Building a Log Cabin


Building a log cabin is one of the greatest adventures I have been on! It all began when I saw several old log cabins down in West Virginia. I was fascinated with the axe marks and the grey chinking between the logs.

I always liked old barns with hand hewn beams so seeing these same style logs in cabin walls was incredible. Upon further study I noticed how the doors, windows and jambs were also hand made. My artistic side was stirring. I wanted to build my own.

Building a Log CabinClick to enlarge

I now understand that building a log cabin does not take a great amount of previous experience or talent. It takes a lot of persistence and good resources.

When I say resources, I am referring to a book like Charles McRaven’s The Classic Hewn-Log House or a web site like this with details of real working knowledge.



You will find that building a log cabin is very simple. Most of the work is cutting, peeling and shaping your logs. As you begin to work out your cabin, here are some questions to consider:
  • What kind of wood will you use? This is very important since some wood types are very poor choices.
  • What size, shape and style of log cabin do you want to build?
  • Will you hew your logs with an axe and adze or have them sawn on a sawmill or or chainsaw mill? I started with a broad axe but after hewing four 22 ft logs I realized I did not have the time or the back for it! The cutting position for the broad axe irritated a previous back injury. I finished with a chainsaw mill. This did not get me the axe marks but overall, I am happy with my cabin. I now have a greater respect for those marks and the men or woman who made them.

    Log Cabin Notch Dovetail Notch

  • Will you design the cabin yourself, copy someone's project or use professionally drawn plans?
  • Which type of corner notch do you like and have the time and skill to make?
  • What needs to be done to your site to prep for construction?
  • What kind of foundation do you need and like?
  • How will you get the logs (especially the top levels) up?
  • Where can you find windows that will look right and function well?
  • Will your cabin have a porch?
  • What will the interior of your cabin be like?


What do you want to know about building a log cabin?

Submit your question for Banjoe and other visitors to comment on.

What is the short version of your question? (Post title)

Answers from Banjoe

Click below to see previously asked questions...

Best Type of Wood for a Log Cabin  starstarstarstarstar
If I were to build a cabin in North Georgia where there is an abundance of pine, would that be the best type of wood for a log cabin? Is there an aging

Restoring a Log Home - How to do grooves for lathe  starstarstarstarstar
Hi Banjoe, My husband & I are restoring the log home where I grew up. We have completed the outside chinking and followed your advice re: cutting a top

Peeling Bark  starstarstarstarstar
What is your opinion on peeling bark? I have watched several videos on youtube on building a log cabin. Some people strip the logs of bark and some do

Log Cabin Corner Notches  starstarstarstarstar
I am torn between standard log cabin corner notches and the butt and pass method. What are the advantages of the b-n-p method? Banjoe answers: I can't

I want to build a small cabin. How do I design it?  starstarstarstarstar
Next year I want to build a small cabin for hunting and just as a retreat. I have four acres with some woods, but a neighbor has given me permission to

Alabama Mountain Pine log cabin - What is your opinion?  starstarstarstarstar
I have built one cabin out of chestnut oak and loved it. I decided to build another and sell it. The tree I am thinking about using is the Alabama mountain

Is a chainsaw mill worth it?  starstarstarstarstar
Banjoe, Hello! Great work on your cabin. I myself have wielded a broadaxe on more than one occasion and, like yourself,

Building a Cabin in Western New York - What wood would be best?  Not rated yet
What wood is the best to use for building a cabin in Western New York? The cabin will be in a predominately maple, beech & hemlock woods with plenty of

WHAT TYPE OF TREES SHOULD BE USED FOR BUILDING LOG CABINS?  Not rated yet
WHAT SIZE LOGS SHOULD BE USED FOR BUILDING LOG CABINS? Banjoe Answers: Ray, it has been my observation that cabin builders tend to use what they have

Building a Log Cabin from Eucalyptus Grandis  Not rated yet
Hi there How would Eucalyptus Grandis do as a wood for building a log cabin? It is about the only non-commercial product near me. Regards, Dominic

Does the length of your logs determine your cabin size?  Not rated yet
Does the length of your logs determine your cabin size or can you splice your logs to increase your wall length? I can cut logs up to 20' on my saw mill,

IS LOBLOLLY BAY A GOOD TREE FOR BUILDING A CABIN?  Not rated yet
I am thinking about building a cabin on my hunting land in eastern NC. There is a good stand of loblolly bay trees on the land. I hear they are in the

Pictures of an octagon log home?  Not rated yet
Do you have any pictures of an octagon log home? Answer from Banjoe: I looked in my files and did not find any pictures of an octagon shaped hewn log

Can you put the chimney in the center of the cabin and use it to heat water?  Not rated yet
Question: I was thinking of building a cabin and placing a stone fireplace in the middle to divide the dining room from the living room. I also wanted

Is it okay to use green oak logs when building a cabin?  Not rated yet
I am planning to build a 20x20 log cabin with dovetail notch on our property in Northeast Arkansas. I was wondering should I go ahead and build the cabin

Looking for good log cabin building resources  Not rated yet
I am just getting ready to start building a log cabin, i am wanting to be very involved in the building of the cabin along with friends and family. I am

Chinking for Mid 1800s log home  Not rated yet
Banjoe, Our log home is only half logs from the mid 1800s and the other half was an addition from the early 1930s and all of it was covered with Hardy

How do i cut grooves in logs aready up for lathe?  Not rated yet
I bought a older cabin. How do I cut grooves for lathe? Thanks. Answer from Banjoe: Hello, Roger. Thanks for this great question! My suggestion would

Log dovetail jig plans  Not rated yet
Hola, quiero construir una cabaña con troncos cuadrados y corte de log dovetail y necesito algunos planos de log dovetail jig ya que he visto algunos de

Quick log fitting  Not rated yet
I built a log cabin in 1990 with a friend using the Swedish scribe fitting technique----it was awesome ----but took forever. What methods can be used to

Building Log Cabin Playhouse  Not rated yet
I want to try building a log cabin playhouse for my nephews - something cheap but still nice. Any advice? From Banjoe: Dear Kyle, Building a log cabin

What's your log cabin chinking mixture?  Not rated yet
Hi there! Great site you have here. I am planning to re-chink a restored cabin that was moved to my property. Right now it just has spaces between the