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montecristo
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# Posted: 3 Oct 2018 02:04pm
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I just recently purchased 40 acres in northwest Minnesota! We've built a bridge over the ditch so we can access it easier. I am able to drive my jeep with a small trailer over it. At some point we will get an approach put it but not now. For this fall, we are just going to stay in a popup camper. We are trying to get some trail established too, but it is some thick stuff. No one has regularly used the property since at least 2002.
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montecristo
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# Posted: 3 Oct 2018 02:07pm
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I am in the planning stages of building a 12x16 cabin with loft. Here is my current design with a cost sheet if all new materials were bought. I am hoping to cut these costs down by getting second hand items wherever I can. Open to suggestions, tips or anything else I should know.
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frankpaige
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# Posted: 3 Oct 2018 03:22pm - Edited by: frankpaige
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I for one do not find the loft Hot or uncomfortable, as some do here. Our's is a 12x16 also. Love the size. The one issue we had was designing a fold up ladder that gave us access to the loft and was out of the way the rest of the time. Consider your cabin orientation. Also, consider it with that deck, I know you will be building. Windows, windows, windows. Awesome experience. You will have a great time building it and a great time enjoying the finished product.
After looking? How do most people feel about the main door in the center? I felt it gave me more ability to change things if it was off to one side. (That way the lady of the cabin got the bathroom)
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rockies
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# Posted: 3 Oct 2018 06:37pm
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I notice that you are using 2x8's for the floor structure and 2x4's for the walls. What kind of climate are you in? Are you using the cabin in winter? If so you may want to go up one size in lumber for more insulation.
I also see you're planning on using deck blocks. Can you upgrade to Bigfoot footing tubes or a metal screw pile foundation? Much more stable.
The windows in the loft will have to conform to fire egress codes.
What are you doing for water, waste and electricity?
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montecristo
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# Posted: 3 Oct 2018 07:37pm
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It won't be used in the coldest winter months so I think the framing sizes should be fine.
Because of the soil type and depth it would be to much of a cost increase since it's probably at least 10 feet to stable soil. With the deck blocks I will be able to re-level a few times a year.
Waste will be a bucket until an outhouse is built. Drinking water will be carried in. I'll be putting on gutters and barrels to collect water for other uses. There will be no electricity except for a generator when/if needed.
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fiftyfifty
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# Posted: 3 Oct 2018 09:13pm
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Have you considered building it on 2 treated skids rather than deck blocks? Then it can just float up and down on the ground as it goes through its freeze/thaw cycles.
Personally, I'm with frankpaige--I like a door off to one side of the gable end, rather than in the middle.
I agree with the idea of lots of windows. I collected mine over a year's time on craigslist, and got some great deals on some really nice windows. Also bought a few at BMO Eagan auction wedbsite. But I live in the Twin Cities, which makes both of those easier.
What are you going to use the loft for? storage or sleeping?
Are you going to have a heater of any type or woodstove?
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montecristo
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# Posted: 3 Oct 2018 09:27pm - Edited by: montecristo
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Hey neighbor (live in buffalo, work in Blaine)!
I've been playing around with different door locations and the floor plan. Nothing's final yet but I might be leaning towards the door on one of the long sides.
Thanks for the tip on using skids, that might work out better with our conditions. Im guessing I would need to go with 8x8's?
I have 2 lofts in what I show. If I go with that, the front would be storage and the back would be sleeping.
There will be a wood stove but im also considering putting a small vented propane heater in it too.
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fiftyfifty
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# Posted: 4 Oct 2018 09:30am - Edited by: fiftyfifty
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I'm not sure exactly what size you would need for the skids. There is a Duluth-based guy who builds almost all his small buildings on skids. He built the shell for both my cabin (16 x 24) and my bunkhouse (10x16). He has a number of info-packed posts on here where he details exactly what he does, what sizes and why. There is a search function on this site, and if you search under his user name "OwenChristensen" you can find all his old posts. I do know that he usually builds his skids joining boards together rather than using a solid piece. He says a solid piece can warp, but a skid made of pieces laminated together doesn't. Your sketch-up looks a lot like the buildings he built me, with the steep roof (mine are 12/12) and the loft etc. The picture below is my 10x16.
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Infamous Dave
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# Posted: 5 Oct 2018 08:39pm
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Glad to see you found this site. There's lots of info here, I've read posts on here for days on end.
Good luck with the cabin!
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Just
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# Posted: 5 Oct 2018 09:11pm
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Monte. If you rotate your roof 90 * you will have 2 extra ft of head room in the loft .
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rockies
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# Posted: 6 Oct 2018 06:09pm
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What are you using as a ridge beam (or are you)? If you are, how are you transferring the loads down to the foundation?
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rockies
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# Posted: 6 Oct 2018 06:12pm
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Fiftyfifty, you're window trim detailing looks very nice. Your entire cabin looks Scandinavian in style. What does the interior look like?
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frankpaige
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# Posted: 6 Oct 2018 11:07pm
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"""I have 2 lofts in what I show. If I go with that, the front would be storage and the back would be sleeping."""
Consider this. Use the sleeping loft. Ditch the storage loft. Leave one part open. Might give you a more open feel? But I did have to build a "she-shed" for the accessories. You can never have enough storage.
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fiftyfifty
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# Posted: 7 Oct 2018 09:19am - Edited by: fiftyfifty
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Rockies, I'm trying to keep with the Scandinavian style on the inside too. Right now finishing it with 1x8 pine tongue and groove, the walls white-washed, the ceiling a light blue. The back half is lofted. Under the loft I'm attempting to build a Swedish style cupboard bed. Under it will be another bed that pulls out. To the left will be a tiny room that holds storage, or in the winter maybe a camping bucket toilet. I was going to heat it with a Jotul 602 to stay with the Scandi style, but went with Grizzly cubic mini instead to save space. I've attached an internet example of a Swedish cupboard bed that has the look I'm aiming for:
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montecristo
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# Posted: 8 Oct 2018 08:39am
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Quoting: Infamous Dave Glad to see you found this site. There's lots of info here, I've read posts on here for days on end. Good luck with the cabin!
Thanks for the tip on this place Dave. There is tons of valuable info here!
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montecristo
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# Posted: 8 Oct 2018 08:41am
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Quoting: rockies What are you using as a ridge beam (or are you)? If you are, how are you transferring the loads down to the foundation?
I wasn't planning on using a ridge beam. If I was, I assume I would need to beef up the headers on the end windows and door.
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