Are you thinking of constructing your own log cabins? If so, you’re in for quite a challenge, so get ready to do some hard work. Fortunately, Gardenhouse24 can help you. 

We supply people like you with ready-made log cabins, garden houses, and small garden rooms. In this article, we’ll discuss what you need to build your own log cabins, what timber is required, how to do the roofing, what you need for insulation and how Gardenhouse24 can make your life easier. 

Are you ready to take on this challenge and get started? Great, Gardenhouse24 will talk you through the process of log cabin construction. If you don’t know where to start, this task might seem daunting, but follow our lead, we’ll discuss everything step by step from the foundation to the finishing touches. If you don’t want to start completely from scratch, we can supply you with the parts needed to build your own log cabins. All you need to do is assemble them. 

Log cabins are very handy outbuildings. You can use them as outdoor offices, extra bedrooms, outdoor living areas and more. Let’s get you set up with your very own log cabin in your backyard. 

What Timber Should a Log Cabin Be Built With?

The best timber for log cabins is something durable and weather resistant like cedar or cypress wood. These types of wood are naturally water repellent and warp resistant. They are also rot resistant which makes them excellent choices for outdoor construction. 

Cedar is by far the easier timber to work with. Cypress retains moisture for a long time which means you need to take into account the moisture loss over the years. Moisture loss can cause the wood to shrink which will affect your structure. Cypress is also more prone to mould while still drying, You can buy cypress dried to the right level, but that increases cost significantly. 

Fur and spruce are also options for log homes. They do, however, need more protection than cedar and cypress. These woods are not rot resistant and need to be treated to stay in good condition. Our suggestion would be to go with Cedar. It’s a light, durable wood that will last with minimal treatment over the years. 

Log Cabin Insulation

When it comes to log cabin insulation, your main target would be the floor and the roof. The walls would generally be pretty well insulated already by the wooden logs. Wood is an excellent insulation material, after all. Just make sure there are no spaces between the logs for wind to get through, and you’re good to go. 

For the roof, you have a variety of insulation options. These range from foam insulation to chipboard ceilings. What you use, will depend on your structure’s roof and if you have a ceiling or not. You can also insulate the walls by creating a second wall on the inside of the building. Make sure there’s an air layer between the outer and inner walls to help with insulation. 

The floor is a little bit more tricky since the insulation should be built into the foundation directly. Build a frame for the insulation boards to sit on. You don’t want them touching the ground since they might absorb moisture and start rotting. Once the frame is done, attach the insolation panels to the frame and lay your normal floor boards over them. This will help keep the cold out from below your feet. 

Log Cabin Roofing

When it comes to log cabin roofing, you first need to choose a design. It would be best for your roofing material to compliment the look of the rest of your log cabin. You have a choice between several different kinds of roofing materials such as metal roof plates, shingles, cedar shakes, slate and clay. 

The most popular and cost-effective option is shingles. This roofing material is lightweight, fire resistant and easy to maintain and install. Metal roof plates on the other hand are very durable, but they offer no insulation at all. Cedar shakes look great but are very difficult to install. They are also extremely expensive. 

Slate roofing material used to be very common, but has fallen out of favour due to the high material costs and heavyweight. Slate is great if you never want to reroof again though. Clay is your last option. Clay is a great choice for insulation. It’s been used for years to create comfortable interiors and looks great. Your clay singles can also be made to mimic other styles of roofing materials such as slate. This makes them an excellent choice for those who like the style, but can’t afford it. 

How Long Does It Take to Build a Log Cabin?

To build a log cabin from scratch, by yourself, will take around 280 days. A significant amount of this time should be spent on planning, instead of building the cabin. Make sure you know exactly what to do during each phase of construction before you start building. 

If you’re simply assembling a log cabin bought from Gardenhouse24, it could take as little as 6 weeks to construct your new log cabin. Keep in mind that your foundation is extremely important. If you need help with planning and constructing your log cabin, please reach out to us. We can even construct your new log cabin for you. 

The Differences Between Log Homes & Log Cabins

Log homes are usually large structures meant to be lived in. Log cabins on the other hand are much smaller buildings meant to be used as guest suites or outdoor offices. Log cabins are also much more secluded than log homes, and some would argue that they are less modern. We would disagree, however, since the style can be as unique as its owner. 

Conclusion

Now that you know a bit more about log cabins, it’s time to start planning yours. It’s best to first decide on a location. Next, you will need to plan out your foundation and make sure you know exactly what is needed to make it strong. Your foundation is the most important part of the whole structure, after all. Once that planning is done, you can look at the planning of the rest of the building. 

Make sure you know what’s required for every step. Log cabins are great to have around, especially for those who desire an escape every so often. If you aren’t confident in your own skills to build one of these beauties from scratch, Gardenhouse24 is here to help. We can have your new log cabin ready in as little as 6 weeks. 

Get in touch with us today! We’ll come to your house and install your new log cabin for you. 

Happy Cabin Building!