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GabeAteU
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# Posted: 13 Nov 2023 05:18pm
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Hello, I am currently planning a cabin that will be built by myself. I have decided on building a 14x18 cabin including a loft. I have run into an issue with deciding on sizing the loft. How big should my loft be? I am on a budget but I would rather build a complete cabin that will satisfy my needs. Thanks for any responses and if I need to provide more information. Thanks!
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ICC
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# Posted: 13 Nov 2023 05:24pm
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Quoting: GabeAteU How big should my loft be?
What will the loft be used for? How steep a roof are you willing to work on?
Keep in mind that a loft is usually the hottest level in a cabin. If it is a comfy temperature on the main floor it may be too hot at the loft level and if the loft temperature is comfy the main floor level may be too cool. That is my opinion and others may have different ideas about that. Depends at lot on the "width" of your comfort zone.
-izzy
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GabeAteU
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# Posted: 13 Nov 2023 05:27pm
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So the loft will be the bedroom, I am looking to have a full size bed and clothing storage. I will be living full time in the cabin. I have thought a bit about comfort and to negate temperature I will have a window upstairs. I have lived in all sorts of temperatures so my comfort width is probably wider than most.
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GabeAteU
Member
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# Posted: 13 Nov 2023 05:29pm
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As far as the roofing situation I am not sure. I am a young guy so probably willing to work with most anything so long as it isn’t unsafe.
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spencerin
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# Posted: 13 Nov 2023 06:37pm
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How about a 16' x 16' floor plan instead of 14' x 18'? It would be much easier to build with respect to lumber dimensions. That would reduce scrap and save you $, which would be even more valuable if you're on a budget.
I would make the loft floor the same dimensions as the ground floor to maximize floor space, and to create more headroom, try a knee wall on the second floor with a relatively flatter pitch to the roof.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 13 Nov 2023 07:17pm
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Imo, you will be best to plan your size based upon multiples of 4' as sheet goods come in 4x8 and cutting/fitting them for odd sizing is a waste of time and money.
We did a 12x24 and a 12x12 stand up in the center loft on our 1st build; used it for 30+years, a good size for 2 of us. Our reality was that the loft bedroom wasnt that great. Up/down got old fast (ladder as it was too small for a stairs) then impossible after some injuries. It was beastly, sweltering hot on some summer nights even with cross ventilation. In winter it was snuggy warm until it was cold, then I was going down the ladder to load the stove again (if you figure on a wood stove know that it is not likely you can get a size that will run all night on a bedtime fill in a small cabin).
My conclusion is that a loft in a small cabin is better used for storage of 'seasonal' stuff, etc than people space. My current, or next one Im contemplating only a max 3' 'loft 'shelf' so stuff doesnt just get out of reach/buried back in it.
We have found on the current one that the 16x24 open room, cath ceiling is about the same sq. footage but so much more usable. A bedroom could be partitioned off but we use futon couches that turn into beds as needed. This footprint also is better at the whole room heating from one stove, but we still have to use a fan to kick the air around to get the mix. A cabin long and narrow will have cold ends if the stove is central or one very cold end if heated on the other end.
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Brettny
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# Posted: 13 Nov 2023 08:04pm
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Dont sleep in a loft with a wood stove. Use it for storage. Sleeping in one is like sleeping in hell.
Best advise is to do a interior layout to figure out cabin size.
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Aklogcabin
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# Posted: 14 Nov 2023 10:14am
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I enjoy the upstairs in our cabin. And it will give you a lot more floor space. On our 16x24 I built with a 12/12 pitch. And 10' tall side walls. This gives me more than 11' of headroom.
I see that folks write about the lofts like they are all bad. Maybe the ones they uses or not have been unreasonably hot. But in the winter maybe the extra warmth is better. And windows on each end for air flow. We built a 4'x16' deck for the upstairs. With the door open and window on the other end.
For us the benefit far exceeded any drawback. And if it's what you want, build it. I would not change plans, and then sit back later n not be satisfied because of others comments. You will get suggestions on the whole build. Take them for what they are. Someone else's thoughts.
