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Small Cabin Forum / Cabin Construction / Storage building
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Rpritch01
Member
# Posted: 27 Jan 2013 10:31pm
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Ok gang, I been surfing and trolling around here looking at all the different plans and options for awhile...
We have property about 30 miles away thats off the grid basically... We been looking at different plans and options and think we have basically decided to go with one of the wood type storage buildings that are pre-built and delivered to site and converting it to a cabin...

With that we are looking at the 12' wide and going to go somewhere around 36' plus in length... with that said I know the builders have a 8' option for sidewalls which we are going to do... but other than that... just ordering the bare bones type so we can wire it in way we want for solar act...
is there anything we need to do before we start hanging insulation to it??? I have seen where some have cut the Peak out then placed vent the length of the building... I have also seen where some have placed vents along the facia of the buildings is this a required thing or just options??? any other info would be great help along with what everyone did floor plan wise...

Thanks...

larry
Member
# Posted: 27 Jan 2013 10:36pm
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if i may, what is the cost of a shed that size? how much to deliver? do you have any building skills?

Jeremy165
Member
# Posted: 27 Jan 2013 11:22pm
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In regards to ridge vent and soffit vents, it depends on a ton of things, including what region you are in, if your attic is heated or not/cathedral ceilings.

Tell us more about the cabin, insulation plans, structure... Any drawings?

MtnDon
Member
# Posted: 27 Jan 2013 11:41pm
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The biggest issue with converting a pre built shed to a cabin is the difficulty in getting sufficient insulation on the walls and ceiling/roof? What is used for wall studs and roof on the ones you are looking at. Ditto for the floor. Another item is sometimes the standard windows a\re just single pane glass. I'd really look and think with a critical eye before using a shed for anything other then storage.

Rpritch01
Member
# Posted: 28 Jan 2013 09:43am
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Ok, great questions back...

This is going to be in the Oklahoma panhandle area

Cost of she'd 12x40 is going to run about 7k plus a little for some extra for some extra windows and 8 foot side walls... Delivery is free...

I can do some basic handyman stuff and have friends who I can count on for rest I can't do...

Going to have open cathedral type ceilings... Planning on insulating between the roof and interior with either roll in fiberglass type or pink hard board type insulation...

These buildings are 2x4 construction... They are built pretty darn solid...
Floors are 1/2 plywood and I have thought about using the spray expanding type insulation on bottom of floor side...

No real floor plan drawn out on paper yet just a in my head type idea as of now...

bukhntr
Member
# Posted: 28 Jan 2013 08:34pm
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have them build with 2x6 ceiling rafters for r-19. Also you want to drop your inside ceiling a little to creat an airspace attic. have ventilation either a ridge vent or gable end and soffit vents to get moisture out so you don't mold in your insulation. You should be able also to substitute your own doors and windows.

Purplerules
Member
# Posted: 28 Jan 2013 08:36pm
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We went with one of these type of structures, but the company we went with had a cabin type series, so it was a bit better than just a shed shell. We have been very happy with it so far. But we do see that it is going to take way longer to finish out this interior shell than we originally thought. But is nice to be able to use it immediately while doing the work on it. We are in Central Texas. So for our climate this has been a good fit. You can see pics of ours over in the members project forum under 16x28 Ulrich shell to become a cabin.
Good Luck on your journey!

Rifraf
Member
# Posted: 28 Jan 2013 10:51pm - Edited by: Rifraf
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If you arent in a time crunch you can build a small shell, or have a local builder do it for the same or less than a portable building from the typical suppliers like Derksen.

I was in a big hurry and had to be living in my structure within a few months.. so I went with Derksen. Mtdon is right on all accounts, the windows are single pane but easy to swap out.. or you can order with no windows and add your own very easily. I have not swapped mine out yet but did use plexi glass with custom frames made from wood, Styrofoam and sealer strips that fit into the window cavity (from the inside) for added insulation this winter.. Looks nicer than you might think and helps with heat loss.

