Compact Cabins: Simple Living in 1000 Square Feet or Less

COMPACTCABINS

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LIBRARYOFCONGRESSCATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATIONDATA

Rowan,Gerald.Compactcabins/byGeraldRowan.p.cm.

Includesindex.ISBN978-1-60342462-2(pbk.:alk.paper)1.Logcabins—Designandconstruction.2.Logcabins—Designsandplans.I.Title.

TH4840.R6872010

728.7’3—dc22

2009028677

http://www.storey.com

COMPACTCABINSSimpleLivingin1,000SquareFeetorLess

byGeraldRowan

INTRODUCTIONGoodLivinginSmallSpaces

ONE50DesignsforCompactCabins

TWODesign:Architecture,Logistics,Environment

THREEAModularApproachtoCabinDesign

FOURUsingManufacturedStructuralComponents

FIVEGettingtheMostfromBuildingMaterials

SIXCompact&EfficientUtilities&Appliances

SEVENEnergyIndependence

INDEXIncludingAlphabeticalListingofPlans

INTRODUCTION:GOODLIVINGINSMALLSPACES

MOSTOFUSDREAMOFHAVINGASMALLPLACEONALAKE,INTHEMOUNTAINS,ONTHESHORE,INTHEWOODS,OREVENINOURBACKYARD.SOMEDREAMOFAPLACEFORPRIVACYANDSOLITUDE.

Somedreamofaplacetomakeartorwrite.Somedreamofaplaceforfishing,gettingoutinnature,orsimplyspendingtimewithfriendsandfamily.

Onegiantimpedimenttoowningacabinisthecostofbuildingone.Anexcellentwaytocontrolthatcostistobuildsmall.Infact,buildingsmalloffersanumberofadvantages:lowercost,lowerimpactontheenvironment,reduceduseofbuildingmaterials,reducedbuildingtime,andlessmaintenance.

Oneinherentproblemwithbuildingsmalliscreatingspacethatiscomfortabletoliveinandmeetsourneeds.Gooddesigncankeepthecostsandenvironmentalimpacttoaminimumandstillcreatecomfortablelivingspace.Andthatisthefocusofthisbook.Theideaspresentedhereareintendedforfolkswhowanttohaveahandindesigningtheirownsmallcabininordertocreateaspacethatfitstheirneedsinasimpler,moreaffordable,moreecologicalway.

Somefolksobjecttotheideaoflivinginasmallspace,andtheyhaveapoint:acramped,crowdedspacewouldmakeanyonefeelabitclaustrophobic.Butinawell-designedspace,smalldoesnotmeancramped.Gooddesignimbuesevenasmallspacewithamplelightandventilation,enoughroomforpeopletomoveabouteasily,comfortablefurnishings,andalltheamenitiesthathomedwellersrequiretoenjoycabinlife.

Thefiftycabinplansinchapter1runthegamutfromjustmorethan150squarefeettojustunder1,000squarefeet.Eachcabin’sdesignmakesthemostofitssizetooffercomfortableliving,working,andsleepingquarters—inshort,goodlivinginasmallspace.

Eachdesignisdetailedasafloorplanandanelevation,andyoushouldfeelfreetomixandmatchfloorplansandelevations.Asageneralrule,floorplansareaboutergonomics,orpeoplespace.Elevationsaregenerallyaboutdesignor

style.Anycabinfloorplanmayhaveadozendifferentelevationsandrooflinesthatwouldworkwithit,justasanyelevationmayhavealargenumberoffloorplansthatwouldworkwellwithit.Eachwillimpartaverydifferentsenseofstyle.

Manyofthecabindesignscontainelementsthatcanbeselectivelyappliedtootherdesigns.Forexample,theoutdoorfreestandingfireplacedesignedforonecabin’sporchwouldworkequallywellonanotherdesign’sporch.Theoutdoorstoragelockerofonecabincouldeasilybeconvertedtothenervecenterofasolar-electricsystemforanotheroff-the-gridcabin.

Designdoesn’tendwithafloorplanandelevation.Theremainingchaptersaddresstheelementsoftheplansyou’llseeinchapter1,fromoff-the-gridpowersystemstoappliancechoices,premanufacturedstructuralcomponents,ecologicalbuildingchoices,andspace-saving(orspace-enhancing)designfeatures.Allthesecabinelementsplayaroleinthedesignofacabinthatworksbestforyou.

Designingacabinasaseriesofmodulescangreatlyfacilitatethebuildingprocess,anditmakesfutureexpansionsimple.Chapter3discussesthemodularconceptinmoredetail.Thereyou’llfindmodulesforkitchens,baths,livingspaces,bedrooms,porchesanddecks,andcombinationsofallofthese.Suchmodulescanbestrungtogethertoproduceavarietyofcabinsizesandlayouts.Amodularplanallowsyoutobuildastartermoduleandliveinitasyouconstructtherestofthecabin.

Thoughthisbookoffersmanydesignideasandplans,ifyouarenotabuilderorarchitect,youwillneedtoworkwithonetocreateadetailedbuildingplan.Youwillalsoneedtoconsultwithyourlocalbuildingdepartmenttomakesurethatyourplansconformtolocalbuildingandzoningcodes.

Somepeopledreamoftheultimatecabin,onethathaseverycomfort;somedreamofaminimalistcabindeepinthewoods.Mostofusdreamsomewhereinbetween.Whateveryourdream,knowthatyoucanlivewellinasmallspace.Ihopethisbookwillhelpyougetthere.

50DESIGNSFORCOMPACTCABINS

YOU’LLFINDHEREFIFTYINNOVATIVECABINDESIGNSTOSUITANYSITE,BUDGET,ORLIFESTYLE,ALLINLESSTHAN1,000SQUAREFEET.

CompactDefinitionsIndesignsthatfollow,thetermmicroreferstocabinsthatarelessthan300squarefeet.Thetermminireferstocabinsthatarebetween300and500squarefeet.Alltherestareconsideredsimplycompact.

Theyarearrangedbysize,fromthesmallesttothelargest,withthesquarefootagedeterminedbyenclosedspace(notincluding,forexample,openporchesordecks).SomearenamedafterstateparksandnaturalfeaturesinmynativePoconosregion,whileothershavemoreprosaicnamesbasedontheirnotablefeatures.Eachcabiniscompleteuntoitself,butthefeaturesofanycabincouldbecombinedwiththefeaturesofotherstocreatenewdesigns.

Eachdesignnotesthenumberofpeopleitwillsleepandthesizeofthekitchenandbathroom.

Kitchens:Afullkitchencontainsafour-burnerrange,a10-to14-cubic-footrefrigerator,andasink.Athree-quarterkitchencontainsatwo-orthree-burnerrange,an8-to10-cubic-footrefrigerator,andasink.Ahalfkitchencontainsatwo-burnerrange,a3-to8-cubic-footrefrigerator,andasink.

Bathrooms:Afullbathroomcontainsashoweroveratub,afull-sizedtoilet,andasink.Athree-quarterbathroomcontainsashower,atoilet,andasink.Ahalfbathcontainsatoiletandashowerandsharesasinkwiththekitchen.Sleepingaccommodationsarelistedasfull-sizedbed,Murphybed,daybed,

bunkbed,singlebed,pulloutsofa,orfoldingdinette.Thefloorplansaretothescaleof inch=1foot.Withtheuseofan

architect’sscale(availableatdraftingorartsupplystores),youcantakemeasurementsfromtheminordertoincorporateideasintoyourowndesigns.

MICROCABINThistinycabinisbasedonideasgleanedfromthetraveltrailerindustrytoutilizespaceveryefficiently.Inacabinthissmall,electricspaceheatmakessense.

Features

162squarefeet

Halfkitchen

Halfbath

Sleeps2

UtilizesRVcomponents

Adaptabletobeingoffthegrid

PERSONALCABINThiscabinisjusttherightsizeforapersonalretreat.Withtheadditionofbunkbedsitbecomesagetawayfortwo.Thisdesigncallsforasmallwoodstove;ifyouintendtousethecabinasonlyathree-seasonretreat,anelectricspaceheaterwouldworkwell.

Features

200squarefeet

Three-quarterkitchen

Halfbath

Sleeps1or2


MICROCABINWITHOUTDOORCLOSETAroomyoutdoorclosetcanbeusefulifyouhavealotoffishing,hunting,boating,orothergeartostore.Italsocanhouseasizablebatteryarrayforasolar-electricsystem.

Features

240squarefeet

Halfkitchen

Halfbath

Sleeps2

UtilizesRVcomponents


ENDLESSMOUNTAINSMICROCABINThiscabinisaperfectgetawayfortwo,andwhenthecouchispulledout,itcansleepanadditionaltwoguests.Foracabinthissmalltheheatingoptionsaremany:thedesigncallsforgas-firedspaceheating,butelectricspaceheating,ahotwatercirculationsystem(seepage196),orasmallwoodstovewouldalsoworkwell.

Features

250squarefeet

Halfkitchen

Three-quarterbath

Sleeps2to4


MICROCLERESTORYCABINAtjust256squarefeet,thiscabinhassomesurprisingamenities,includingafullkitchenandbath.Thebankofclerestorywindowsallowslightintothecenterandalsoprovidesnaturalventilation.

Features

256squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps2to4


HIGHKNOBCABINAcabinwithallthetraditionalamenities.Thefireplaceprovidesheatandtheromanceofaroaringfireoncoldevenings.

Features

270squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps2to6

Fireplace


PORCHLIFEMICROCABINAperfectgetaway.Theenclosedporchfunctionsasathree-seasonroom,withlargebanksofwindowsthat,iforientedtothesouth,canactaspassivesolarcomponents,keepingtheporchwarmenoughtoenjoyincoldweather.

Features

280squarefeet


Halfbath

Sleeps2to4


BAERROCKSCABINThiscabinworkswellinsteepbuildingsites,suchasalongthebankofastreamorriver.Itsdimensionslendthemselvestooffsitebuilding;themainunitofthecabincanbetraileredin,andthedeckbuilton-site.

