Have you ever thought of creating a cabin with your own hands and living in a quiet peaceful place way far from the city noise where you can improve your focus and can meditate easily? If not, then it’s time to think that way.
People always dream of living in a place like that and even create a plan and save Pinterest aesthetic posts too but never execute that plan because they think it is too complex to build a log cabin all by themselves. Well, it is nothing but a misconception which will be cleared as you deep dive into the post.
I’ve shared nothing but the easiest and simplest way to build a log cabin all by yourself while keeping everything within budget.
Excited enough? Let’s jump into the post then!
How Can You Build A Log Cabin By Yourself? [10 Steps]
Researches show that Log Cabins are not merely a side fun habit or dream of Americans but is an important part of American history and is considered as a proper traditional thing.
Before starting out, a clear plan is what you need. You can’t just take some logs and build a cabin all by yourself unless you know all the steps in detail. It’s not just about knowing steps but also building a cabin demands Professional assistance too.
Whether it’s about installing a shed and whatnot, some kind of Expert help will be needed for sure.
Anyway, let’s dive deep into the post to know what it takes to build a cabin all by yourself:
Step 1: Cut, Select, and Transport Logs
First step is no doubt planning and creating a 3D project, but preparing Logs is also a part of the 1st step. How so? Because there’s nothing more daunting than assembling material to initiate the building process.
I would suggest collecting large and straight logs. Take, eucalyptus for example. We all know how durable and easy to peel its logs are, best for cabin building.
But you need to be careful about the sun exposure as if your cabin gets direct sunlight, eucalyptus logs might dry soon and start cracking, which you don’t want, right?
So, you better avoid using Eucalyptus logs for shed making, SunViewBuilders will take that tension off your shoulders and will install their best-constructed shed on your cabin.
What else do we want? Nothing, right?
Step 2: Cutting & Soaking the Boards for the Door
For the doors, consider wood that is durable at least. Chestnut wood, for example, is considered very durable in the case of door-making. The process of cutting the wood is simple. All you need is a chainsaw and the measurements should be around 4 cm thick. Cut boards according to your need but 12 are enough for door making in general.
To avoid later cracking, consider soaking those boards in water for at least two weeks, and the important tip is to avoid drying them in direct sunlight. Find a shady region and put the boards there.
As the boards are not planed yet and don’t have a smooth surface, consider planing them with a planer. Now, lastly, if you’ve some concerns about chestnut wood, I would say don’t overthink. As Chestnut wood has natural strength in it to bear weights and strong weather conditions, it will not disappoint you in the later hand.
Step 3: Cabin’s Foundation and Spot
Foundation is crucial when it comes to building a cabin all by yourself. Foundation and base are not just essential for the self-builders but for everyone.
Now, the critical or what we say the complex aspect of selecting a perfect spot for your cabin is that you need to check the local guidelines. You can’t just see an empty space and build your cabin there, following the local rules and regulations is essential and mandatory. Well, a 2.5-meter heightened cabin will not cause you any legal trouble, still checking the local guidelines is preferred.
As for the base, you need to dig at least 30 cm deep and fill it with small and big stones and concrete. Around 30 cm little stone wall will be fine for your cabin. Now, the reason for this small wall and filling stone and concrete is that it will protect your cabin from soil moisture resulting in a rot-free long-lasting cabin.
Step 4: Trunks Positioning and Adjustments [Hardest Step]
Vertical log positioning is hard and complex, indeed. So, I would suggest going for the traditional American cabin horizontal-styled log positioning. Now, trunk positioning is all about precise adjustments.
If you fail to adjust them properly, your log cabin will end up shaking and will not last even a month or so, especially in the case of harsh weather conditions.
So, to keep it strong and sturdy, place the logs in a horizontal position in a way that the ends extend the actual wall length.
Step 5: Sharp the Gables and Give Strength to the Roof
Most people take shaping the gable ends for granted, while for me, it’s one of the most crucial steps in roof building. Why? Because if the water stays for more than 1 night on the roof, it will cause you trouble, so shaping gable ends sharply will ensure a smooth water runoff.
The stability of gables is important and can’t be done without proper anchored beam support. As we are using durable Eucalyptus beams, a sturdy base is already set for the shed roof.
Now, the thing is that the process seems so easy and simple in theory but in practical terms, you’ll find yourself in big trouble even if a simple detail or step is ignored. So, to avoid that situation, seek professional help from SunViewBuilders, who are not just ready to take your Shed building burden but will make sure nothing goes out of the budget.
Isn’t that amazing, no?
Step 6: Protect Your Roof From Moisture
No matter if you want a green roof for the shed or going with the PVC lining and waterproof plastic layer, you need to make sure your chosen land and area go well with that roof or not.
Some people don’t find green roofs sustainable or a practical solution and prefer PVC lining and a waterproof plastic layer better for the roof, but it totally depends on your preference because both of them are not just eco-friendly but also will protect your roof from moisture.
