New Pics of my Landscape Timber Log Cabin!

[Boleyz]

I wanted to re-open this subject, since many of you will be building something this spring. My "Timbers" were purchased from a local plywood factory. It took about 600 timbers to build what you see here. Do Not Use Pressure Treated Timbers!! They are too expensive, and too toxic to live in an enclosed structure with.

No, I don't know where you can get them around you. Lowes sells them according to their website, but they're pricey. Factory direct before they go out for treatment is where I got mine. You'll have to find a source on your own.

I wanted to re-visit this post with some new, up-dated pictures of my landscape timber cabin. Be sure to read the beginning for advice and warnings before you build one!



This is a picture that shows how the cabin is situated on my 15 acre bottomland farm. I rent the crop out to a neighboring farmer and he tends the place and pays me with 1/3 of the crop. It usually nets me around $800.00 per year. Not much, but enough for the taxes, and not bad when you consider that I never have to touch any tools or equipment.



Salvaged front door, with no lock...I got good neighbors, and I figure if anyone wants in, a lock won't stop them...it will only destroy my door! JMHO



This is what you'll see when you enter...I usually sleep on the couch and let my guests have the beds...(Couch Sleeps Better...Shhhh.) The Propane tank is topped with a 2 burner "Mr Heater". Sometimes it gets very cold during hunting season, and if no one wants to put a log in the stove, it's OK. We usually run this only at night.



This is the primary heat source...a king wood stove salvaged from a buddy who went to natural gas. He was happy to have it hauled away...no charge.
Notice the vaulted ceiling. I used sissors trusses and decked the ceiling with re-saw decking like the kind used on roofs under shingles. It's unfinished pine. I think I'll leave it that way...I may polyurethane it after it seasons a few years. Don't let the light bulb fool you...I've got some rudimentary wiring (2 sockets and a string of lights) it's only run by a generator situalted about 500 feet away in a shed. At bedtime, the generator goes off and we use a deep cycle battery and power inverter to power a small TV and my C-Pap sleep apnea machine.



If you look left after you enter, you'll see the dining area. Cooking is done on a camp stove or the huge smoker/grill outside on the front porch. Coffee is made in an old-fashioned percolator on top of the wood stove.



This shows my "Water System" I catch roof runoff in 2 barrels that are joined by a pipe at the top. When the first barrel is full, the water runs out a pipe near the top which carries it to the 2nd barrel. This water is used to clean and flush the toilet. It's dipped up in a bucket and carried inside (Old-fashion style)



This shot shows the bunk beds, the gaming table (under a dust cover - foozball). Notice the water rack at the foot of the top bunk. This rack holds 2 - 11 gallon water barrels that are actually old soda-syrup containers. A spigot screws right into the top of these. and they're tilted for flow. This is CLEAN WATER. The mop tub underneath is where we wash dishes and take sponge baths. I've got a shower curtain that can be pulled around the mop sink. We stand in a large washtub, heat water on the stove, dump it in the mop sink and wash up. Cold rinsing is available if you need it from the barrels. Works good, and you can bathe with a room full if you have to. They can only see your head and feet. (Primitive ain't it?)



Here's a shot of the most important room in the house. Used only for #2 and flushes must be prompt, since there is no ceiling in the bathroom to contain the aroma. #1 is done outside off one of the porches. I know, Barbaric right? But we're usually just 4 or 5 guys out on a deer hunt.



If you walk straight through the main room from the front door to the back door, you'll see this out the backdoor glass. My backporch is still a work in progress, but you can see I wanted to be able to sit on the porch and fish in the pond. I can and do.

If these pics inspire you, please ask any questions here. I'll be glad to help. God Bless! By the way, my total outlay for everything except the land was about $5000.00. Lots of used/salvaged stuff.

[Wolf mom]

Nice

How long did it take to build? How many people took part in building it?

[Boleyz]

Originally Posted by Wolf mom

Nice

How long did it take to build? How many people took part in building it?

It took me about 2 years to build it, but I live 300 miles away from it and could only work a few days at a time every month or 2. I did it all except the trusses by myself. I also had help with the tin roof. Otherwise, it's a one-man job.