Features

288squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps2or3

Workswellinasteepbuildingsite

Canbebuiltoffsiteandtraileredin


CLASSICSIXTIESA-FRAMETraditionalA-framecabinshaveaninherentinteriorspaceproblem.Toovercomethatproblem,givingthecabinplentyofusablefloorspace,thisdesignaddsasheddormerononesideanddesignatestheothersideforstorage.

Features

288squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Three-quarterbath

Sleeps2


MICROCABINWITHLOFTBasedonthe12-foot-squaremodulesdescribedinchapter2,thiscabiniscompactbutoffersallthenecessaryamenities.Theloft,accessedbyaship’sladder,givessomeprivacytothesleepingspace.Spaceheatingisaccomplishedthroughtheuseofacatalyticgasheater.Inacabinthissmall,electricspaceheatwouldalsomakesense.

Features

288squarefeet

Halfkitchen

Halfbath

Sleeps2


SOLAR-POWEREDMICROCABINDesignedforanoff-the-gridapplication,thiscabinreliesonsolarpowerforelectricityandwaterheating.Thewoodstoveprovidesheatincolderweather.

Features

290squarefeet

Halfkitchen

Halfbath

Sleeps2or3

Designedtobeoffthegrid

MINICLERESTORYCABINTheroofdesignofthiscabinaccommodatesclerestorywindows,whichallowlightdeepwithinthecabinandprovidenaturalventilation,easingoreliminatingtheneedforairconditioning.

Features

312squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps2

Screenedporch


ADIRONDACKTWIGCABINTwigcabinsareclassicAdirondackstyle.Materialstobuildthiscabinmaybegatheredon-site;anytreescuttomakespaceforthecabincanberecycledaspartofthetwigarchitecture.Thecabin’sappealiscompletelyrustic,yetithousesafullmodernkitchenandbathroom.

Features

323squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps4to6

Fireplace

GREATOUTDOORSMINICABINIftheoutdoorlifeisyourthing,thiscabindesignisanexcellentchoice.Forcookingoutdoors,itoffersanexpansiveporchcompletewithanoutsidefireplace.Andifyoumakeuseofallthesleepingoptions,itsleepsuptosevenpeople.

Features

325squarefeet


Three-quarterbath

Sleeps2to7

Outdoorfireplace


PIKECOUNTYCLASSICCABINPikeCountyisoneoftherockiestplacesinthestateofPennsylvania,andprobablyinthecountry,thankstothelastgreatglacier,whichleftbehindanabundanceofroundedriverrock.Cabinshereareoftenbuiltfromtheverystonethatisclearedtomakeroomtobuildthem.Stoneisanidealbuildingmaterialfordampplacesorwhereitisreadilyavailableandthereforeinexpensive.

Features

340squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps4to6


FOUR-SEASONMINICABINWithcentralheataswellasahugefireplace,thiscabinisacozyyear-roundretreat.Theloftgivessomeprivacytothesleepingaccommodationsandallowsthefirstfloortohaveanopenstretchoffloorspace.

Features

348squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps2

Fireplace


LOYALSOCKCABINThiscabinoffersalotinjustmorethan350squarefeet,includingafullbathandfullkitchen.Theoutdoorstoragelockerisroomy,abletoaccommodatebulkygearforhunting,boating,orotheroutdooractivities.Itsfullstructuralframework,ifcoupledwithastrongdoorandlock,allowsittobeasecurestoragesite.

Features

352squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps2or3

Outsidestoragelocker


WOODSCABININTHEROUNDThissemicircularcabinisdesignedtoallowformaximumviewoftheoutdoors.Thiscabincanbeorientedtofacesouthandcapturethesunforpassivesolarheating.

Features

353squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Three-quarterbath

Sleeps2to4


OHIOPYLECABINThiscabinworkswellalongariverbankorstream.Thepierssupportthestructurewellofftheground,protectingitfromhighspringwaterandallowingittostaydryindampconditions.

Features

369squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps2to6


TRAILER-WIDECABINJusttherightsizeforamodularhometrailerframe,thiscabinisdesignedtobebuiltoffsiteandtruckedtothebuildingsite.Narrowcabinslikethisoneareidealforlakesidesites,wherethelotstendtobelonganddeepbutnotverywide.

Features

372squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps2



NARROWDIMENSIONS:allowthehometobebuiltoffsiteonamodularhometrailerframe,then

truckedintothebuildingsite.

ROUNDHOUSECABINAroundcabin—howunique!Curvedcementblocksareavailableforbuildingcisternsandfarmsilosandadaptwelltobuildingroundcabins.Thisdesigncallsforacustom-builtcurvedsofaandfold-uptabletomakethemostoftheinteriorspace.

Features

380squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps2


LAKESIDEMINICABINTobelakesideinthesummer!Thisdesignlendsitselfwelltothetypicallynarrowwidthoflakesidelots.Theangledfrontprovidesforaviewofthewater.

Features

382squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps2to4


WEDGECABINThisminicabinhasthefeelofamuchlargerone.Itfeaturesanunusuallylargeamountofglass,makingitfeellightandairy.Itcanbeorientedtowardagreatviewortowardthesouthforpassivesolarheating.

Features

384squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Three-quarterbath

Sleeps2to4

Fireplace


FURNACECREEKCABINThis399-square-footcabinhassomesurprisingamenities,includingafull-sizedkitchenandbathandaprivatebedroom.Cabinloverswhoalsoappreciatetheamenitiesofhomewillenjoythisdesign.

Features

399squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps2or3

Fireplace


TRAILERABLEMINICABINDesignedtobebuiltoffsiteandtruckedtothecabinsite,thisminicabincanbebuiltasawinterproject—perhapsbythewholefamily—andenjoyedduringthesummer.Theshallowrooflinewon’tinterferewithelectricalwiresduringtransportation.

Features

408squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps2to6



NARROWDIMENSIONS:allowthecabintobetraileredtothebuildingsiteandareidealforthetypicallynarrowlakesidelots.

LITTLEPINECREEKCABINFishingisallthemorefunwithacomfortablecabinwaitingattheendoftheday.Thisclassicfishingcabinisidealforasmallfamilyoracoupleoffishingbuddies.Thefireplaceprovidesheatingandtheambienceofaroaringfireoncoldevenings.

Features

414squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps2to4

Fireplace


RICKETSGLENCABINThisminicabindesignfeaturesacathedralceilingframedononesidewithbanksofoverheadwindows,allowingtheinteriortofeelspaciousandbright.Morewindowscouldeasilybeaddedtothedeckwall,helpingthecabinfeelevenmoreopentotheoutside.

Features

432squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps2to4

Fireplace


GLASSHOUSECABINThedesignofthiscabinlendsitselftotheusuallynarrowdimensionsoflakesidelots.Theglassfrontisequippedwithpatioslidingdoorstoincreasetheview.

Features

434squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps2to4

Designedforpassivesolarheating

MODIFIEDA-FRAMECABINA-framecabinstypicallyhaveusable-spaceproblems,sincetheroofmeetstheflooratanangle.Thisdesignmodifiestherooflineononesidetoexpandtheusablespace,helpingtheinteriorfeelopenratherthancramped.

Features

448squarefeet


Three-quarterbath

Sleeps2


TWO-STORYLAKESIDECABINThistwo-storycabinisdesignedwithasmallfootprinttofitnarrowlakesidelots.Itofferstheluxuryofaqueen-sizedbedinthesecond-floorbedroom,whichisaccessedbyanelegantsquaredspiralstaircase.

Features

450squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Three-quarterbath

Sleeps2to4

Twofullstories


YURTCABINPatternedafterthedomedtentsfavoredbynomadsofcentralAsia,thisroundcabinisbuiltondeckfoundationandfeaturesaskylightatitsapex.Itswallpanelscanbebuiltoffsiteandthentruckedinandassembled.

Features

452squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Three-quarterbath

Sleeps2or3

Canbebuiltpartiallyoffsiteandtraileredin

POCONOPINESCABINThisdesignisidealforaweekendcabin.Contemporarydesignconceptsmakeitfeelandfunctionlikeamuchbiggercabin.Designedforalocationwithagreatview,oneofthewallsofthelivingspaceincorporatesthreepatioslidingdoorsthatopentothedeck.

Features

455squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps2to4

Fireplace


QUONSETCABINTheQuonsetisback!AQuonsethutconstructedontopofalowmasonryorframewallisafastwaytobuildacabin.Thisdesignisbasedonatraditional15-foot-wideQuonsethut,butitiseasilyadaptabletootherQuonset-hut-likebuildings.

Features

480squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps2to4

Utilizesone15-foot-wideQuonsethut

OPEN-LIVINGMINICABINThiscabinisbasedonanopenspaceconcept,makingitfunctionlikeamuchlargercabin.Separatingthetwobedswiththebathroomofferseachadegreeofprivacy.

Features

485squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps4to6

JEAN’SRUNCABINThiscabinsleepssixpeopleinjustmorethan500squarefeet.TheMurphybedanddiningtablebothcanbefoldedupagainstthewalltoincreasetheusableinteriorspace,whiletheloftisaccessiblebyanarrow-profileship’sladder.

Features

501squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Three-quarterbath

Sleeps4to6


PINECREEKCABINBasedonthesaltboxhousesfoundinNewEngland,thiscabindesignfeaturesanopensleepingloftthatoverlooksthelivingspace,accessibleviaasetofsteepstairs.Sincewarmairrises,verylittleheatisneededtokeepoccupantswarmatnight.

Features

502squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Three-quarterbath

Sleeps2to4


ACABINFORTWO

Acabinwithaspatub?Absolutely.Withtheadditionofafireplaceandafull-sizedsleepingnookcompletewithbuilt-ins,itisaromanticretreatfortwo—thoughitalsooffersaccommodationsforguestsorkidswithapulloutsofa.

