Logs to Lumber to Living
Photo: OSU Extension
By Steve Bowers, OSU Extension
What’s better than woodland ownership? How about living there? Or at least the opportunity for a secluded weekend. Whether it’s a primary residence or second home, utilization of resources, or resale value, building on your woodlands consists of a number of things you need to consider.
Among those are: permits, material costs (portable mills versus big box stores), design features, amenities (water, septic, electricity), optional accessories (ponds, docks, decks, fire pits ...make it your own), and access/liability (roads, gates, fire, safety features).
To get you started, I prepared a slide show that highlights many of these topics and outlines all the things you’ll need to plan for to build a cabin in your woods. View the PDF file here: Cabin in the Woods.pdf.
We have also made available a program that assists you in determining how big of a timber you’ll need if/when you incorporate that open-beam ceiling: a cornerstone in any upscale cabin. You can download this spreadsheet that can help with design specs:
http://knowyourforest.org/sites/default/files/documents/WWPA_Beams-Joists.xls
If you have any questions, please write to me: steve.bowers@oregonstate.edu.
Ridge Runner, April 2017
What’s better than woodland ownership? How about living there? Or at least the opportunity for a secluded weekend. Whether it’s a primary residence or second home, utilization of resources, or resale value, building on your woodlands consists of a number of things you need to consider.
Among those are: permits, material costs (portable mills versus big box stores), design features, amenities (water, septic, electricity), optional accessories (ponds, docks, decks, fire pits ...make it your own), and access/liability (roads, gates, fire, safety features).
To get you started, I prepared a slide show that highlights many of these topics and outlines all the things you’ll need to plan for to build a cabin in your woods. View the PDF file here: Cabin in the Woods.pdf.
We have also made available a program that assists you in determining how big of a timber you’ll need if/when you incorporate that open-beam ceiling: a cornerstone in any upscale cabin. You can download this spreadsheet that can help with design specs:
http://knowyourforest.org/sites/default/files/documents/WWPA_Beams-Joists.xls
If you have any questions, please write to me: steve.bowers@oregonstate.edu.
Ridge Runner, April 2017