Log cabin instructions

Introduction

A log cabin is an excellent addition to your property. You can build one in a weekend or less, and have a cozy place for you and your family to enjoy for years to come. This guide will show you how it’s done!

Prepare the foundation

Prepare the area for construction

You’ll want to clear away any large rocks and debris. Then, you’ll need to level the ground so that your foundation can be built in a manner that will withstand loads from heavy snowfalls. You can hire a landscaper or excavator if needed, or use tools like shovels and rakes to level out the area yourself. Leveling can be done with just about any kind of material: soil, sand or gravel depending on how much weight you want your cabin’s structure to bear without toppling over from its own weight!

Build a foundation

A foundation is basically just another word for “the bottom part of something”, so it goes without saying that we’re talking about digging an area into which we will place all our cabin parts later on when building our actual log cabin! Make sure this space is about two feet deep (60 cm), then add some drainage pipes into this hole after pouring in some gravel as well – this way water won’t get caught inside your walls during heavy storms which could cause mold growth later down line when temperatures rise again after winter ends completely!

Cut the logs to size

When you’re building a log cabin, the most important thing to remember is that the logs should be cut to the right size. You will need to make sure that they are all the same length, width and thickness otherwise your cabin won’t look very good. This can be done by using a saw or chainsaw and making sure that you cut straight lines on each log so that it looks nice when you put them together.

Notch the logs

Notch the Logs

Once you have the logs in place and ready to be joined, it’s time for a notching party. Notching is a way to make sure that the logs fit together tightly without gaps or spaces, which would allow heat and cold air to penetrate your cabin. You’ll want to cut notches into the ends of each log so they overlap when placed together on top of one another. This will give them a snug fit while also making sure they don’t slide out of position over time due to changes in temperature or humidity levels in your cabin.

Build the floor joists

Floor joists are horizontal support beams. They need to be spaced about every 12 inches and the logs should be centered on them, so you will use a tape measure to find the center of each log before laying out your floor joist pattern.

For example, if your cabin is 16 ft wide and 28 ft long, then each floor joist should be spaced at 1’-8” (1 ft 8 in) or 3 1/2 feet apart. Using this guide as a guideline for spacing allows you to build an evenly spaced log cabin floor.

Lay down the roofing felt paper

Use a hammer to secure the roofing felt paper. This is especially important around any seams or holes in your cabin that may allow water through. The roofing felt paper should be wide enough to cover the entire roof, so make sure you have some extra with you when assembling your cabin.

Add roofing nails

If you’re using a nail gun, it’s best to use galvanized nails. These are easier to find at home improvement stores and will work better in a wet environment. If you’re not using a nail gun, make sure that the head of each nail is big enough for the job (i.e., don’t use finishing nails). The length of your nails also matters: make sure they are long enough to penetrate through both pieces of wood and provide them with strength from within.

Apply roofing shingles

Now that you have installed your roofing felt paper, it’s time to apply the shingles. Shingles come in rolls and are made up of smaller pieces of wood glued together. The easiest way to install a shingle is using a shingle nailer (a tool used for nailing down the edges of each row). You should also use a hatchet or other sharp object to trim off any excess shingles after installing them in straight lines across your cabin’s roof.

Construct the frame walls

Now that you have a frame and the exterior walls are built, it’s time to put up the interior walls. To do this, you’ll use 2×6 lumber to build a simple box frame with a door in one side and window in another.

First, measure and mark down the size of each wall on your floor plan. Each interior wall should be 1 foot shorter than the corresponding exterior wall (so if your cabin is 10 feet wide, each interior wall should be 9 feet long). Use a framing square (or ruler) to make sure all four corners are 90 degrees from one another.

Once you’ve got everything aligned correctly, nail or screw together each corner joint with at least two nails or screws. Then use a level across each joint to make sure they’re straight before proceeding on with further construction.

Install a wooden subfloor

To install your new subfloor, you’ll need to lay down sheets of plywood. The sheets should be cut to fit around the perimeter of the cabin, and should overlap at least an inch in between each sheet. It’s also important that each sheet is level as it’s laid down—if not, you may have difficulty later when installing insulation or floorboards.

To secure these sheets in place, use a nail gun (or hammer if you don’t have access to one) to drive nails into the joists underneath them. Do not overdo it: too many nails will make it difficult for you to remove them later if they are needed again for another purpose!

Install siding on the gable ends

1 Line up the siding over the gable end, and make sure it’s flush with the log. If you’re using a nail gun, use a brad nailer to attach one piece of siding to each side of the log. If you’re using a hammer and nails, drive three or four nails through each edge of the siding into each face of its respective log.

2 Continue installing pieces until you reach another corner. Then follow steps 1-2 again for that corner (that is: line up your next piece of siding with this new edge). You will now have two pieces attached along this edge, so continue by nailing those pieces together by driving more nails into them from their opposite sides (for example: if nailing from left to right then drive nails in from right to left). This will create a seam between them which should be flush with both faces of its corresponding logs when finished.

Assemble and install ceiling joists and rafters on the roof

Once you’ve assembled your rafters, you’re ready to install them on the roof.

Make sure that the rafters are level and parallel to one another.
Make sure that they are at least 24 inches apart.
Make sure that they are perpendicular to the walls–this means that all of your rafter ends should be pointed directly towards an exterior wall so they will be parallel with each other when installed over your cabin’s top plate (the horizontal board).
If possible, make sure that there is at least 2 feet between each pair of rafters; this will allow for plenty of room for insulation and ventilation between joists in your ceiling once it is installed.

Install the door and windows

Install the door and windows before the roof is on.

Use a door jamb to support the door.

Install window frames before the roof is on.

Install windows before the roof is on.

Building a log cabin is hard work but can be done with some planning.

Log cabins are a type of home that can be built from scratch or purchased as kits. They are generally made from logs and have a rustic, cozy feel to them. A log cabin is a good choice for people who want to live off the grid and don’t mind using wood stoves for heat. If you’re building your own cabin, keep in mind that this project will require hard work—but it’s certainly possible!

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed reading our log cabin building instructions. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!