Features

513squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps2to4

Fireplace


FIREPLACECABINWhodoesn’tliketositaroundafireonacoolevening?Thefocalpointofthiscabinisthemassivestonefireplace,whichanchorsthelivinganddiningspaceandisframedbybanksofwindows.

Features

570squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps2to4

Fireplace


SPRINGCREEKCABINThiscabinofferstheprivacyofaseparatebedroom;incombinationwiththepulloutsofa,itcanaccommodatetwocouples.Theglassoftheentrancedoorwalloffersagoodviewoftheoutdoorsfromthelivingarea.Orientingthesewindowstothesouthwouldallowthemtocontributetopassivesolarheating.

Features

576squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps2to4


CLERESTORYCABINWITHDININGROOMThisclassicclerestorydesignemploysamassivefieldstonefireplaceforspaceheating.Unlikemostotherplans,italsofeaturesaseparatediningspace,perfectforcabinownerswhoappreciateagoodsit-downmeal.

Features

584squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps3to6

Fireplace


SUNROOMCABINThecentralsunroomofthiscabincreatespassivesolarheating—andpossiblyagreatview.Italsoaddsflexibleadditionallivingspaceconnectedtotherestofthecabinbypatioslidingdoors.

Features

594squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps2or3


BAJACABINThisdesignfeaturestwoprivatebedroomsseparatedfromtherestofthelivingspacebyasunroom.Thesunroomitselfisaflexiblespace,abletoaccommodateanotherpulloutsofaforadditionalsleepingspace.

Features

600squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps4or5


POCONOSCABINWithafeelmorelikethatofahousethanacabin,thisdesignoffersaprivatesleepingfloorcompletewithitsownhalfbath.Thefirstfloorhasroomforalargediningtableandsectionalsofa,makingitanicespotforhangingoutevenonarainyday.

Features

616squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Oneandahalfbaths

Sleeps2to4


ENDLESSMOUNTAINVIEWCABINMostofthewindowsinthisdesignaregroupedononeside,withthepurposeoffocusingtheviewfromtheinsideonaparticularlygoodvista.Orientingthatwalltofacesouthwouldalsoyieldpassivesolarheating.

Features

622squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Three-quarterbath

Sleeps4to6

Adaptableforpassivesolarheating


GLASS-FRONTBEACHHOUSEThelivingspaceofthiscabinis,essentially,aglassed-inroom.Thewallsofwindowsofferagreatview,andorientingthewindowstothesouthcanaddpassivesolarheating.Thisisanidealapplicationforthebeachoralongalakefront.

Features

650squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps2to4

Adaptableforpassivesolarheating


THECLASSICThisdesignoffersalltheclassiccabinfeatures,suchasafireplace,privatebedrooms,andacompactbutfullkitchenandbathroom.Italsofeaturesaspatub,arealpleasureafteralongdayofflyfishinginacoldstreamorhikinginthewoods.

Features

680squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps4to6

Fireplace


DOUBLE-DECKERBEACHHOUSEThislong,narrowlayoutisidealfortypicallynarrowlotsfoundalongbeachesorlakefronts.Thedesignalsooffersagreatviewfromdecksonboththelivingandsleepinglevels.

Features

700squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Oneandahalfbaths

Sleeps4to6


LAURELMOUNTAINCABINThiscabinhasaglassed-inporchaccessiblefromthelivingspacethroughapatioslidingdoor.Thissetupoffersagreatviewoftheoutdoorsfromthemainlivingarea.Iforientedtothesouth,italsoallowspassivesolarheating.

Features

703squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps2to5

Fireplaceinsert



FAMILYCABINThelayoutofthisdesignismorelikethatofasmallhousethanacabin.Itincorporatesafullkitchenandbathroom,agreatroomwithfireplace,andsleepingaccommodationsforuptosixpeopleintwoprivatebedroomsandonapulloutsofa.Pocketdoorsinthebedroomsofferprivacywithouttakingupvaluablespace.

Features

740squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps4to6

Fireplace


POCONOWOODSCABINThespaciouslivingspacemakesthiscabincomfortableforextendedstays.Atitscenterisagreatroomwithawood-burningstove,withopenviewsouttheadjacentglassdoors.Italsofeaturesaprivatesleepingfloorcompletewithfullbath.

Features

840squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Oneandahalfbaths

Sleeps2to4


DESIGN:ARCHITECTURE,LOGISTICS,ENVIRONMENT

GOODDESIGNISESSENTIALFORGOODLIVINGINANYSPACE,BUTITISESPECIALLYIMPORTANTINASMALLSPACE.

Inmanycontexts,thetermdesignmeansthearchitectureofastructureorthelayoutofitsfurnishings.Butgooddesignisnotlimitedtohowacabinlooks.Instead,itconsiderseveryaspectofthebuilding,fromthefoundationtothefurnishingstothefuelsupply.Becausesomanyfactorsmustbeconsidered,thebestapproachistoallowadesigntoevolveovertime.Agoodruletofollowistodesignearly,designoften,andlivewithyourideasforaperiodoftimebeforeundertakingconstruction.

Thesideofmyrefrigeratorfacesintomydining/livingroom.IstickideasI’mworkingwithupontherefrigerator(onacorkbulletinboard)andlivewiththemforawhile.EachtimeIpassbythem,Ireacttothemandoftenchangearrangements.WhenIgetafloorplanthathasbeenupforseveralweekswithoutchanges,I’msatisfiedthatitisthebestsolution.

Inthischapter,you’llfindadiscussionontheconcernscommontoanysmallcabindesign.Yourparticulardesignwillhaveitsownconsiderations,ofcourse,dependingonwhereyouintendtobuildit,howyouintendtobuildit,andhowyouintendtouseit.Takethetimetogetfamiliarwitheveryaspectofthedesignandbuildingprocess.Livewithideasforawhile.Visitthesiteoftenwithyourlatestdesignideasonpaper.Talktoarchitects,builders,andcontractors.Talktofriendsorrelativeswhohavecabins.Getthewholefamilyinontheprocess.Startlookingforservicesintheareaofthecabin:excavators,buildingcontractors,sewerandsepticcontractors,welldrillers,cementcontractors,buildingsuppliers,plumbingsuppliers,electricians,andsoon.Startpricingmaterialsandservicestogetanideaofthebudgetyouwillneed.Askalotofquestions.

NEED-BASEDDESIGN

Ask,Ask,andAskAlittletale:IhaveafriendwithwhomItraveloccasionally.Shehastraveledallovertheworldfor

thepast20years.WewererecentlyinJapan.Eightcitiesandsevenhotelsin15days;notoncewerewelostordidwemissatravelconnection.ShedidbusinessandIsawalotofart,architecture,andJapaneseculture.Iwalkedaroundthosecitiesformostofeveryday.Weusedeveryformoftransportationexceptrickshaw.Oursecretwastoaskalotofquestions—really,alotofquestions.OutsideofTokyo,veryfewpeoplespeakEnglish.WespokealmostnoJapanese.Ifindpeopleeverywhereintheworldtobeveryhelpful.SoIpolitelyasked,andtheydidtheirbesttounderstandandanswermyquestions.Themoralofthistale:Ask,ask,andask!

Don’tbeafraidtoaskquestionsofbuilders,contractors,andsuppliers—noquestionisevertoodumbtoask.Anddon’tbeafraidtoaskforhelp—mostpeoplearehappytosharetheirexpertise.

Thetermneed-baseddesignmeans,appropriately,designbasedonyourspecificneeds.Need-baseddesigntendstokeeptheoverallsizeofacabintoaminimumbecauseitmakesveryclearwhatisessentialandwhatisnot.Tobegin,tryansweringthequestionsbelow:

Howmanypeoplewillthecabinneedtoaccommodate?Astheplansinthisbookshow,evenasmallcabincanaccommodateupwardof12peopleifyoudesignforthatcapacityfromthestart.

Howlongdoyouplantostayatthecabin?Ifyouintendtouseitprimarilyforonlyacoupleofdaysatatime,youmaybehappywithagalleykitchenwithadorm-sizedrefrigerator,athree-quarterbath,andminimalstorage.Ifyouplantostayforaweekormoreatatime,you’llprobablywantafullrefrigeratorandpossiblyafreezer,alongwithafullbathandmorestorageforextragearandclothing.

Howdoyouintendtousethecabin?Ifit’sahuntingcabin,you’llwantaplacetohangmuddyorwetclothingandgearandpossiblyasecuregunrack.Ifit’sanartist’sretreat,you’llwantspaceinwhichtoworkandstorageforyourmaterialsofchoice.Andifit’safamilyvacationcabin,youmaywantdesignatedkid-sizedsleepingaccommodationsandplayspaceforrainydays.

Inwhatseasonswillyouusethecabin?Ifyouintendtouseitincolderweather,you’llneedtoprovideforheatandinsulation.Inveryhotweatheryou’llwanttobesuretohavegoodventilationandairflow.

Willyourneedschangeovertime?Forethoughtandgooddesignareacabinbuilder’sleastexpensiveandmostvaluableresources.Anempty-nestcouplemaydreamofasmallcabininthewoods,farawayfromtheirchildren.But

naturehasawayofaddingtoafamilyovertime,andintimethatsamecouplewhowantedtobealoneonweekendsmightnotbeabletobearbeingpartedfromtheiradorablegrandchildren.Withgoodplanning,youcanproduceasmallcabinthatcanbeexpandedovertimetomeetpossiblefutureneeds.Afullkitchenandbathroominsuchasmallcabinmightseemunnecessaryatfirst,butwhenthreelovelygrandchildrenarebouncingaroundtheplace,thoseitemsarenecessities.Itisfarlessexpensivetodesignandbuildthefullkitchenandbathfortheoriginalsmallcabinthantodemolishanexistingsmallkitchenandhalfbathinordertoaddfull-sizedoneslater.(Buildingthecabinasaseriesofmodules,asdescribedinchapter3,canallowthestructuretogrowasfamilyneedschange.)

