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Mountain retreatcopper mountain,colorado,rocky mountains,mountain, image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com
Find a location to build your cabin. If you already have land, then choose the highest and driest area to avoid flooding or water drainage problems. Plan how you will access the cabin and if it will be necessary to build a road or driveway into the property. Prepare and clear your building site. - 2
Building plansblue print building plans image by Stephen Orsillo from Fotolia.com
Research and determine if there are building codes or permits that will apply to your project. If a septic tank or drain field are to be installed, then determine the best location that will serve your cabin and install the system. If you plan to install a propane tank, then choose the location to place it and plan how trucks will be able to deliver gas. - 3
Lumberlumber 1 image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
Decide on the basic design and plan for your cabin. You can sketch out a plan yourself or purchase simple cabin-building plans online or from building supply stores. Determine how many beds or bunks you will require, and plan the space accordingly. Do you wish to have indoor plumbing or electricity? If so, incorporate the space and materials required into your plans. Determine required building materials and deliver them to your construction site. - 4
Foundation constructionfoundation steel. image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
Excavate well below the frost line. Install footings and construct a foundation wall at least 20 inches above grade level. Install piers within the foundation wall to support floor girders. It is very important to erect a strong and sturdy foundation for the cabin. Use cement blocks, rocks or poured concrete. Concrete blocks should not be placed on bare ground. Place them on firm, leveled and compacted gravel. Make sure the foundation is high enough to prevent animals from chewing on the wood around the base of the cabin. A stout foundation will prevent water damage to the cabin base. - 5
Cabinautumn landscape, rural house image by Canoneer from Fotolia.com
Make sure the outside dimension measurements of your foundation are precise before beginning construction of the floor joist. Build the floor frame of your cabin by nailing joists together with joist hangers. Cover the floor joists with weather-treated plywood flooring. Nail securely to the floor joists. - 6
Rough cabin wallscabin window image by sparkia from Fotolia.com
Construct a frame for each cabin wall. Allow openings for windows and door as per your cabin design layout. Be sure to position windows to allow for cross ventilation to provide fresh air and light at different times of the day. After you have built a frame for each cabin wall, raise the walls one by one. Level each wall vertically prior to nailing the walls to the floor frame. - 7
Old cabinlog cabin image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
Construct a roof frame for your cabin by nailing roof joists to the wall studs. Position and nail in place boards to cover the area between the roof joists. Cover the boards with weather-treated plywood and nail in place using galvanized nails. Cover the plywood with tar paper and secure. Finish the roof with asphalt, wood shingles or metal roofing.
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