Log Cabin/Man Cave
- Thread starter danza
- Start date
Right, base is being dug out today and poured tomorrow.
Currently have 3 x 1m³ bags of ballast and 300 kilos of cement flattening my already knackered front lawn and some rather large bits of reinforcing mesh on the drive.
Next step will be to order the cabin itself...
Currently have 3 x 1m³ bags of ballast and 300 kilos of cement flattening my already knackered front lawn and some rather large bits of reinforcing mesh on the drive.
Next step will be to order the cabin itself...
Yep, went for the £1k base. They seem to be doing everything the most expensive-quoting guy said he would do, except without the use of a mini digger.
Get yourself one for sure, mine will be my bolt hole when the three women I live with get hormonal!
Get yourself one for sure, mine will be my bolt hole when the three women I live with get hormonal!
Soldato
- Joined
- 13 May 2003
- Posts
- 9,177
It's a little known quirk of chemistry but cement/concrete won't actually set unless a cat has walked across it. Most builders keep one in a cage in their van for this reason.
^ I like that 
Right, cabin ordered. Went for:
http://www.summergardenbuildings.co.uk/products/log-cabins/log-cabin-11105462.html
Spec:
- 5.0 x 2.6m
- 600mm front projection
- Door on left hand side & hinged left hand side (viewed from outside)
- 70mm walls
- 28mm floor
- 19mm roof
- Felt shingles
- Custom height (will be a shade under 2.5m)
Delivery 6-8 weeks (advised it'll likely be the full 8).
I now need to look at insulation. Can anyone advise?
I plan to insulate between the floor bearers under the boards and on the inside of the roof boards (roof is lower priority as this can be done almost at any time).
The floor bearers are 70mm pressure treated, so based on this, what should I be doing in terms of insulation? I'm thinking 50mm Celotex, but not 100%. Should I consider a vapour barrier/DPM, and if so, were should this go (I've seen some people use DPM on the tops of the bearers)? How should the Celotex be fitted/fixed in place?
The same goes for the roof really, thinking 50mm Celotex between joists, but also concious that I will probably need to consider a vapour barrier. Where should this go, and what should I use?
An idea of layer-by-layer configuration would be good, as it currently stands, the cabin will have:
Floor:
- 150-200mm concrete base
- 70mm pressure treated floor bearers (insulation between)
- 28mm floor boards
Roof:
- 120mm joists
- 19mm roof boards
- Felt shingles
Any suggestions for insulation would be spiffing. Ta!
Right, cabin ordered. Went for:
http://www.summergardenbuildings.co.uk/products/log-cabins/log-cabin-11105462.html
Spec:
- 5.0 x 2.6m
- 600mm front projection
- Door on left hand side & hinged left hand side (viewed from outside)
- 70mm walls
- 28mm floor
- 19mm roof
- Felt shingles
- Custom height (will be a shade under 2.5m)
Delivery 6-8 weeks (advised it'll likely be the full 8).
I now need to look at insulation. Can anyone advise?
I plan to insulate between the floor bearers under the boards and on the inside of the roof boards (roof is lower priority as this can be done almost at any time).
The floor bearers are 70mm pressure treated, so based on this, what should I be doing in terms of insulation? I'm thinking 50mm Celotex, but not 100%. Should I consider a vapour barrier/DPM, and if so, were should this go (I've seen some people use DPM on the tops of the bearers)? How should the Celotex be fitted/fixed in place?
The same goes for the roof really, thinking 50mm Celotex between joists, but also concious that I will probably need to consider a vapour barrier. Where should this go, and what should I use?
An idea of layer-by-layer configuration would be good, as it currently stands, the cabin will have:
Floor:
- 150-200mm concrete base
- 70mm pressure treated floor bearers (insulation between)
- 28mm floor boards
Roof:
- 120mm joists
- 19mm roof boards
- Felt shingles
Any suggestions for insulation would be spiffing. Ta!
Yeah, those paw prints would drive me mad
Yep, I'm glad someone understands. My wife doesn't see a problem with them!
I will do my best to keep some kind of record going, although when I'm DIYing, I tend to keep my head down and forget to stop and take photos!
No, there's not any DPM in there.
I'll have to lay something down when I build. It seems that at least one way is to lay DPC around the perimeter, and then lay DPM over the joists (and fit insulation) before the floor goes down.
I'll probably fit some kind of flashing around the bottom edge of the cabin to prevent water running and puddling underneath also (may be overkill).
I'll have to lay something down when I build. It seems that at least one way is to lay DPC around the perimeter, and then lay DPM over the joists (and fit insulation) before the floor goes down.
I'll probably fit some kind of flashing around the bottom edge of the cabin to prevent water running and puddling underneath also (may be overkill).
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http://www.tuin.co.uk/blog/base-requirements-for-log-cabins/
Scroll down towards the bottom, it talks about adding DPM after the foundation has been laid, some good info on there
Scroll down towards the bottom, it talks about adding DPM after the foundation has been laid, some good info on there
Right, after some toing and froing regarding the design of the cabin, mainly down to the fact that the engineering drawings didn't show the overall height of the building (which obviously rang alarm bells) - I totalled up the individual component heights which would have put it at 2.56m - over the maximum 2.5m for permitted development. Went back to the company over this, they said they'd look into it.
Upshot is that the building is now one log lower and has a low door of about 5'10" (this should be fine - I'm used to ducking under things being 6'3"). There will be no issues with the internal space and smacking heads into beams etc., so all should be good. External ridge height approx. 2.45m.
A couple of pics:
I've got hold of a projector, set of speakers, an amp and will 'demote' my subwoofer from its seldom-used lounge position to the mancave.
Now I need to get my finger out and order a load of insulation, damp proofing, screws, preserver, stain and various other bits. I'll be using Gumtree extensively in the search for some free stuff - bed sofa/reclining chair etc. (I love free stuff).
Upshot is that the building is now one log lower and has a low door of about 5'10" (this should be fine - I'm used to ducking under things being 6'3"). There will be no issues with the internal space and smacking heads into beams etc., so all should be good. External ridge height approx. 2.45m.
A couple of pics:
I've got hold of a projector, set of speakers, an amp and will 'demote' my subwoofer from its seldom-used lounge position to the mancave.
Now I need to get my finger out and order a load of insulation, damp proofing, screws, preserver, stain and various other bits. I'll be using Gumtree extensively in the search for some free stuff - bed sofa/reclining chair etc. (I love free stuff).
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