LOCALBUILDINGCODESLocalordinancesareacontrollingfactorincabindesign.Cedarshakesforroofingandsidingmaynotbeallowedinareaspronetoforestfires.Someareasdemandthatcabinsbeequippedwithsolidwoodwindowshuttersthatcanbeclosedandlockedforsecuritywhenthecabin’snotinuse.(Thereareareaswherethelocalcottageindustryisbreakingintocabinsintheoff-season.)Someareaswillallowouthouses,othersdemandcompostingtoilets,yetothersrequireaflushtoiletwithseptictankanddrainfield.Beforeyougettoofaralonginyourcabindesign,besuretocheckwithyourlocalbuildingdepartmenttodeterminewhat,ifany,localordinanceswillapplytoyourconstruction.And,ofcourse,you’llneedtohaveyourplansapprovedbythelocalbuildingdepartmentbeforeyoucommenceconstruction.

AESTHETICCONCERNSStyleisimportantindesigningacabinthatyoucanbehappywithovertime.Acabindesigntranslatedintotwigarchitecturehasaverydifferentaestheticfromthesamecabindesigndoneinchromeandstainlesssteel.Pinkcorrugatedasphaltroofingimpartsadistinctsenseofstyle;cedarshakesimpartaverydifferentsenseofstyle.Alogcabincanbringoutthe“Lincoln-ness”inallofus.Hereyouarelimitedonlybyyourpersonaltaste.

Trytoemploysomeveryinexpensivewaystowindow-shopforaestheticanddesignideas.Anafternoonatalocalbookstorewithalatte,lookingoverahandfulofarchitectureandinteriordesignmagazines,canbeausefulwaytogetideas.PackyourdigitalcameraandtakeaSundayafternoondrivearoundyourfavoritelakeoralongapleasantriver,anditwillrevealanumberofbeautifulcabinswithdesignelementsyoumightwanttoborrow.Ifyou’reluckyenough

toseetheowners,alittleflatterywillprobablygetyouinsideforpictures,too.Asktheownerswhattheylikeanddon’tlikeabouttheircabinandwhattheywouldchange.Usephoto-editingsoftwaretocutandpastefeaturesfromonecabinphototoanother,orstartascrapbook.

LOCATION

LocalWildlifeIfyoutakethetimeupfronttoconsiderthepotentialinteractionsbetweenyourcabinandlocalwildlife,you’llthankyourselflater.Acabinlocatednexttoa6,000-acrebogmayneedawell-screenedporchtoseparatemosquitoesfrompeople.Inbearcountry,animal-proofingacabinmaybeanecessity.AcabinIonceownedsufferedfromporcupines;theygnawedoneveryinchofexposedwoodnotprotectedbyanarmorofsmallnails.

Insomeareas,insectdamagetostructuresmaybeaproblem.Inwarmerclimates,forexample,anywoodincontactwiththegroundbecomesasuperhighwayforinsectstoenterthestructure.Cabinsbuiltininsect-proneareasneedtobeelevatedoffthegroundoneitherpiersortallfooters.Piersandfooterskeepthelumberofthecabinoffthegroundandalsoallowaircirculation.Insects,mold,andmildewlovedark,dampplaces.Elevatingacabinhelpssolvealloftheseproblems.

Thetopographyofthebuildingsitedictatesthedesignparametersofthecabin.Forexample,lakesidelotstendtobeverynarrow,andsomostfolksbuildingonsuchlotswantacabinthatisnarrowbutlong.Acabincantileveredoutfromarockyoutcroponamountainridgedemandsadifferentkindofconsideration.Areaspronetofloodingorneartheoceandictatethatcabinsarebuiltonstiltsinsteadoffoundations.

Thelocalclimatealsoinfluencesdesignconsiderations.Warmclimatesallowforlargewindowsandplentyofventilation.Inatropicalclimate,onlyroofingandafewinteriorwallsmaybenecessary.Coldclimatesdemandsmallerwindows,thickinsulation,andasourceofheat.Inwarmweather,youmayenjoyhavingadeckoraporch.Decksarewonderfulinshadylocalesorwhensteadybreezesareavailable,butthosesetindirectsuncanbakeyou.Adeepporchcanprotectacabin’slivingspacefromthesun,butyou’llneedtositeitappropriatelysoitdoesn’tblockthesunfromheatingthecabinincolderwinterweather.

Climatemayalsodictateyourchoiceofbuildingmaterials.Inahot,moist,tropicalclimate,masonryconstructionisnecessary.Inmostclimates,pressure-treatedlumberisanecessitywherewoodcomesincontactwithsurfacesoils.

ACCESSTheaccessibilityofyourbuildingsitewillaffecttwodesignconsiderations:the

deliveryofmaterialsandtheavailabilityofbasicutilitiessuchasfuel,electricity,andwater.Ifyou’regoingtobeorderinglargequantitiesofbuildingmaterialsfromalocallumberyard,forexample,willthedeliverytruckbeabletounloadthosematerialsdirectlyatyoursite?Ifyou’rehopingtobuildmodulesoff-siteandtrailerthemin,willyoubeabletogetatrailertothesite?Ifyouneedacranetohelpplacemodulesonthefoundation,willitbeabletogettothesiteandhaveroomtomaneuver?

Willyourcabinbeabletoaccessatownwaterline,ordoyouneedtoarrangetohaveawelldrilledortocapturerainwaterinacistern?Ifyourbuildingsiteisremote,electricpowerlinesmaynotbereadilyaccessible.Ifthat’sthecase,isitmorecost-efficienttopaythelocalelectriccompanytoextenditslinetoyoursiteortodesignanoff-the-gridpowersystemforyourcabin?

Youmaydecideyouwantyourcabintoexistoffthegridineithersituation,whichdictatesimportantdesignconsiderations.Forexample,solarenergyisintelligentdesigninsomeareas,whileinstallingaportablegeneratormakesmoresenseinotherareas,andforamountaintopcabinusingawindturbinetogeneratepowermayworkbest.Inareaswherefirewoodisplentiful,cheapcookingandheatingwithwoodmakessense;inadesertarea,propanemaybethefuelofchoice.Seechapter7formorediscussiononenergyindependence.

BUDGETBudgetisalwaysanimportantconsideration,anditdictatesstylefactors,thesizeofthefinishedcabin,andthetimeittakestobuildit.Doyouhavethefundstobuildthecabinallatonce,orwillyouneedtobuilditinstages?Buildinginstagesisagoodwaytospreadthecostsovertime,allowingyoutopayoutofpocketinsteadoffinancingtheconstruction.Modularconstructionlendsitselfwelltobuildinginstages;seechapter3formoredetails.

Thematerialsyouchoosewill,ofcourse,bedeterminedbyyourbudget.T-111plywoodsheetingisinexpensive,butitdoeshaveacertainlook.Masonrywallsbuiltoflocalriverrockimpartanotherlook,thoughtheycancostafortunetobuild—unlessyoubuildthemyourself,inwhichcaseyoumaybeatitformonths.

Amenitiesareusuallyabudgetaryconsideration.Grillingdinneronasmallportablegasgrilliscertainlylessexpensive,ifalsolessromantic,thangrillingoveralargefieldstonefireplace.Thenumberandsizeofwindowsisalightandventilationconsideration,butitisalsoabudgetaryconsideration.

Designingabudgetstartswiththequestion:“WhatdoIhavetospend?”Whetheryouhavecashonhandorwillbetakingoutaloan,dothemathsothatyouknowexactlyhowmuchyoucanafford.Andbesuretofactorinatleasta10percentoverrunonyourestimatedcosts,sothatyou’renotcaughtshortattheendoftheproject.

Itemnumberoneofthebudgetisthecostofthebuildinglot.Sitepreparationneedsattention,too;ifyoumustclearlandforyourcabinsiteordriveway,thatexpensemustbefactoredin.

Wecannowturnourattentiontothecabinitself.Oncethedesignphaseiscomplete,youwill“costout”yourcabin,thatis,determinehowmuchitwillcosttobuild.Anarchitectorbuilderwillbeabletoprovidefairlyaccurateestimatesofcost.Ifyou’reworkingonyourown,startatthefoundationandworkyourwayup.Hereisalistofareastoconsider:

Foundationwork

Framing

Siding

Roofing

Interiordrywall

Interiortrim

Electrical,includingelectricalservicetothecabin

Plumbing:waterandsewer

Cabinetry

Appliancesandfixtures

Heating

Specialfeatures,suchassolar-electricandhotwatersystems

Backfilling,grading,andlandscaping

Itmayseemlikeanoverwhelmingtask,buttakeoneareaatatimeandpriceitout.

Ofcourse,buildersandarchitectswilldoallofthisforyou,forafee.Manysoon-to-becabinownerswouldconsiderthatwellworththemoney.Butfor

thosewhowouldprefertodoatleastsomeoftheworkthemselves,thecostsavingscanbeconsiderable.Ijustcompletedanewkitchenforalittlemorethanone-quarterofwhatakitchen/bathcompanywouldhavechargedme.Ididthedesignworkandlabormyself.Iboughttheappliances,transportedthem,andinstalledthem.Ilaidthehardwoodfloors,tiledthebacksplashes,anddidtheelectricalwork,too.Ishoppedhardforgoodmaterialsatagoodprice.Itcostme$4,300forakitchenthatwasquoted,byalocalbuilder,for“ballpark$15,000.”

SCHEDULE

TheThree-SeasonCabinforAllSeasonsIfyou’rethinkingofbuildingathree-seasoncabinbutmightpossiblyhaveuseforitinthecoldestmonths,considerbuildinganinteriorcube,engineeredwithaveryhighRvalue,tohouseplumbing,water,andutilities.Thisinteriorutilitycubecouldbekeptabovefreezingatafractionofthecostofheatingawholecabin,providinghotandcoldrunningwaterandunfrozensewerpipesyear-round.Withtheseutilitiesavailableondemandallyear,youwouldn’thavetowinterizethecabinbydrainingthewatersystem,andyourthree-seasoncabincanbeusedinallfourseasons.

