building a log cabin in a forest

locky76

Anyone ever do this?
We have a 15 year old twenty acre forest (5- Ash, 15- Spruce) with the ash being beside the road in a nice square block.
I would love to build a log cabin there at some stage, clear an acre, south facing, and repay the grants to the dept for this area, approx. €7k.
Any ideas are appreciated.

Reindeer

Ash is not as long-wearing and dimensionally stable as a couple of other choices we have here for cabin use (assuming large planks and minimally or not milled and minimally or untreated trunks). Larch (various Larix - usually european or japanese from what I have seen here) or Douglas Fir(Pseudotsuga menziesii) would better suit a cabin, as they are more resistant to parasites and the elements, especially minimally treated, are far more dimensionally stable (they season without changing dimensions or warping when not under tension) and generally have less value as firewood, timber or planks.

Having said that, I am about to build a cabin this summer using some spruce and larch. I'll let you know if it is a bust.

jerryg

It would be interesting to see some photos if you get this project done Reindeer.I for one would love to see how you get on as its also on my list of things to do but its not urgent.

wayoutwest

Locky76 - what size cabin are you intending to build, and what is it going to be used for?
It could be worth getting some lads in that have mobile woodwoking machinery -they could flatten the spruce logs and maybe create the (water shedding/interlocking)profile that you have chosen (google Log cabin profiles).
You could get them to run up some nice chunky rafters, purlins and floorboards at the same time. If you intend to eventually have some sort of shed next to, or near the cabin - this could be put up first so it can serve as a drying area for the milled timber.
The only problem with using spruce, is that it open grained and not very durable unless pressure treated or soaked in preservative.Like Reindeer said -larch or fir would be a more naturally durable wood to use.....but spruce is what you have, so maybe if you designed your roof so it projected out (keeping the rain away from the log walls), you might get away with it.

Reindeer

jerryg wrote: »

It would be interesting to see some photos if you get this project done Reindeer.I for one would love to see how you get on as its also on my list of things to do but its not urgent.

This is just going to be a fishing cabin, so it won't be terribly fancy - just simple saddle notches and no filler. The larch is already in the ground as the corner posts since she will be raised from the ground as it is on the River.

locky76

Cheers folks for the advice to date, I actually have larch and alder planted there as well so plenty of options on that front.
I was only going to go with treated shiplap timber nailed onto a structural timber frame....
On a side note are there any issues as rgeards planning etc.?

wayoutwest

Locky76 - size and intended use of structure??
I'm a bit dissapointed that you are not going to build a proper log cabin (as the thread title suggested).I love the idea of the log replacing the outer skin/frame/insulation/inner skin of a framed structure .Your larch would make excellent building timber -forget using the spruce.Alder wood will rot if exposed to dampness (it is used to make pilings for jettys-where it submersed in water continuously and not exposed to air)

TomOnBoard

For the Love a Gawd, wud ye ever stop telling people what they should or can not do...

The O.P. told ye what timber s/he had access to. S/he also told ye, albeit in general terms, what s/he is trying to achieve...

Please stop telling her/him how s/he ought not have started out from here....

wayoutwest

.......er, whats ya problem Tom ???-the O.P said 'any ideas appreciated'.I don't think that I have been telling him what to do at all. I've helped to establish the fact that the O.P does'nt want to build a log cabin, rather a frame and shiplap building, and that he/she has larch to work with.Hopefully now,the O.P will receive good advice about converting their trees into the timber that would be needed for this particular structure.I asked about the size and intended use of the proposed structure , as the answers would help to generate advice from people who know about planning restrictions etc.

locky76

Thanks for rhea Advice to date, I'd be looking at a cabin with an open plan living area, two bedrooms and a bathroom....
I'm not wedded to the ship lap idea and might consider the interlocking logs.
We'd use it as a recreational area, somewhere to go and chill for weekend etc...

Reindeer

Yeah - forgot to mention I am using spruce just for paneling and shingles. We are crawling with larch on the estate here. Spruce has to be seasoned and treated if you want to use it for any structure.

octo

I took on a project like this a few years ago. I went so far as a felling licence and outline planning permission. I abandoned the idea when the economy fell arseways but it's perfectly feasible. Best apply for the OPP first or you can't do anything. How will you access the property? You'll need good drainage or access to to mains waste water. You'll also need drinking water. You can get a free pre-planning meeting with your local authority. I found that very useful. Good luck!

evanmcl

Hi me and my dad added a log cabin extension to our holiday home. We cut down the trees in our adjacent garden (mixture of firs, laylandia and others)
We started by securing the the first one at the bottom then pinning the next one with a reinforced metal spike.
We put up an internal stud wall insulated it and weatherproffed it.
Ill try put up a photo if I can