Is there a particular reason you are choosing the dimensions that you have ? If you have possible snow issues, remember that the stovepipe will be susceptible to snow sliding off with your chimney. I like to have it near the peak.
Good luck on your project
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jsahara24
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# Posted: 14 Nov 2023 01:35pm
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I don't know if you have power at your site, but with a properly sized fan I have been able to get my loft to within a couple degrees of the downstairs with a pellet stove as the heat source.
Another option is to close the loft off from the lower level with a wall/door.
I personally wouldn't rule out a loft, but I would definitely consider what folks are saying because they do tend to be hotter than the downstairs...
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Steve_S
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# Posted: 15 Nov 2023 07:02am
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I was going to chime in with a similar post as AKlogcabin posted... Having the short wall makes a huge difference. I have a neighbour cabineer who built his walls with 12' with the loft floor at 8' giving him roughly a 3'6" half wall (maybe a little less)...
Wisdom shared is important, keep to 4'/8' calculations (Exterior Sheathing Measurements)...
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Alaskajohn
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# Posted: 17 Nov 2023 09:09am
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I have been living in a cabin with a loft for 9 plus years. I disagree with comments that a loft is not good for sleeping. Windows regulate temperatures and bring in fresh air too.
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 17 Nov 2023 12:10pm
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Hot air rises so if your lowering the loft temp by opening up loft windows your freezing out the bottom floor.
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 17 Nov 2023 04:53pm
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I sleep in the loft when the wife is mad at me
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Aklogcabin
Member
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# Posted: 18 Nov 2023 10:57am
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Opening up the windows in our cabin does not freeze out the lower level where the woodstove is.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 18 Nov 2023 11:21am
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Im sure a circulating fan would have helped in our old 12x24 c/w 12x12 stand-up loft, but waayyy off grid in the early days of taking a heavy 'marine/rv deep cycle' battery with no recharging.
The heating season wasnt all that bad, not so in the summer! A hot humid day followed by a hot still night was brutal, even with a pair of sgl hung 30x36 windows, a high 12x18 vent in the wall and (in desperation) a wind powered roof turbine vent near the ridge, all in the loft! No wind meant no cross venting.
In the way-back the old 2 story farm houses around here it was common in the deep cold winters to close off the upstairs and use the downstairs for living.
Same in the summer for the hot, humid, still nights; keep the upstairs windows open, close it off and let the heat stay up there, live downstairs or even sleep on the screen porch.
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Alaskajohn
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# Posted: 18 Nov 2023 12:04pm
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Quoting: Brettny Hot air rises so if your lowering the loft temp by opening up loft windows your freezing out the bottom floor.
Hot are does rise, but it doesn’t in any way freeze out the bottom floor. As I type this sitting in my loft bed, it’s -1 outside, 58 degrees in the loft and 77 on the bottom floor. I have two windows slightly open in the loft.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 18 Nov 2023 12:04pm
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Quoting: gcrank1 No wind meant no cross venting
Matches my experiences.
-izzy
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 19 Nov 2023 08:18pm
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Quoting: Alaskajohn 58 degrees in the loft and 77 on the bottom floor. I have two windows slightly open in the loft
Hot air dosnt rise in your cabin. Is your thermometer by the wood stove?
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Alaskajohn
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# Posted: 19 Nov 2023 09:55pm - Edited by: Alaskajohn
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Quoting: Brettny Hot air dosnt rise in your cabin. Is your thermometer by the wood stove?
No, the thermometer is against the wall on the main floor as far away from the wood stove as possible in the room.
Trust me, I know what I’m doing. I actually live this life in a cabin in Alaska. Hot air rises.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 19 Nov 2023 11:08pm
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I figured the 58* because you had the windows open a bit.
When we had the old place and free oak wood (except for the work) I didnt care if I had to throw another chunk in the stove because we had a window cracked for air or temp regulation.
I guess that putting in some loft in a build is ok, if it turns out not to work for people space it can always fill up with stuff. 
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Alaskajohn
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# Posted: 20 Nov 2023 12:07am
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Quoting: gcrank1 I figured the 58* because you had the windows open a bit.
Absolutely. If you don’t regulate the temperature by opening the window it would be too hot in the loft.
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