Theidealwaytobuildacabinisallatonetime.Youwouldflipopenyourcellphoneandcallalocalarchitectandhavehimdesignandbuildyourdreamcabin.Thearchitectwouldinturnhirethecontractor,whomighthiresubcontractors,andtheywouldallworktogethertogetthejobdone.

“Onceanddone”isagoodphilosophy,butbudgetandtimeconcernsmaynotmakethispossible.Cuttingoutallofthesemiddlemenwouldsavemoney,butdoingitonyourowntakestime.

Asmartwaytodesignacabinistobuildinstages,workingwithinthelimitationsofyouravailabletimeandfinancialresourcesto,overtime,getthecabinyouwant.Abasiccabincanbeenjoyedasaretreatandalsoprovidelivingspacewhileadditionsarebeingmadetoenlargeitsdesign.Forexample:Asmallstartercabinmaybe12feetby12feet,or144squarefeet.Acabinthissizecanbebuiltbytheownerinoneseason.Thesecondseason,8-foot-by-12-footporchescanbeaddedtoopposingendsofthecabin.Theseporchescanbeusedforleisure,sleeping,eating,oroutdoorcooking.Atsomefuturetime,thoseporchescanbeenclosedandincorporatedintolivingspace.Onecanbecomethekitchen/diningareaandtheotheramasterbedroom.Thenextseason,twoporchesaddedontheunusedsidesofthecabincanstayasporches,orbecomesleepingporches(ifwellscreened),orbeenclosedandconvertedintoadditionalbedrooms.Theoriginal144-square-footcabinwouldthenreverttoacommon

livingarea.Thiscabindesignprojectcan,overathree-yearimplementationschedule,becomea528-square-footcabinwiththreebedrooms.

Acabinownerdoesnotneedtokeeptheentirelivingspaceheatedinordertopreventtheplumbingfromfreezing.Withjustalittleheatfromanelectricbaseboardunit,athrough-the-wallinsulatedcubecankeepthewaterheater,waterpump,andsinkdrainsfromfreezing.Theshowerandtoiletshouldbeplumbedwithlow-pointwaterdrains,andwhenthecabinisnotinusetheshowerdrainandtoilet

shouldbetreatedwithRVantifreeze(whichisnontoxic).

CONSTRUCTIONMATERIALSThematerialsyouchooseplaythedeterminingroleinyourcabin’scost,quality,andstyle.Hereiswherebuildingsmallhasgreatadvantage:limitingtheoverallsizeofyourcabinallowsyoutodedicateyourmoneytobuildingwithqualitymaterialsthatwillserveyouwellovertime.

Iuselocalmaterialswheneverpossible,bothbecauseit’stheecologicalthingtodo(savingtransportationfuelandstimulatingthelocaleconomy)andbecauseitmakessenseaesthetically.Rough-sawnbarnwoodsidingmakessenseinnorthernforests;adobemakessenseintheAmericanSouthwest.Chefstalkabouttheadvantagesofpreparingdishesusinglocalingredientsandpairingthemwithlocalwines.Thesamecanbesaidaboutbuilding.

Theuseofrecycledorremanufacturedmaterialmaymakealotofsenseifyouliveinanareawhereolderhousingorindustrialstructuresarebeingeithertorndownorreplacedwithnewhousing.Youmayevenbeluckyenoughtofindalocalbusinessthatspecializesinusedwindows,doors,moldings,trim,lumber,brick,andsoon.Seechapter5formoredetails.

Usingpremanufacturedcomponents,suchaswhole-housemodules,panels,orrooftrusses,maymakesenseifyouwanttobuildquicklyordon’tintendtodomuchoftheconstructionworkyourself.Seechapter4formoredetails.

CONSTRUCTIONMETHODNosingleconstructionmethodisbest.Thedesignofthecabin,thecomplexityofthatdesign,andtheaccessibilityofthebuildingsiteareallimportantfactorsinchoosingaconstructionmethod.Takethetimetositdownandcostoutthebuildingofyourcabininanumberofways.Consultbuildersoranarchitect,ordoalotofhomeworkyourself.

Stick-Built

Thetermstick-builtreferstobuildingsconstructedon-sitefromdimensionallumber.Thistermusuallydifferentiatesbuildingsconstructedonepieceatatimefrombuildingsconstructedwithpanelsormodules.Thereisongoingdebateintheconstructionindustryastowhichmethodisbestforconstructinghouses.Perhapsthebestperspectiveisthatnoonemethodisbetterthantheother.I’vefoundthatthebestmethodoftendiffersfromprojecttoproject,dependingonsite,schedule,andbudget.

Withitscenturies-oldbuildingstyle,thepost-and-beamcabinhasaclassiccharacter.Traditionallytheheavybeamsremainexposedintheinterior.

PostandBeam

Post-and-beamconstructionisanoldideathathasregainedtraction.MostColonialandnineteenth-centurybarnswerebuiltusingthismethod.Inmodernhouseconstruction,thehouseissupportedwithaheavyframeworkofbeams(timbers)thatremainexposedtotheinteriorofthehouse.Thecharmofthismethodisthatthebeams,andtheircharacter,remainvisible.Sheathing,insulation,andsidingareappliedontheoutsideofthetimberframeworktocompletethehouse.

LogCabins

ThelogcabinispartoftheromanceAmericanshavewiththepast.Inpioneerdays,treeswerefelled,hauledtothebuildingsite,andnotchedtofittightlytogether.Thewallswerestacksoflogspiledoneontopoftheother.Anyvoidsbetweenthelogswerechinkedwithwhatevermaterialwasreadilyavailabletokeeptheweatherout.

Logcabinsevokeasenseofthepioneeringspirit.Theycanbebuiltbyhandtheold-fashionedway,butkitsmakethejobeasierandfaster.

Modernlogconstructionisusuallydonefromakit.Logsarecarefullyprepared,cuttosize,andnotchedinafactory,thenshippedtothehomesiteasakit.Kitloghomesgotogetheronthesiterelativelyquickly,sincemuchofthelabortookplaceinthefactory.Logcabinkitsmayseemexpensive,buttheyneednoothersheetingorinsulation.Thisconsiderationmakesthemcompetitivewithconventionalconstructionmethods.Assemblingacabinfromalogkitmightbeanexcitingandcost-savingbuildingmethod.Iftheromanceofalog

cabinappealstoyou,alogcabinkitmaybeanexcellentchoice.

StrawBale

Strawbaleisanotherconstructionmethodofpioneerdaysthatisregainingpopularity.Strawbaleconstructionusuallystartswithafoundationslab.Asimpleframeworkiserectedtohelpsupportthestrawbalesandtheroof.Thewallsarethenconstructedfromtightlypackedbalesofstraw,withthebalessetmuchlikegiantcementblocks.Electricalwiringandreinforcingwirelatticesmaybeplacedbetweenthelayersofstrawbales.Thestrawbalesarethenplasteredoverwithalayerofmasonrystuccotoprotectthestrawfromtheelements.Strawbalecabinsusuallyhavealargeroofoverhangtoprotectthewallsfromexposuretotheelements.(Strawmaynotbeagoodchoiceinclimateswheredampnessisanissue.)

Strawbaleconstructionyieldswell-insulated,natural-lookinghomes.Oneoftheirbestattributesiseaseofconstruction:anyreasonablyhandypersoncanputoneup.

Strawbalecabinstendtohaveanorganicfeeling,inthesamewayadobebuildingsappearorganicandsculptural.Strawbaleconstructionlendsitselftoownerbuilding,butitislabor-intensive.Ifsweatequityisyourgoal,thismightbetheconstructionmethodforyou.

PoleBuilding

Polebuildingsoffersomeexcitingopportunitiestothesmallcabinbuilder.Theyarerelativelyinexpensivetobuildandofferunobstructedinteriorspace.Becauseofthetrusssystemtheyutilizeintheirroofingsystems,theyneednointeriorsupport.Thetrussescanbecustom-engineeredfornearlyanywidthuptoabout36feet,andallthatisopeninteriorspace.

Poleconstructionusuallyemployspolesset8feetoncenter,withthetrussesattachedtothoseuprights.Horizontallumber,knownaspurling,connectsthepoles.Thislayoutsuggeststhat8feetwouldbealikelymoduletodesignon:abuildingoftwomoduleswouldbe16feetinlength,threemoduleswouldbe24feet,andsoon.

Polebuildingscanbeveryenergyefficient.Theuprightsareusually6×6or8×8posts,sotheyproducethickwallsthatcanbewellinsulated.Theflooringofapolebuildingcouldbeapouredconcreteslabwitharadiantheatingsystemcastintoit,whichisaveryefficientwaytoheatastructure.

Becausepoleconstructionisdesignedtobefreespan,itgivescabinownersgreatflexibilityinhowtousetheinteriorspace.Slidingwallsandpanelsworkwellinpolecabins;theycanbeopenedor

closedasneededtoopenordividespaces.

Endwallscouldbenearlyallglassandentrancedoors.Asetofslidingbarndoors,installedoutsidetheendwalls,couldbeclosedandlockedforsecuritywhenthecabinisnotinuseorinsevere

weather.

Polebuildingmanufacturersgenerallydesigntheirbuildingstoworkinfarmorindustrialsettings.Sincesuchbuildingswillneverwinanawardforaesthetics,apole-builthorsebarnmightbemoreaestheticallypleasing.Manufacturersdesignthesebarnswithstandardpolesandtrussesbutusuallygivethemcladding(siding)thatbetterfitstheaestheticsofdomesticarchitecture—inaword,sociallyacceptablepolebuilding.

Masonry

Oneoftheoldestandmostreliableconstructionmethodsismasonryconstruction.Stone,brick,cementblock,andevenglassbottlesandaluminumcanscanbeincorporatedintocabinwallsandheldtogetherwithmortar.Masonrycabinstendtobeimpervioustotheweatherandverylong-lasting.