I owned the land and wanted a place where I could stay while we visited friends and family there and where I could bring my buddies to deer/rabbit hunt.

[NJ Rich]

You did a nice job. I wish I had a place like that. Fishing off the porch. I like that to. What state are you in? I saw previous posts but it is probably gone since the "attack".

Just a thought; How about making a rack outside for the water barrels. They can gravity feed the toilet. If the toilet has standard flow controls inside it will work the same way it would with regular pressured water supplies. With the right shut-offs and drain plugs for winterizing you wouldn't need to carry buckets through the house. No need to walk through with wet feet on a rainy or snowy day.

It looks like you have enough room for a shower stall, "from salvage", and the utility sink next to it.

Do you fill the wash sink barrels with a pump while running the generator?

Another thought: Hot shower water: I have a large stainless steel pot with a fuacet on it. It has regular pipe threads. I would pipe it with metal pipe to resist the heat from the stove or heating unit to a point where in would install an inline "Through Hull Pump 12 volt from West Marine about $40.00. www.westmarine.com This could pump hot water to the barrels by the bunks. You maybe able to find such a pot at a salvage yard that has used restaurant equipment. The propane unit would surley heat some water fast.

At a camping mail order place: www.campmor.com you can buy Camp Suds. It rinses off really fast and doesn't leave you feeling "soapy". You can wash body and clothes with it even in hard water. I showered with 3 gallons of water in the mountains of New Mexico. Wet body, shut off water, soap and rinse.

Maybe some of my thoughts will help. But it looks like you have done alot of thinking already.

Good Luck with your place. NJ Rich

[fordson major]

Boleyz, i thought the first set of photos was great! i was wrong ,these show your cabin even better! now can you tell me how you can pry yourself away from the cabin to head back home? fishin' off the back porch?! next thing you'll be tellin is the deer come right up too the front porch with phesant every other day! and ramps and mushrooms just up the trail! little garden for taters , carrots and other vegys you'll be set! :baby04:

[jassytoo]

Are the timbers just stacked on top of one another? I don't see any uprights in the wall. What did you calk it with? Its a great idea and looks good.

[Boleyz]

Originally Posted by NJ Rich

You did a nice job. I wish I had a place like that. Fishing off the porch. I like that to. What state are you in?

I'm in Kentucky. I live in the southeastern mountains, and my farm is in the westernmost county.

I saw previous posts but it is probably gone since the "attack".

Just a thought; How about making a rack outside for the water barrels. They can gravity feed the toilet. If the toilet has standard flow controls inside it will work the same way it would with regular pressured water supplies. With the right shut-offs and drain plugs for winterizing you wouldn't need to carry buckets through the house. No need to walk through with wet feet on a rainy or snowy day.

I've really studied about gravity feed, and the only solution I can come up with is a rack at the top of the rise where the very first picture was shot from. I could get the local fire dept to fill a 500 gal tank, and run a hose to the house. The problem with gravity feed is not getting water OUT of a storage tank...It's Getting Water INTO the storage tanks. I can't catch roof water at a higher level than the roof. I don't have any wells or city water. I fill the blue barrels at my neighbors and then carry them in and put them in the racks. It's a lot easier if you've got 2 men to do it.
It looks like you have enough room for a shower stall, "from salvage", and the utility sink next to it.

Do you fill the wash sink barrels with a pump while running the generator?

Answered Above

Another thought: Hot shower water: I have a large stainless steel pot with a fuacet on it. It has regular pipe threads. I would pipe it with metal pipe to resist the heat from the stove or heating unit to a point where in would install an inline "Through Hull Pump 12 volt from West Marine about $40.00. www.westmarine.com This could pump hot water to the barrels by the bunks. You maybe able to find such a pot at a salvage yard that has used restaurant equipment. The propane unit would surley heat some water fast.

These Are some Ideas I'll look in to.

At a camping mail order place: www.campmor.com you can buy Camp Suds. It rinses off really fast and doesn't leave you feeling "soapy". You can wash body and clothes with it even in hard water. I showered with 3 gallons of water in the mountains of New Mexico. Wet body, shut off water, soap and rinse.

Maybe some of my thoughts will help. But it looks like you have done alot of thinking already.

