Why Not Make a Garden Log Cabin?

We all dream from time to time about having a log cabin in our backyard, but is it difficult to turn that dream into a reality?  Quite a few kits for garden log cabins are on the market, but the cheapest and most satisfying way is to build it yourself. This is the way to do it.

Although easy to build, your log cabin design must be thorough from the start and you should get professional plans and expert advice to help you do this.  Consider getting the vital materials list prepared for you – it will save you much time and money.  Good quality plans are a vital investment, and will include all the necessary design calculations.

Usually garden log cabins have only four sides.  Any other shape will lead to extra corners and therefore more complication and cost. A good size for a log cabin home would be about 20 ft by 30 ft.  Look for a raised site to avoid damp and prepare a reasonably level area to accommodate the structure.  

Floors of garden log cabins are often the earth itself or, more likely, wooden planks.  The latter would be preferable and easier to keep clean.

Your plans will specify the size of logs to be used, and these will be quite rough and not necessarily very straight.  Don’t worry – this is the basis for all charming garden log cabins!  Logs are joined at each corner by a lock-joint.  This is a notch cut about one foot in from each end of the log.  The notch is cut nearly halfway through the log, joining with a similar notch in the mating log to produce that famous log cabin appearance.  

If you have built a proper foundation, such as a concrete base, fix the first course of logs to it using anchor bolts and ensure these logs are levelled properly.  Set joists for the wooden floor into the longer side logs at about two-foot intervals. Build further courses of logs up to the planned door height, about 80 inches.  At this stage cut out openings for the door and windows – fastening wood battens to the logs to ensure stability – and instal the door and window jambs.  Then take the log courses up to the final wall height.

Shorter logs will now be laid at each end, still mated to side logs, to produce the roof pitch specified in the blueprints.  Top off with the ridge pole.  Garden log cabins usually have roofs made from wooden planks or shingles.  The plans will have various options and will show you how to fit them.  A mixture of moss and mud is the traditional method for filling the gaps between logs – you might find your kids eager to help at this stage!

Now finish building your log cabin by fitting the floor, windows and door.  You could make your own door from old planks and battens, but these often warp badly in time and it is much more advisable to look for an old door in a salvage yard or antique shop and design your log cabin around it.  Many log cabins are simply fitted with shutters so you might consider leaving the window openings unglazed but, if not, your plans should indicate the proper style and type of windows to fit.

Many log cabins have fireplaces or wood-burning stoves, because a fire is part of the dream for many people.  Be very careful about including such things, however, because there is a real risk of fire or heat damage to the surroundings.  There are often local regulations about fitting fires in wooden buildings, and remember, you are the one responsible for observing these laws.  Once again, good quality, professional  plans will include advice, options and guidance for fitting safe and attractive fireplaces in your log cabin.

Also, it is worth considering making and fitting solar electricity panels and solar hot water heaters to give your cabin a zero environmental impact.

Remember to plan ahead, so that you finish your garden log cabin well before winter arrives!