Constructingamasonrycabinislaborintensive;aswithstrawbale,sweat

equitycanbeafactor.Thematerialstendtobemoreexpensivethanconventionalbuildingmaterials,butifyouhaveagoodlocalsourceformaterials,itmightbethebuildingmethodofchoice.

Cabinsbuiltofstone,brick,orothermasonrymaterialshaveastrongsenseofheftandtimelessness.Almostnothingisprettierthanasmallstonecabinbuiltofthesamerockthatsurroundsit.

MetalBuildings

IgrewuprightafterWorldWarIIwhenmilitarysurplusQuonsethutswerecommon.Theywerecheapandeasytotransportanderectwithoutspecialequipment.Twomencouldsetoneupwithinaweek.Theywereputtoavarietyofuses,fromhomestobodyshops,storagebuildings,retailstores,beerdistributors,andsoon.

Youmightthinkametalhutwouldbetoohotduringwarmweatherandtoocoldincoldweather,butduringWorldWarII,QuonsethutswereusedthroughoutthePacificandAlaskatohousejustaboutalltheArmy’s,Navy’s,andAirForce’spersonnel.Themilitarydevelopedinsulationpackagessothatthehutscouldhousesoldiersinreasonablecomfort.Today,spray-oninsulationmadefromrecyclednewspaperandafireretardantisidealforthecurvedsurfaceofaQuonsethut.

QuonsethutsandQuonset-stylemetalbuildingsarestillavailable.Thecurvedwallscreateadesignchallenge,buttheylendthemselvestoavarietyofapplicationsandcabinbuilding.Thehutsareusuallybuiltonaconcreteslab.

Dependingontheclimate,afootermaybenecessary.Utilitiesareusuallyputinplaceandthefloorslabpouredoverthem.

Dependingonmaterialsselection,thecurvedwallsofQuonset-stylehutscangiveacabinanearthy,shelteredfeelingoramodern,high-techcharacter.

Hybrids

AdaptingGarageDesignsPoleandpost-and-beambarnbuildersusuallyhaveavarietyofgaragedesignsthatcouldbeeasilyadaptedforsmallcabins.Someoffercarriagehousesthathavesecondfloorsdesignedtoaccommodateapartments.Thisconfigurationwouldleavethefirstfloorforparkingandstorageofvehicles,boats,trailers,orothertoys.ItwouldbeacomfortingthoughttohaveyourfishingboatanditstraileroryourATVstoredinasecureplace.Inaddition,second-floorlivingspaceprovidesabetterviewandimprovednaturalventilationandisgenerallymoresecurethanground-levelliving.

Manycabindesignersmixandmatchbuildingmethodstotheirideas.Pole-barnmethodsaremergedwithpost-and-beamconstructionmethods.Stickbuildingiscombinedwithmanufacturedpanels.Forexample,theclassicAdirondackcabinisfieldstoneonthefirstfloorandframeconstructionabove.Apremanufacturedranchhousemaybeplacedontopofafirstfloormadeofcementblockstocreatetheclassic“Poconosraisedrancher.”Generallyagoodruletofollowisthattheconstructionmethodisdictatedbydesignideas.Arriveatadesignyouloveandthenselectthebuildingmethodthatwillbestallowyoutobuildit.Andalways,alwayskeepaneyeoutforlocalmaterialsandresources.

FOUNDATIONSThoughyoumayneverseemuchofit,yourcabin’sfoundation—afullfoundation,aconcreteslab,orpiers—asabaseuponwhichtobuildisan

importantconsideration.Topography,climate,andseasonalusetendtodictatethetypeoffoundationselected.Fullfoundationswithcellarsorcrawlspacesmaybenecessaryforcabinsthatwillbeusedextensivelyinthewintertoprovideadditionalspaceforwaterpumps,furnaces,orheaters.Crawlspacesandcellarsalsoprovidestoragespace.

Aconcreteslabmaybethesimplestsolutionforafoundation.Footersareusuallydugandpouredfirst.Alsoknownasfootings,footersareconcretebasesthatsupportanddistributetheweightofwallsorpiers.Footersarenecessarytoprotectfoundationslabsfromheavingincoldclimates;they’reusuallyplaceddeepenoughtobeimmunetoseasonalgroundfreezing.Utilitiessuchaswater,plumbing,andelectricity(includingradiantheating,solarhotwater,orconventionalhotwatertubingorcoils)areputinplaceandtheslabispouredoverthem.Concretefloorsmeantaspartofapassivesolarheatingsystem(seechapter7)shouldbedarkincolor.Anumberoftexturedandpatternedsurfacescanbepressedintothefloorbeforetheconcretecures;thefloorcanbetexturedandcoloredtolooklikedarkflagstoneorbrick.

Indampbuildingconditionsorplaceswherefloodingislikely,placingcabinsonpiersmaybethebestsolution.Cabinsraisedonpierscanprovidestoragespaceorevenaparkingareabelow.

Wire-gridfencingpreventsanimalsfromgettingintocrawlspacesandunderdecksandporches;woodwork,lattice,orverticalslattingcanconcealthefencing.

Goodventilationisimportantforcrawlspacesandunderdecksandporches,asmoisturebuildupwillshortenthelifeoflumberandprovideaplaceformoldandmildewtogrow.Properventilationusuallyentailsplacingventsthatopentotheprevailingbreezesononesideofthecabinandasecondsetof

ventsontheoppositesideofthespacetoencourageacrossbreeze.

UnwelcomeVisitors

Crawlspacesandcellarsarefavoriteplacesforwildcritterstotakeupresidence.Squirrels,chipmunks,raccoons,skunks,groundhogs,andsnakescanmakethesespaceshome.Itisimpossibletotellaskunktopolitelygoaway!Evenbearshavebeenknowntohibernateundercabins,decks,orporches.

Wirefencingorhardwareclothsetafootorsodeepintothegroundaroundtheperimeterofacrawlspace,porch,ordeckwilldiscouragewildthingsfromclaimingthosespacesashome.Latticeorverticalslattingplacedoverthewirewillhideitandaddanotherbarrierlayer.

MAKINGTHEMOSTOFSMALLSPACESSmallcabinsaresmallbecausetheyhaveasmallfootprint.Thoughcabinsmayhaveasmallfootprint,withgooddesign,theycanofferacomfortablelivingspace.Thechallengeistocreatethatfeelingofspaceinasmallcabin.Ifindthat,inparticular,highceilingsandstrategicallyplacedwindowsmakeevenverysmallcabinsfeelcomfortable.

HighCeilings

Highceilingsgiveasenseofroominessandspaceinevenasmallfootprint.Theyalsoletinmorelightandmakeventilationeasier.Andincreasingceilingheightyieldsspacewithlessexpensethanaddingfloorspace.

Theadditionalceilingheightcanbeusedforstorage.(Afterall,smallcabins,bydefinition,havesmallstoragespaces.)Forexample,tworowsofcabinetscouldbehunginthekitchen,oneovertheother,doublingthekitchenstorage.Asmallfoldingkitchenstoolprovidesaccesstothehighersetofcabinets.Inthebedroom,additionalshelvingcouldbemountedonthewalls;usingclearplasticstoragetubsonthisshelvingwouldaddvisible,climate-andinsect-proofstorage.Inthelivingroom,akayakorcanoecouldbestoredbyhangingitfromtheceilingwithapulleysystem.Thatsamepulleysystemcoulddoubleasawashlinetodrywetclothingonrainydays.

Onedrawbackwithhighceilingsisthatwarmairrisesandcollectsnearthepeakoftheroofduringtheheatingseason.Installingasimpleauxiliaryductsystemcanovercomethisproblem.Installaductwithanairintakenearthehighpointofthecabinroofandextendingdowntonearthefloor.Equipthatductwithasmallcirculationfanthatisreversible.Inthewinter,thefanissettodrawwarmairfromneartheceilingandrecirculateittothefloor.Inthesummerthefanissettoreversetheairflow,drawingcoolairfromnearthefloorandcirculatingitneartheroof.Installathermostatnearthetopendoftheductandairflowwillbechangedautomatically.

WindowPlacement

Strategicallyplacedwindowsopenuplivingspaces.Windowscanbepositionedtotakeadvantageofagoodviewortohideabadview.Inthe1950s,thehotdesignideawasthepicturewindow—alargewindowdesignedtobethefocalpointofthelivingordiningroom.Theimplicationwasthattheviewthroughthewindowwasaworkofart.Thisideaisnotabadonetokeepinmind.Ifaviewofthebeachwhenyougetoutofbedinthemorningisimportanttoyou,thenawindowplacedtotakeadvantageofthisviewisappropriate.

Ifyourcabinisinthewoods,onthebeach,orlakeside,it’snicetobeabletoseeyoursurroundingsfrominside.Windowsbringtheoutsidein,establishingalinktotheenvironment.Windowsinprimarylivingspacesaremoreimportantthanthoseinlesserspaces.Windowsinhallsandentrancefoyers,forexample,arenotasimportantaswindowsinliving,dining,andsleepingspaces.Thebathroomisanexceptiontothisgeneralrule:naturalventilationisanecessityinbathrooms.

Windowplacementalsoplaysakeyroleincrossventilationandpassiveheating.Goodnaturalventilationcangreatlyreducetheneedforfans,whichinturnreducesyourelectricalneeds.Generally,thismeanshavingwindowsanddoorssituatedacrossfromeachothertopromotetheflowofair;youmay,forexample,wantwindowsinthesouthwestandthenortheastiftheprevailingwindsareinthatdirection.Asageneralrule,north-facingwindowsareoflittleadvantage:littlelightandlittleaccesstoprevailingairflowareavailablefromthenorth,andwinter’scoldblastisusuallyfromthatdirectionaswell.South-facingwindows,ontheotherhand,areanimportantfactorinpassivesolarheating,asthesun’srayswillhitthemdirectlyinwintertime,helpingtoheatthecabin.

