Building a Small Cabin

[melissahimes]

Hi Everyone,
I just signed up for the course in January, and of course my mind has already been spinning with the many possibilities to come. :) I want to build a small cabin as a main residence, 20' x 20' or so, with a full loft. I haven't seen any examples of cabins this size on the website - most people seem to be building homes significantly larger. Is there a reason for this, from a structural point of view or something? I can't really think why it would be an issue, so maybe it is just personal preference. But if it is an issue I'd be curious to know.
Of course I have lots of other questions, but I'll "wait for the class". :D
CheersMelissa

[edkemper]

Melissa,
There is no reason to not build a beautiful home that is "only" 20x20. But you need to know I believe we have a few with smaller homes than what you're thinking of.
After the class and becoming a family member, you'll have access to the Member's Only side. You'll be amazed what you'll have access to.
Glad you're here.

[rckclmbr428]

i built a 10x15' with a half loft, i have also built a couple 35x35

[StressMan79]

with a half loft using a nonstandard shed style roof for passive solar. I was thinking to make an 18x18, but decided to upsize.. if you haven't heard this yet, you will, "build as small as you can afford."
-Peter

[melissahimes]

i built a 10x15' with a half loft, i have also built a couple 35x35

Is the cabin in your picture 10 x 15? It's a very nice looking house!

[melissahimes]

...is a good rule of thumb! I want something that has enough room to host people now and then, but for "just me", I really don't need much space. My current house is 1,000 sq ft, but I really don't use the space. Peter, I'd be curious to see a floor plan of your place if you have one!

[Tyofwa]

plans posted in members area.. lots of idea-sharing awaits you! Looking forward to having another join the clan.
/Ty

[melissahimes]

plans posted in members area.. lots of idea-sharing awaits you! Looking forward to having another join the clan.
/Ty

"Member's area, member's area" that's all I hear...grrrrrr. Just kiddin'. Can't wait 'til after the class!!!!

[ivanshayka]

I believe the reason you see all of the log homes on this website is because these homes are special "award winners", or something out of ordinary. Debie's and Sherry's log home cost them $20K to build, and other homes are huge and have unique stuff in them, that is why they are winners and posted on web site. I believe there are a lot of people who built small homes. (To all memebers: if I am wrong on this, please corect me).
I have plans to build 10X10 log tool shed first, then procede to the house. I am also going to class this January, and I will see you there. Good luck.
Ivan

[melissahimes]

Ivan, I bet you're right. I plan on doing the 10x10 thing too...and turning it into a bunk house or something. Debbie and Sherry's house is pretty awesome huh? The student house pictures are VERY inspiring.

[wyatt]

I know what you mean about VERY inspiring. Many of the student pictures seem too good to be true. (at least to my jaded eyes). I can't wait for the class. See you in LV.

[rocklock]

Note; My answer starts more philosophical, but then wanders around a bit. --- This is an interesting question. I believe there are several factors that may indicate individual answers.1. Span and common lumber dimensions. A 2 by 12 can span about 15 or 16 feet if at 16 inch centers. So my 30 by 30 has a gigantic glulam which makes the longest span less than 15 feet. If i needed a span of 20 feet everything would be different and the cost per will increase unless the lumber dimensions are changed. Maximizing square footage and minimizing cost. 2. Minimizing stairs are you get older. I am building three story log home and at age 66, I don't enjoy the stair master as I once did... If I had a different lot I would build a two story 34 by 38 because of the availability of local materials.3. Common log lengths (most are 40') hence the 38 foot length of a future home...
Many folk build a 10 by 12 starter building. Mine is over 16 feet tall and has a queen sized bed in the top. it is a very comfy place to sleep for 3 seasons. We also have a member that built a 25 by 25 I think in Port Roberts... On the member side there is a list of members blog and photo sites...
Dave The unaimed arrow never misses.... If can, can. If cannot, cannot.
http://s154.photobucket.com/albums/s274/flintlock1/

[loghousenut]

And any student should, in my opinion, build a shed, pumphouse, outhouse, church ( I have done each) or some other little, teeny, easy, and finishable log structure. It is so easy to let your newfound knowledge meet your skill level on a small building that really matters (even though you think it doesn't at the time). Even the unfinished pumphouse that we use everyday, with no chinking and no door, has been a valuable addition to the foundation of knowledge that Skip gave me all those years ago.
I distinctly remember when I was building my Son's two-story treehouse 16 years ago, how much thought went into the log railings, etc. At the time I was building it I was thinking about the house that I would build for his Mother. Who woulda thunk that Patty's house would wait until Jake was much to large for the treehouse and was large enough to do at least half the work on his Mothers house.
You should practice your skills on an outbuilding or two. 10x10 is a lot of useable space and yet it is a size that can really be completed fairly quickly. All this is said by the guy who will be the last one to win this race that we call "our B&P home". If you are in a hurry, you may disregard every word of this post... But you'll regret it.

[melissahimes]

Sage advice loghousenut. Maybe I'll start with a small pump house, move on to a shed, then a bunk house, then the house house! hehe But it's just like learning any other new skill, isn't it. You start simple, and grow in complexity as you gain confidence and ability. Seems like a common sense approach! :)

[ccosborne3]

You've got the right idea. After you finish the class you'll have the opportunity to purchase log home plans designed by the LHBA, they will be available to view in class. The smallest they have is a 14.5 x 14.5 log shed. I t sounds small but it would be easy as heck to whip one up. I just spent six months in a single level 10x15 cottage. It was quite horrid but the room itself would have been plenty adequate if there were levels besides it and an upstairs. I've got an evil little plan going to interconnect several of these structures into one kick-ass easy to build log home.

