealant to prevent air and moisture from penetrating the wood. Apply the chinking on every crack that’s more than 2 cm wide. You also have to cover the joints with chinking. Use a trowel to do this effectively.

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Building your own DIY log cabin is no easy task but the rewards are overwhelming. For one, you now have an off-grid home you can live in. it can also be your vacation house when you want to live the city life. In case of disasters, alien invasions or zombie apocalypse, you can also use your DIY log cabin as your bug out shelter. Learn more about off-grid living by visiting The Gentleman Pirate website.

SDSCAD Specialized design Systems is offering log cabin plans you can also take a look at for your DIY project. You also get access to numerous house plans, as well as plans for garages and other structures.

Just a disclaimer – We have partnered with these companies because we use their products and/or proudly trust and endorse them – so we do receive a commission if you make a purchase or sign up for services.
Often, we are able to negotiate special discounts and/or bonuses, which we will pass on to you via our links. We often get short notice on sale items available for 24-48 hours as we will pass these savings onto you.

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Gentleman Pirate Club aims to share valuable knowledge and tips on how you can prepare and survive emergencies and other dire situations. We think of different scenarios and show you the many ways you can survive them. We also believe in self-sufficiency as a way to prepare for whatever lies ahead. As our ship sails in these waters, we look for valuable treasures. When we spot one, we tell you where it is.

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