Lofts

Loftsadaptwelltohighceilingheightsandareusefulassleepingspaces.Loftsincreaselivingspacewithoutincreasingthefootprintofthecabin.Asanadditionalbenefit,loftsandsecondfloorscostlesspersquarefootthanthesamespaceonasinglefloor.

Safeaccesstoaloftisanecessity.Ladders,libraryladders,ship’sladders,spiralstaircases,andsteepstepsaretheusualaccessestoloftspaces.Goodhandrailsareamustforstairs,asaresafetyrailsattheedgeoflofts.Ifprivacyisanissue,youmaywanttoattachacanvaspaneltotheloftrails,oryoumaydispensewithrailsentirelyinfavorofhalfwalls.

Atitssimplest,aloftisasleepingnooktuckedundertheroof.Inbiggerbuildingsloftscanfeaturemultiplerooms,bathrooms,readingareas,andmore.

SlidingScreensandDoors

MuchofthearchitectureinJapandealswithsmallspaces,andonedesignelementIsawalotoftherewastheshojiscreen,apaperscreenservingasaslidingwallorpartition.ShojiscreenshavebeenapartofJapanesearchitectureformanycenturies.TheoldestShintoshrineinJapan,locatedwheretheToneRiveremptiesintothePacificOcean,utilizesshojiscreens.Nowadaysshojiscreensareusedineverythingfromdomestichousingandapartmentstorestaurantsandhotelrooms.

Inasmallspace,shoji-likeslidingwallsorscreensareideal.Theyallowyoutodivideoffasleepingareafromthelivingspaceatnightandthenslidebackthescreenstomaximizelivingspaceduringtheday.Alsoconsiderslidingdoorsorpocketdoorsforanydoorways,interiororexterior.Sincetheydon’thaveaswing,orradiusofopening,theytakeuplittlespace.Awallofpatioslidingdoorscouldbeanintegralpartofapassivesolarheatingsystem.Thosesamepatiodoorscouldbeopenedinhotweatherfornaturalairconditioning.

Aslidingscreencanseparateasleepingalcovefromthemainlivingspaceatnight.Duringthedaythealcoveremainsopen,maximizingthecabin’slivingspace.

RVInnovations

BuildingYourselfVersusHiringOutWillyoubuildyourselforhirecontractors?Whichismostefficientandcost-effective?Theanswerliesmainlyinyourbuildingskills.Ifyouhavetheskillsandtraining,doingtheworkyourselfisbothlessexpensiveandmoresatisfying.Hiringouttheworktoprofessionalswillmaketheworkproceedmorequickly,butitwillcostmore.Ifindamixofthetwoisthebestwayformetobuild.

Ifyou’reinterestedinacquiringmoreconstructionskillsinordertodosomeoftheworkyourself,checkwithyourlocalschooldistrict.Mostdistrictshavevocationaltechnicalschools,andmanyofthoseschoolsofferclassesincarpentry,plumbing,electricalwiring,andsoon.Thelargebuildingsupplychainstoresalsooffer“howtodoit”classes.

Anyonebeginningtodesignasmallcabinshouldtakealookatrecreationalvehicles(RVs)andtraveltrailers.Thisindustryintroducesanendlessarrayofsmall-spacedesignfeatureseachyear.ThecompetitivedesignraceamongRVandtrailermanufacturersisfuelingagreatamountofinnovation,andtheseinventiveideascanbenefityoursmallcabindesign.Recreationalvehicleshowsanddealersaregoodplacestoseeavarietyofmodelswithawiderangeofequipmentavailable.Lookatthedifferentbrandsandsizes.Seehowtheyusespaceandplaceappliances.You’llfindsimpleyetpracticalideas,suchas:

Queen-sizedbedsthatliftuptoprovidestoragespaceunderthem

Bedswithasmalltriangleofmattressremovedfromthefoottobetterallowtrafficpastinasmallbedroom

Additionalstoragespacemadeavailablebyaddingshelvingovertheheadofthebed

Wallcabinetsplacedhighagainsttheceilingtoallowbedroomaccessbutincreasestorage

Bunk-sizedbedsmountedonthewalloverafull-sizedbedthatfolddownforadditionalsleepingspaceorupformorelivingspace

Flat-screentelevisionsmountedintoashallownicheinthewallsoasnottoprotrudeintotheroom

Automotive-typestereoequipmentandspeakersflush-mountedinanightstandandspeakersrecessedintowall

Ihavespentthegreaterpartofmylifebuildingandrefurbishingcabins,houses,cottages,andotherstructures.Nothinghaseverbeendonethesamewaytwice.Yourskillsgetbetterasyoubuild.Youlearnnewthings.Buildingmaterialschange.Buildingmethodschange.Localbuildingcodeschange.Ithasbeenanevolutionaryprocess.Learningnewthingshaskeptbuildinginteresting.SharingwhatIhavelearnedwithothershasalsobeenrewarding.IhatetogetZenonyouhere,butthejourneyisasimportantasthedestination.Sotakethetimetodesign,anddesignagain,andagain.Asyourdesignevolves,sowillyouandyourquestfortheperfectcompactcabin.

Anybedcanbedesignedsothatitdoublesasastorageunit.Withgoodhingesandsupportsorpulleys,theframeeasilyliftsuptoprovideaccesstostorageunderneath.

AMurphybed,asit’ssometimescalled,canbefoldedupagainstthewallduringtheday,maximizingfloorspace.

AMODULARAPPROACHTOCABINDESIGN

ANOVELAPPROACHTOSMALLCABINDESIGNISTHATOFMODULARIZATION.AMODULEISABASICUNITTHATCANBEEITHERREPEATEDORMODIFIEDTOSUITTHENEEDSOFTHECABINDESIGNER.

Severaladvantagesarefoundinthisapproach:

Abuildercanstartwithabasicmoduleandaddmodulesasneedandfinancespermit.

Modulesallowadesignertomixandmatchelementstobestmeettheneedsofthecabinowner.

Modulescanbearrangedinagreatnumberoffloorplans.

Modulesallowcabinstobedesignedtoefficientlyfitspecificterrains.

Modulesallowcabinstobedesignedtoaccommodategroupsofvarioussizes,frompersonal-sizedcabinstolargehuntingorfishingcamps.Usingmodules,apersonalcabincouldgrowintoafishingorhuntingcamp.

Amodularapproachallowsacabintoevolveastheownerlivesinitorasfamilyneedschange.Cabinscangrowbiggerorsmallerasneedsdictate.

Moduleslendthemselveswelltopremanufacturing,andthepreassembledpartsareeasytotransport.

MIX-AND-MATCHMODULES

PremanufacturingPremanufacturing—thatis,buildingsectionsoff-siteandtransportingthemtothebuildingsiteasthey’rereadyforinstallation—cangreatlycondensethetimebetweentheinceptionofdesignandtheproductionofthefinishedcabin.

PreassembledmodulesofthesizeIsuggest(12feetby12feet)canbetransportedbytrailerinthesamewayasmodularhousing.Oneideaistopurchaseatrailerframethatisusedunder

modularhomes.Thewintercanbespentbuildingthecabin(orpartiallybuildingit)ontheframe,andafterthefoundationworkisdoneinthespring,thecabinsectionscanbemovedtothesiteandinstalled.(Amodularhomedealercandothatjob.)Oncethecabinisinstalled,thetrailerwheelsandaxlesareremovedandthetowingtongueistrimmedwithacuttingtorch.Skirtingorsidingthencoversanyhintthatatrailerframerestsunderthecabin.

You’llfindheremodulesforbedrooms,bathrooms,kitchens,livingspaces,anddecksandporchesinanumberofdifferentconfigurations.Theyaredesignedtoaccommodatedifferentnumbersofpeopleandavarietyofneedsandlifestyles.Eachmoduleis12feetby12feet,or144squarefeet.Themodulesmaybestrungtogethertoproduceavarietyofcabinsizes,asseenbelow.

Themodularsystemofferedhereallowsforagreatdealofflexibilityindesign.Using¼-inch-to-the-footruledgraphpaperandadrawingpencil,youcandoyourowndesigning.Drawthemodulesyouareinterestedinonthegraphpaper,andcutthemout.Theycanthenbearrangedandrearrangeduntilyouarriveatthebestcombinationforyourneeds.

Thesetwosamplecombinationsuseactualmodulesfromthefollowingpages.Anyothermodulecouldbesubstitutedforoneofthemodulesintheseexamples;also,anyothermodulecouldbesimplyadded

on.Formorepossiblecombinations,seepages146–147.

Thefollowingplansareofferedasastartingpointforthecabindesigner.Theideasofferedmightinspirenewideasthatsuittheneedsofthecabindesignerbetter.

KITCHENMODULES

Thesefullkitchenmodulesofferfull-sizedrefrigeratorsandstovetops,aswellasplentyofcounterandstoragespace.

BATHROOMMODULES

Theselargerbathroommodulesaccommodateatuborshowerandstorageclosets,eitherinoradjacenttothebathroom.

KITCHEN/BATHROOMCOMBINATIONMODULES

Modulesthatcombinethekitchenandbathroommakeveryefficientuseofspace.Keepingallplumbingconfinedtoasinglemodulecanmakewinterizingthecabineasier;asinglemodule,rather

thantheentirecabin,canbekeptheatedjustenoughtokeepthewaterlinesfromfreezing.

BEDROOMMODULES

Bedroomscanbeeitherroomyaffairswithplentyofopenspaceorcompactarrangementsmakingefficientuseofspace.Bedsizeswill,ofcourse,bedeterminedbythesizeandnumberofoccupants

expectedtospendnightsinthecabin.

BEDROOMCOMBINATIONMODULES

Ifyouthinkofyourcabin’sbedasjustaplacetolayyourhead,thesecombinationmodulesmaybejustrightforyourdesign,foldingbedsintootherspacestomakethemostofcabinfloorspace.

BEDROOMFEATURES

Inabedroommodule,afull-sizedbedoffersstoragespacebothoverheadandunderneath.

