Simple Shelters that you can call 'Cabins'...

The_Blob · 01-09-2009, 02:19 PM

nice looking place flatwater!

Magus, have you seen the 'framing kits' they have at harbor freight? the ones where you slide 2x4s into & fasten... I think the basic kit is $50 & can frame a 10'x12' shed, of course you have to also buy the 2x4s & plywood...

Roi du Rodentia · 01-10-2009, 12:16 PM

I built an uber simple A-frame using six by lumber where Wife, Infant Son, two dogs and a cat lived with me through a WI winter while saving money to build the real cabin/house the next summer. Heated only by wood and the wife's infrequent attempt at cooking, we were snug enough even if ALL of us, dogs and cat included had to get up into the loft area where wife and I slept.No electricity, just kerosene lamps and battery powered radio, no running water, just a ten gallon milk can with a ladle and of course the do or die outdoor privy. Somehow, we all adapted to having our more pressing needs such as bowel movements, etc, for when we were at work. I could (and did) shower at work after each shift.
One unexpected benefit to this scheme was that once the main house/cabin was liveable, I was able to dismantle the A-frame and use that lumber to build an attached garage/carport/wood shed!

pubwvj · 02-11-2009, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeepHammer

What is the MINIMUM you can get away with for a 'Cabin'...

Our house is pretty minimal - about 252 sq-ft. We have a bedroom for us, a loft for the kids, a common room with the kitchen on one side, eating in the front, desk on the other side, wood stove in the middle. The bathroom is the remaining space with a full bathtub and shower. It is amazing how densely you can organize things into such a small space. Every thing's built in.

Sugar Mountain Farm: One Year Construction Mark

We built this small because it was something we could do effort wise, time wise and financially. It took us two months to close in and we barely made it before winter hit hard.

We built of stone and concrete because I understand those materials and wanted a structure with very low maintenance that would last. The high thermal mass (100,000 lbs) inside the insulating envelope means the house is very temperature stable and soaks up passive solar heat wonderfully. Much cozier than our draft old farm house.

As an added benefit, the town assessment is very low so it helps keep the real estate taxes down.

Cheers,

-Walter

Canadian · 02-12-2009, 01:40 AM

It's a stone house. It's a glass house. Look at all those windows. Let there be light.

crikey · 04-03-2009, 07:07 PM

There are a bunch of premade cabins you can buy that are ready to go. Here is a link to one site. i got mine from them and love it.

PRE-BUILT LOG CABIN SPECIFICATIONS & PRICES

The best part is it is semi portable, comfortable and looks like a real cabin. (well it is I guess) I have it setting on 24 acres in N. AZ. We have a small garden that gives us about 200 quarts of food each season, we have a well and the entire property is off grid and run by solar. On the back portion of the property is a very small stream that produces some brook trout in the spring and summer and whoever owned the land before me, and this is the best part, installed an actual underground bunker. Not just a concrete shaft in the side of a hill, a commercial underground bunker. Why or when he did it I have no idea but it is reasonably new (about 8 years maybe) and is complete with everything you could imagine. it simply needs stocked.

Sorry I went off on the tangent. Really just wanted to post the link.

sailaway · 05-01-2009, 01:39 PM

This is an interesting topic for me. I enjoy the trappings of the big city so will always maintain something there, where ever there is. I have a need for a place to go to when it all goes wrong and have begun to look for that place. I am interested in a 12'x16' barn style cabin like you see at Home Depot. I would never buy one though, I would go measure out one of theirs and buy the materials from them to build my own. Materials are only about 1/2 the cost of a complete one. Space wise, I would want a loft for sleeping in and have an open floor below. I go around about how many windows and a kitchen counter. I also think about a small closet with a portapotty toilet in the corner. I haven't settled in on what sort of roof yet, or how big of a poarch. I also am going to wire it for 12volt the way my sail boat is. Heating and cooking would be done with a wood burner, Igot a free one from Cabelas. I would definately keep it simple. Land wise it would be nice to find something butting up to a state or national park, ideally with a stream running through it. I wouldn't be there that often due to my schedule so I am concerned about its security. There are people every where and being ripped off whem I'm gone is a concearn. My game is to get the whole thing for free, by using company credit cards to build up points for Home Depot Gift Cards. Other than finding the right land I am on my way.

HillbillyWoman · 12-18-2009, 08:45 AM

I am so glad I found this thread. It's just the information I've been looking for, regarding minimizing and living securely if/when society goes down the tubes.

As regards sleeping in a hammock, that's not an option for me, as I have lower lumbar issues. Has anyone here heard of a 'Viking bed'? It's portable, strong, and easy on the spine. In the alternative, a closed cell foam along the "Murphy-bed" idea might be an option for a "larger" cabin with wall space to spare. The 'young folks' might can climb up into a loft night after night, but I couldn't.

Thoughts?

sailaway · 12-18-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HillbillyWoman

I am so glad I found this thread. It's just the information I've been looking for, regarding minimizing and living securely if/when society goes down the tubes.

As regards sleeping in a hammock, that's not an option for me, as I have lower lumbar issues. Has anyone here heard of a 'Viking bed'? It's portable, strong, and easy on the spine. In the alternative, a closed cell foam along the "Murphy-bed" idea might be an option for a "larger" cabin with wall space to spare. The 'young folks' might can climb up into a loft night after night, but I couldn't.

Thoughts?

I had a murphy bed in a studio apt. I once rented, it's as comfortable as the matress you have on it. I also think about multiple use furniture when I think of a small cabin. I also look at furniture and plans to make it thinking about what our ancestors would have had. How about a trundle bed or a sea birth type bed? doubles as a couch and a bed.

*Dean* · 12-18-2009, 03:28 PM

I was looking over the plans for a viking bed and that's pretty cool. I think I'm goign to make it my next project. My daughter needs a new bed. Little Girls like viking stuff right?

mirigraber · 12-20-2009, 03:00 PM

Great thread. I am really learning a lot here. Having a cabin in the woods has always been a dream of mine but no one ever supported it. My ex-husband didn't want anything to do with living in the country. My current boyfriend is not against it in theory but he works in NJ during the week is only here on weekends and is against it for that reason and I have to agree with him. I have camped long-term (6 weeks +) and lived on my grandparents farm when I was younger which was remote enough to be very very dark at night. We were always pretty comfortable there but after my grandfather died and it was just me and my mom and grandmother it had a very different feel. I think that these experiences have given me and appreciation of how vulnerable you can feel without neighbors and policemen and streetlights. Having a get-a-way type arrangement would not be perfect but seems like a good alternative for that reason and I'm trying to save up for doing that. Thanks for all the great info!