BUILD A CABIN

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. 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 and 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.
How many logs do you need?
Where can you get the logs and how will you move them?
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.
What size, shape and style of log cabin do you want to build?
Will you design it 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?
Where will you build your cabin?
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?
What kind of roof is the best option for the project?
Will you build your own doors or buy them premade?
Where can you find windows that will look right and function well?
Will your cabin have a porch?
How and when will you do the chinking?
What will the interior of your cabin be like?
Will you use wood heat from a stove or fireplace or will you have a furnace/heater of some kind?
How can you get the help you might need to accomplish this project?

If you have other questions or ideas, feel free to contact me and I will share what I know or try to help you find the answers you need. I have many friends who have built different cabin styles and they have been an invaluable source of information. We can all help each other!

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Building a Log Cabin