Without something like this , you will get water droplets rolling down the windows on very cold nights (the single pane type only)

The insulation .. The ceiling is the big issue for insulation space but not if you get a cabin model with high walls and finish the upper part as an insulated attic. I am using my lofts so insulated just the joist/rafter cavity. I used 1 inch air cavity and used R13 in the remaining 2.5 inches, and am covering that with 3/4 inch T&G

In the areas where its is completed.. with the T&G I get no moisture issues at all. I have ran probes up my soffits to check on cold mornings and there is nothing up there that shows up.

After this winter even in the areas with open insulation where moisture can get under the unsulation and condense a bit. I have no real long term issues that I can see, all surfaces under the open insulation are dry , the insulation itself is also dry. The little bit of condensation will be addressed once the T&G is installed everywhere anyway.

Its worth noting I did add a ridge vent on the roof and soffit holes on the eves.

Rpritch01
Member
# Posted: 28 Jan 2013 11:28pm
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What size of building did you go with Rifraf??? What about floor plan have any to share??? This is going to be our off grid type cabin... Probably have solar w/ battery bank for power... It's half way between work and home, so on some days will stop in spend night if nobody home to save miles... Just mainly a place to get away from everyone... No traffic, blah blah blah... Closest house 2 mile crows flight 5 mile by road...

Rpritch01
Member
# Posted: 29 Jan 2013 10:12am
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Ok couple questions on your building does the 32 include porch area??? I assume it does... That's type we need looking at also r possible lofted barn... Didn't know about loosing sq footage to porch area...

Ours will be basically off grid so will be depending on some type of alternate energy source... At this time guessing solar and battery...

We are lucky on land side as we have 160acres... Views are not the greatest but they re great for our area... And not a lot of neighbors...

Do you have a drawing of your floor plan??? I got rough idea of it but would like to see what yours is...

We are thinking headroom on one end entry from opposite end with a kitchen and bath in middle area... But not sure yet... Doubt we have tub prob just standup shower I guessing to save space...

Rifraf
Member
# Posted: 29 Jan 2013 10:50am - Edited by: Rifraf
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yes the 4ft of my total length is porch. 28 ft aprox. internal space.

these were my pre build design renders. We have a clawfoot tub, its 4.5ft long at fits very snug in the 4 ft, 7 1/2 open space in the bathroom. I wanted a 4 ft clawfoot tub but could not find one locally. (used)

c5
c6
c7
c8
c9

Rpritch01
Member
# Posted: 29 Jan 2013 12:51pm
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Are the 2 lofts both used for kids rooms??? What sidewall height did u go with???

Rifraf
Member
# Posted: 29 Jan 2013 01:50pm - Edited by: Rifraf
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Sidewall height is 6.6 ft and yeah both lofts are kids rooms.

The logic (at least my half witted version) in my layout is something like this.

In the living room, you are always sitting to watch TV , play video games or read a book. In the master bedroom you primarily sleep or use the desk, in the bathroom you sit for one reason or another primarily.. aside from what you may do at the sink.

I knew I wanted the lofts to have lots of room laterally so 12X12 area was a must for each one. The remaining 8 feet would be open vaulted, .. and with the reasons above I decided the kitchen and dining would be vaulted, we will be spending a lot of time cooking, getting drinks doing dishes, and enjoying dinners and snacks.. So this is where I wanted the most head room. I also decided it should be the center area that connects all other areas so that you often get into the vaulted area and feel less cramped. Here the ceiling fan would be center as well as the AC/Furnace.

The other criteria I made for myself that ultimately helped form this floorplan was I wanted one wet wall, all my water lines are on a 14 foot run on the same wall.

Rpritch01
Member
# Posted: 29 Jan 2013 02:47pm
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Looking at doing the 8 foot sidewalks option, through the supplier I am using its only like a 150 adding, then I figured that night help with waste on Sheetrock also... Or least hopefully less cuts anyways I hope...

Basically I looking at same option with my wet wall have all in 1 area...

In my head I had planned mid kitchen and bathroom with being able to walk into open living room but that would mean another set of walls and roof in middle of large open area... So think well prob go with floor plan closer to yours...

Wanting to use a double type door on one side so trying to get everything figured out in my mind...

Rifraf
Member
# Posted: 29 Jan 2013 03:56pm
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Keep us posted with pics.. I love to see what people do with these sheds.

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