[lumberj]

Hey guys! Amped about the class in January!!! I'm curious about the plans that will be for sale at the class. Does anyone know of price ranges for these plans? Thanks everyone!

[melissahimes]

Hey ccosborne,
Before I even knew of this forum I had an idea to build and connect with a breezeway a couple of those Katrina homes (I can't remember the architect name). Now, with the concept of building a small cabin first, it's also appealing to think of doing the same thing. Lots o' dreams... :)
Melissa

[ccosborne3]

Very cool idea. I actually stole the idea from another member of this site. He has a suspended breezeway between two log homes (very cool), I'm pretty sure the pictures are available in the student log home photo area. The problem with building small and having a second floor is the space you lose with a stairway. A 14x14 room is plenty big enough for a bedroom, living room, and is practically huge for a bathroom or a kitchen. But if you have stairs in the middle of everything it really screws up the flow.

[melissahimes]

Yes! Stairs are a pain! I have been toying with the idea of building a "tiny home" for years and stairs alway mess with my floor plan. i'm trying to plan a place for now and my slightly elder years, and I don't believe at 70 I want to be climbing a ladder. (Ok that's quite a ways a way, but trying to be practical! hehe). I'm looking forward to seeing the member's forum and seeing what other folks have done. And I need to spend a while giving a bit more thought to what I "need" vs. what I "want". Happy medium somewhere there.... :)

[greenthumb]

Melissa, consider monk stairs as a space saving option:
<a href="http://www.monolithic.com/stories/feature-home-annarbor/photos#5">http://www.monolithic.com/stories/feature-home-annarbor/photos#5</a>

<a href="http://www.monolithic.com/stories/feature-home-annarbor/photos/7">http://www.monolithic.com/stories/feature-home-annarbor/photos/7</a>

Also since you're looking at a smaller house than most, you'll need to come up with space saving techniques all around. www.tinyhouseblog.com has been a pretty good resource for me. A lot of those guys build houses under 200 sq ft, they would consider 20x20 with a full loft(over 700 sqft if you subtract for the stairs) to be a small house, not a tiny one. :D Sorry if you've already posted this, what part of the country do you plan to build in?

[melissahimes]

Hiya Green,
I've been reading Tiny House Blog for quite a while - it is indeed a great resource! And yes you're right, they would definitely consider 20 x 20 a small home, not a tiny one. I do like the monk stair idea. I'm planning on building in interior Alaska. Are you building a small home as well?
Cheers/M

[edkemper]

Just want to remind you that you said you were planning for your future needs. Extremely steep stairs don't fit the bill AT ALL.
When you become a member, you'll find we've discussed how to lower the home to avoid stairs to the front door. Being an old man and a wheelchair rider, elevation is not our friends. You'd be amazed how many BabyBoomers are finding out how expensive it is to make their homes accessible "after the need arises."
Welcome to the site.

[ccosborne3]

Sorry, missed this. For my class there was a one month window after the class where you could buy the plans at drastically reduced prices. I doubt I'll begin building for a few years but never regretted laying out the dough for the plans. They will have the full set of plans available for your perusal at the class. As far as cost goes I think it fluctuates some so I don't want to bandy about prices. If you do decide to buy try and take advantage of the sale.

[melissahimes]

Hey Ed,
Yeah, true that doesn't take into account the aging factor. I have to say I'm not that old at all (I'm only 41), but I want this to be my house for as long as i'm fit to live there. So that's why I do consider the stairs thing. Also because I want my folks to come spend time with me, and they struggle with regular stairs due to bad knees and such. I reckon I can just put in an elevator....they run off solar right? hahaha
I'm starting to think that my "practice" cabin may just be a ground floor bedroom that's tied into the main house through a breezeway. Solves the problem of parents (and later me) struggling to get up stairs, and I won't need to heat it when nobody is using it, etc.
Is it weird that I plan so far in advance???
Cheers/M

[Mark OBrien]

I was thinking along the same lines! Have a larger central cabin where the family can come together for meals and just hanging out, and then building several smaller satellite cabins as sleeping areas and connect to the main by a dog run or some such. It'd be cold in the winter but with a small propane heater in each small unit, you could use shorter logs, no need for heavy duty tackle blocks and no one big roof to contend with. There would be more cost for plumbing each one of these units but much smaller structures would be very efficient to build and for those unable to find large enough ridge poles, the roof would be much less expensive. Crazy or crafty, it's a thought.

[dnwhansen]

Two questions/comments. I would love to see photos/discussions of smaller cabins/single story that have been built. I know in the old days most of these homes were very small and did not have high ceilings. E.g. similar to the photos of the hunting cabin in misc. pictures. But completed. Second, for those with with large families and small budgets, I have not seen any photos of homes where the entire second story is built out to maximize square footage. You sacrifice the cathedral ceiling but add at least two bedrooms, making a 30x30 a full 1800 square feet. Thanks for your thoughts.

[Canucks]

Pics at <a href="http://www.trishlafrance.com">www.trishlafrance.com</a>

Enjoy

Canucks