Now, if you want to give a traditional look to your shed’s roof, then you can go for the red clay tiles or maybe the cement tiles. To be honest, cement tiles are more durable and sustainable than the red clay ones, but again, the choice is all yours.
If you think you can’t choose between one, you better get aid from the SunViewBuilders, who will take all the trouble of shed installment in their hand and will not make you worry about it anymore.
Step 7: Make Your Cabin Durable By Sealing the Cracks
Cracks are real. Even if you build your cabin properly and adjust the logs ideally, still you’ll find some cracks in between which are undoubtedly ugly but more important is that it will shorten the usual life of your cabin.
Traditional way of filling those cracks is via clay but a cement and sand mixture is more preferable as it will make your cabin more long-lasting. Now, the reason why cement and sand mixture is preferable is because it makes your cabin strong and weather-resistant.
If the whole process seems daunting and problematic to you, there’s no need to fret. SunViewBuilders has got your back, as they know how to make your cabin long-lasting with a strong and durable shed installation.
Step 8: Stability With Aesthetics
To make your roof more strong and stable, you need to do some finishing tasks including stone placement and some floor arrangements. As for the floor arrangements, all you need to do is to cement the floor properly leaving no space behind.
But for the stone placement, you’ll have to struggle to find the shale stones nearby.
Texas is rich in hills so you’ll easily find shale stones. But again, you’ll have to struggle as most of the mountains are in the central Texas region, the Texas Hill Country I mean.
Shale stones are completely optional, you can use the local stones too and you’ll be amazed by the aesthetics and strength they bring to your roof.
Step 9: Door and Window Installation
As mentioned earlier, Chestnut wood is preferable for making doors. Chestnut wood can easily be cut and smoothed with an electric saw and a small planer, but if you want to use any advanced tools, it’s totally up to your choice.
Almost 3 supportive crossbars will be needed, so attach them and secure them with proper strong hinges and a lock. As for the thickness, 4 cm is more than enough for the doors.
If you don’t want animals to enter your aesthetic cabin, consider tightening the seals by crafting the door and window frames perfectly by sharpening the edges. One pro tip for perfect window openings is that measure them properly with a measurement tap instead of doing maths in your head.
All you need is 2 hinges and bolts to securely align the window frames in their designed spots.
Step 10: Treatment for Wood Preservation
If you’re more into affordable treatment options for wood preservation consider none other than cooking oil. Because if you buy a lubricator for wood or even if you use motor oil or diesel, all of them have cons way more than the pros.
As for the coats, at least two coats are enough to lubricate the surface resulting in a natural finish. Cooking oil is both budget and eco-friendly which will help you in the long run while maintaining your aesthetic log cabin.
Things To Consider While Building A Log Cabin In Texas
While building a Log Cabin in either Texas or any other state, there are some factors one needs to consider. These factors have a huge impact on how long and sustainable your log cabin is going to be. Here they are:
1- Climate
As for the climate, one will find Texas very diverse. How? Texas has 3 main parts with diverse climates; from very hot summers in southern and central Texas to very cold winters in Northern Texas.
So, wherever you’re planning to build your log cabin, you need to analyze the seasons and weather extremities. To avoid wood from swelling in hot summers and extreme coldness in winter, you need to use weather-resistant wood.
The above-mentioned woods in the method section are also potent enough to deal with strong weather, cedar or pine is recommended.
2- Soil Conditions
Whatever location you choose in Texas, make sure the ground conditions are in favor of a log cabin. Especially in Houston and its nearby areas, consider digging a lot under the ground for a solid foundation and a traditional slab won’t work well in this case.
Go for pier and beam, because the soil in this region has a huge element of clay that is known for absorbing moisture. So, it is always advised to have a deep foundation when constructing a house, cabin, or any building on a dry surface.
You might have heard about Soil Testing, consider testing your preferred region’s soil to see if it is capable of bearing weight or not.
3- Local Laws & Regulations
Some regions are not open to residential construction, so before building a cabin anywhere consider checking local building codes and laws regarding construction. Not just in Texas but wherever you’re choosing a region for construction, consider consulting with the regional officials to know more about the legal procedure.
The legal process will not be that problematic but if you’re planning to build a cabin near a lake or a river, officials might trouble you with some paperwork in order to protect natural habitat and surroundings.
It is preferred to analyze the Texas residential building codes before selecting a region to build your dream cabin.
Bottom Line
So, can you build a log cabin by yourself?
Of course, you can! Follow all the above-mentioned methods religiously and you’ll build an aesthetic yet strong cabin all by yourself in days not weeks.
Don’t ignore the basic things to consider while building a log cabin in Texas.
If you’re confused about cabin shed installation or just seeking professional help, consider reaching out to SunView Builders, as we feel proud to help individuals build their small dream cabins in a budget-friendly manner.
Check out all the outdoor sheds and you can tell us all the details related to the color, sizes, and other specifications for your cabin shed.