Simple Solar Homesteading

[lamar5292]

Hi folks, I am new to the group but a long time off grid homesteader. I live in Utah at the foot of the high Uintah mountains in a solar cabin I designed and built myself. I use solar for power, a solar composting toilet I designed, solar water heater, and more... If you would like to see my cabin and maybe hear a folk song or to come by my website here:

http://www.freewebs.com/simplesolarhomesteading
LaMar

[Jerngen]

Thank you for sharing, loved the pictures!!

We're still in the planning stages ourselves. Love seeing/hearing the stories of those who are already doing it.

[saramark]

My mom keeps asking if I will build her something like this. She has access to family land, but cannot get a septic system or well done there. She has a brother across the road to get water from, and store it at her place. She is not able to climb stairs, but I would like to have the loft for storage and utilities. I was thinking 12*16 since I would have to build it here and have it capable of transport. I would build on 8*8 treated skids for ramp truck hauling.

mark

[lamar5292]

12x16 is a good size and I considered that as well but I found the 14x14 to have a little more elbow room for designing the house as 12 feet becomes a little narrow. If you place your loft floor at 7 feet you can get 7 feet of headroom in your loft without building special wall supports.
LaMar

[saramark]

I was thinking a built in bench for company to sit, that doubles as storage compartment. I have built this for my house and everyone fights over who gets to sit there, that is until we want to play a board game, which are all stored inside.
I would use a trailer for water tank, so it could be driven across the road instead of carried. I have an old trailer here that would work fine for that.
Dining for 4 would be plenty. She doesn't have much company but us, and we live 2 hours away. Also, building this would be one step closer to getting her to move to our place. We would like to take care of her as she is not well. She doesn't want to leave the area she calls home for 60 years now. Still, family around and free rent should hold some weight. I just want to make sure she is OK. I help with all her bills and my brothers both of which have more money and less kids, don't help at all. Maybe I could get one to give her enough that I could build something. I would do all the labor, after all I am a carpenter.

mark

[lamar5292]

Sounds like a great plan saramark. I desgned my cabin so I can use it as I get old and retire. The doors are all 3 feet wide for wheel chair access, and it has a walk in shower. I use an on demand water heater and propane for all applainces except the lights, tv etc. which is solar. Spend a litle extra on insulation upfront as that will save you money over time and make her very comfortable in winter. Good luck and contact me off line if you need any help.
LaMar
http://www.freewebs.com/simplesolarhomesteading

[saramark]

I plan on using vertical shiplap for siding, stained double coat. From the outside in would be shiplap, strapping, foamboard, framing, insulation between the framing(2*6) and then plastic and interior pine tongue and groove. I have access to mill #4 for 50 cents board foot. I can get this price for Tongue and groove and shiplap, also for flooring. I will buy standard framing and roll insulation.
I was thinking of metal roofing, since I have some on hand, and it would be lighter for transport. Would insulate the ceiling with faced bats on 2*6 framing. Then 3/4 plywood or OSB, then strapping and metal. I have not priced things out in this area, but will use good windows. Insulation and windows are the places I will not be cost conscious.
A question- With no well or septic, due to cost, she would like to haul water from a spring next door. Composting toilet would handle the humanure. She has always taken sponge baths, so no giant use of water there.
How should we heat this thing? I don't want her to have to carry wood. She wants gas heat. How much for a gas fridge, and can you do lights on gas, or should I think about a small solar setup? Any advice will be great. I was going to buy the book, but couldn't get my Paypal account to work. Maybe I will just send a check.

Mark

P.S. GREAT THREAD!!

[ericjeeper]

Originally Posted by saramark

I plan on using vertical shiplap for siding, stained double coat. From the outside in would be shiplap, strapping, foamboard, framing, insulation between the framing(2*6) and then plastic and interior pine tongue and groove. I have access to mill #4 for 50 cents board foot. I can get this price for Tongue and groove and shiplap, also for flooring. I will buy standard framing and roll insulation.
I was thinking of metal roofing, since I have some on hand, and it would be lighter for transport. Would insulate the ceiling with faced bats on 2*6 framing. Then 3/4 plywood or OSB, then strapping and metal. I have not priced things out in this area, but will use good windows. Insulation and windows are the places I will not be cost conscious.
A question- With no well or septic, due to cost, she would like to haul water from a spring next door. Composting toilet would handle the humanure. She has always taken sponge baths, so no giant use of water there.
How should we heat this thing? I don't want her to have to carry wood. She wants gas heat. How much for a gas fridge, and can you do lights on gas, or should I think about a small solar setup? Any advice will be great. I was going to buy the book, but couldn't get my Paypal account to work. Maybe I will just send a check.

Mark

P.S. GREAT THREAD!!

A few issues I see with your design. 2x6 rafters will not allow enough room for venting as well as enough insulation. I would use atleast an R 30 and that needs 8 inches of free space. Next thing. Your wall studs run up and down. So running your siding horizontal will force you to add horizontal blocking in order to have nailers. You could easily skin the hole unit with plywood.It will give you a lot of strength for the moving issues. Then you can glue and nail your vertical siding to it.OSB is pretty cheap currently.

[tamilee]

Originally Posted by lamar5292

Hi folks, I am new to the group but a long time off grid homesteader. I live in Utah at the foot of the high Uintah mountains in a solar cabin I designed and built myself. I use solar for power, a solar composting toilet I designed, solar water heater, and more... If you would like to see my cabin and maybe hear a folk song or to come by my website here:

http://www.freewebs.com/simplesolarhomesteading
LaMar

Hi Lamar;
I LOVE your little cabin. My house is 24' x 32' with a tin top and sleeping loft. DH and fil and me built it ourselves. It has withstood hurricanes and my ds, his friends and now my grandsons.
i'd love to go solar but can't afford it !
Thanks for the post!
tamilee

[lorian]

Thanks for sharing that. I loved your pic's and info.

[Peepsqueak]

This is really neat. I always wanted to build a log cabin.

[saramark]

running the siding vertically does require strapping, but it is a pretty small problem. I may sheathe with OSB and then strapping, then vertical siding. I really like the look of vertical shiplap. Good thought on the roof, don't know what I was thinking. I usually use 2*10 or 2*12 for roof like this.

mark