Good Luck with your place. NJ Rich

Thanks for the ideas!

[Boleyz]

Originally Posted by ford major

Boleyz, i thought the first set of photos was great! i was wrong ,these show your cabin even better! now can you tell me how you can pry yourself away from the cabin to head back home? fishin' off the back porch?! next thing you'll be tellin is the deer come right up too the front porch with phesant every other day! and ramps and mushrooms just up the trail! little garden for taters , carrots and other vegys you'll be set! :baby04:

My life is pretty high-stress, and when I get out there (By myself a lot of times) I get the best, most restful sleep that I ever get. Sometimes I go out there just to rest. It truly is my Retreat. By the Way, I am visited by deer who drink at the pond nightly. So far, no shooters, but it's just a matter of time. No, I don't night hunt...I see em nearby in the early AM...

[Boleyz]

Originally Posted by jassytoo

Are the timbers just stacked on top of one another? I don't see any uprights in the wall. What did you calk it with? Its a great idea and looks good.

Yeah, they're stacked and nailed together with 6" pole barn nails. It's caulked with some regular log home chinking. I forgot the brand name, but just google "Log home building supplies" and go from there.

[jnap31]

WOW! Great job you have a great place there I hope you get to spend more time there. Really nice work....

[Boleyz]

I probably need to mention that my prices are about 6 years old. $5000.00 probably wouldn't go this far anymore. Still, if you by salvage and sawmill, I'd say it could be done for less than $10,000. The secret is keeping your eyes and ears open for deals. Also, If you're going it alone and slow like I did, bargains come up periodically.

[Oilpatch197]

What was the biggest cost?(besides the wood)

[Boleyz]

Originally Posted by Oilpatch197

What was the biggest cost?(besides the wood)

I'd say the trusses (2X6 trusses since they had to span 22'). I tend to overbuild, but I think the trusses were around $650.00. I put them every 2'.

[QBVII]

Very nice.

[NJ Rich]

Hello again,

If you can get the bottom of the outside water barrels 3 to 4 feet above the toilets tank's top you should be able to gravity feed the toilet. A pitch of only 3 to 6 inches should still provide a flow to the barrels from the gutter. I don't know how high your walls are but it looks as if you could make this work. You could use a bucket and hose set-up to make a test run without going to all the work of a new set-up. This may not give you the water flow you need but will let you know if this system is workable.

What ever you do, I like what you have already done and wish you all the best. You have worked hard to accomplish this much mostly by yourself. What a great job.

Happy Easter. The Lord is Risen!

[Qwispea]

Do you have blueprints, drawings, or sketches showing dimensions..?
I'd be very interested in something that I can use to follow along and do my own.

What are the foundation and flooring materials?

[MoonShine]

That's nice,Boleyz....beautiful place.

[mtman]

its a beautiful place you should be proud of all your hard work

[Boleyz]

Originally Posted by Qwispea

Do you have blueprints, drawings, or sketches showing dimensions..?
I'd be very interested in something that I can use to follow along and do my own.

What are the foundation and flooring materials?

The Blueprint was in my head...The floor measures 22X34. The cabin sits on 32 4X4 treated posts set in concrete. Probably not an eternal foundation, but it should out last me. Kids may have to do some jacking. So far it hasn't settled any that I can tell. It's about 6 years old.

The floor is some salvaged 3/4" particle board laid over sawmill poplar plank subfloor. I painted it with exterior deck paint...it's worked so far...

[Boleyz]

Originally Posted by NJ Rich

Hello again,

If you can get the bottom of the outside water barrels 3 to 4 feet above the toilets tank's top you should be able to gravity feed the toilet. A pitch of only 3 to 6 inches should still provide a flow to the barrels from the gutter. I don't know how high your walls are but it looks as if you could make this work. You could use a bucket and hose set-up to make a test run without going to all the work of a new set-up. This may not give you the water flow you need but will let you know if this system is workable.

What ever you do, I like what you have already done and wish you all the best. You have worked hard to accomplish this much mostly by yourself. What a great job.

Happy Easter. The Lord is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

I might see if I can make it work by catching the runoff from the cabin, instead of the cabin porch (which is lower than the cabin roof) (See picture 1)