Bunkbedsareperhapsbestsuitedforchildren,buttheyoffercompactsleepingarrangementsandevenstoragebeneath.

Abedroomstoragespacecanaccommodatebothahangingrodandadresser.

Aloft-stylearrangementofferssleepingspace,acozynookforreading,andstorage.

LIVING-AREAMODULE

Thisisabasicliving-areamodulewithawoodstove.Itcouldeasilyberestructuredtofitwithjustaboutanycombinationofmodules.

PORCH/DECKMODULES

Aporchordeckcanbetackedontoanyoutsidewall.

CAMPMODULES

Forahuntingcamp,fishingcamp,orothercabinintendedtohousealargenumberofpeople,you’llneedalargerkitchenandmoretoilets.

SAMPLEMODULECOMBINATIONS

K=kitchen/bathcombination

L=livingareaBED=bedroomsleepingtwoBUNK=bedroomwithtwobunkbeds,sleepingfourD=deckCB=campbathroomCK=campkitchen

Basingcabindesignon12-foot-by-12-footmodulesallowstheowneragreatdealofcreativeflexibility.Themodulescanbestrungtogetherinwhateverwaybestsuitstheowner’scurrentand

futureneeds.

USINGMANUFACTUREDSTRUCTURALCOMPONENTS

ONESERIOUSCONSIDERATIONINSMALLCABINCONSTRUCTIONISUTILIZINGMANUFACTUREDCOMPONENTSSUCHASPANELSANDMODULARBUILDINGUNITSTHATAREMADEOFF-SITE.MODULARHOMEBUILDERSHAVEBEENBUILDINGHOMESSINCETHEENDOFWORLDWARII.

Theycanofferqualitycontrolandbuildingstandardsthatarehardtoduplicateonajobsite.Ahostofothercustomfabricatorscanmakeeverythingfrompremanufacturedrooftrussestopanelsthatcontaindrywallontheinteriorandsheetingandsidingontheoutside.Theyarecapableofcustom-buildinganytrussthicknessandinsulationyouspecify.Manywillbothwireandplumbtheirpanels.Theyalsomanufacturefloorandroofmodules.

STRUCTURALINSULATEDPANELSStructuralinsulatedpanels(SIPs)aremanufacturedbyanumberofcompaniesinstandardconfigurations,andmostwillcustom-buildtoyourspecifications.Agrowingandimportantpartoftheconstructionindustry,SIPsareusedincommercialbuildings,barns,domestichousing,modularhomes,traveltrailers,andcabins.Theycanbeengineeredforalmostanystressloadorapplication.Builtinfactoryconditions,theyexhibitexcellentqualitycontrol,accuratesizing,andgreatdesignflexibility.Agreatchoiceofmaterialsisavailableforboththeweatherfaceandtheinteriorsurface,aswellasthetypeofinsulationused.CompaniesthatmanufactureSIPsusuallyfallintotwocategories: Companiesthatspecializeinstructuralpanelmanufacturealone.Thesecompaniesmakecomponentpanelsforjobsitesorwhole-housebuilders.Theyofferagreatvarietyofdesignandengineeringoptionsaswellasamenuoffabricationmaterials.Anumberofchoicesareavailablefortheweathersurface,theinteriorsurface,thestruttingmaterial,andinsulation.Theycancustom-buildpanels,orabuyercanchoosefromavarietyofpremanufacturedoptions.

Companiesthatarewhole-housebuilders.thesecompaniesoffera

completepanelizedormodularsystemforbuilding.Theyeithermanufacturetheirownpanelsorpurchasethemfromspecialtymanufacturers.Floors,walls,andceilingsmaybemanufacturedasflatpanelsanderectedatthebuildingsite.Orthecabinmaybemanufacturedindiscreteunits—bathrooms,kitchen,bedrooms,andsoon—thatareassembledwiththeuseofacraneatthebuildingsite.Mostmodularconstructionmethodsincludeelectricalwiring,heatingandcoolingducts,waterpipes,andotherutilitycomponentsalreadyincorporatedintothepanels.

MODULARKITCHENSANDBATHSEvenifyou’renotinterestedinhavingyourentirecabinconstructedwithSIPsorbyamodularhomebuilder,youmaybeinterestedinhavingapremanufacturedkitchenorbathroom.Somecompaniesspecializeinmanufacturingsuchmodules.Theseunitsarereadytogo,withplumbingandelectricallinesalreadyinplace.Theyaresituatedwithacrane,andthewater,sewer,andelectricallinesareconnected.Someareconventionalstud-and-panelconstruction,andothersaremoldedfiberglass.Yetothersuseacombinationofconstructionmethods.Becausealotoftheplumbingandelectricalworkinacabinconstructionprojecttakesplaceinbathroomsandthekitchen,youmaybeabletosaveyourselfbothtimeandmoneybyusingthesepremanufacturedunits.

I’mintriguedbythekitchenandbathroomunitsIseeinRVsandtraveltrailers.SincetheendofWorldWarII,RVandtraveltrailermanufacturershavebeenfiercelycompetingwitheachotherforsales,whichhasledtosignificantimprovementsintheirequipment,appliances,powersupplies,andaccessories.Manyofthesleeknewone-piecekitchenandbathroomunitsdesignedforthisindustrywouldadapteasilyandwellforsmallcabins.

SPECIALCONSIDERATIONSThinkthroughthefollowingconsiderationscarefullyifyou’reinterestedinusingmanufacturedpanelsasaconstructionmethod: Cost.Makingpanelsinafactorysettingisfasterandmoreaccuratethanstickbuilding(traditionalbuildingwithstudwalls).Laborcostsareanimportantaspectofanybuildingproject.Whichischeaper?Agoodandthoroughdesignprocesspaysoffhere.Takeasetofplanstoseveralmodularbuildersandtraditionalstick-buildingcontractorsandaskforquotesoncosts.

Findingamodularbuilder.Youmaynothavemuchtroublelocatinga

whole-housemodularhomebuilderinyourarea.FindingacompanythatwillmanufacturejustSIPsorcertainmodularcomponentsmaybemoredifficult.HereinPennsylvania,severalmodularhomebuildersmakepanelormodularcomponents.Mostwillnotstoptheirassemblylinesforasmalljob;withenoughleadtime,however,theywillscheduleasmalljobinoneoftheirslowperiodsorbetweentheirnormalproductionschedules.

Craneaccess.Verysteeporrockysitesdonotlendthemselvestoplacingacranetoliftthepanelsoffatruckandputtheminplace.Marshysitesnearlakesmaybetoosoftforthecranetostabilizeitselfonitsoutriggers.Accessroadsneedtobeadequateforboththecraneandflatbedtractortrailerstoaccessthesite.

Designconcerns.Somearchitecturaldesignsmaynotlendthemselvestomodularization.Mostpanelbuildersuseconventional2×4and2×6wallstudswitheitherplywoodpanelsordrywall.Contemporarydesignideasmaybebestimplementedbyconventionalstick-buildingtechniques.

Time.Withmodularconstruction,muchoftheworkisperformedinafactoryandnotonthecabinsite.Thisworkcanbecarriedoutduringthewinter,andthepanelsorcomponentscanbestoreduntilneeded.Mostoftheon-siteconstructioncanbeaccomplishedinaboutaweek.Somemodularhomebuilderscanbuildacabinandtransportitonatrailerframeinthesamemannerasthemobileandmodularhomestheymanufacture.Theresultistrulyaninstantcabin.Everythingisinplace:bathscomplete,kitchencabinetsandappliancesinplace,wallspainted,andcarpetorflooringalreadyinstalled.Theyinstalltheunitonafoundationandconnecttheutilities,andyou’regoodtogo.

SHIPPINGCONTAINERSAnintriguingideaistheuseofshippingcontainersasthebasemoduleforthecabinconstruction.Shippingcontainersaredesignedtobestructurallystrong.Innormaluse,theyarefilledwithcargoandstackedontopofeachother.Mostcontainersaredesignedtohandleagrossweightofover60,000pounds.Thisabilitygreatlyexceedsthedemandsofcabinbuilders.

Shippingcontainersareusuallyabout8feetwideand20or40feetinlength.Theyareavailableinbothinsulatedanduninsulatedversions.Mosthaveahead

clearanceof7feet8½inches;highcubecontainersare8feet6incheshigh.Shippingcontainersaredesignedtolockontoatrailerforeasytransport.

Usedshippingcontainerscanbepurchased,movedtothecabinsite,andassembledintoalivingspace.Anon-sitecranecanliftthemoffthetrailerandputtheminplace.Analmostendlessvarietyofspacescanbemadebyeitherstackingthecontainersorplacingthemsidebyside.Withtheadditionofaroof,youhaveacabin.

Usingshippingcontainersposesaninterestingdesignchallenge:howtomakeacabinbasedonthemnotlooklikeaseriesofoldtrailersstackedtogether.Thebestapproachistousethecontainersasthebonesofacabinanduseconventionalbuildingmaterialsincombinationwiththem.Conventional2×4framingfitswellwiththerectangularshapeofshippingcontainers.Mostmanufacturersofroofingtrusseswillcustom-designtrussestofityourneeds.Roofingmaterialssuchasraisedribmetalorcorrugatedmetalroofingusedassidingcouldbechosentomatchthelookoftheshippingcontainers.Withtheadditionoftrussedroofingandconventionalwallsystems,shippingcontainerscanbecomeanintegralpartofinterestingcabindesigns.Alsotrytoincorporatelargewindowstocuretheboxyfeelofthecontainers.

Fourexamplesofshipping-containercabinsareofferedattheendofthischapter.(Seealsothedesignonpage206.)Theycombineusedshippingcontainerswithtraditionalwoodframing.Inallofthedesigns,theutilities,includingthekitchensandbathrooms,arehousedintheshippingcontainerportionofthecabin.Theshippingcontainerscouldbemodifiedandinternalstructuresbuiltbeforethecontainersaremovedtothecabinsite.Kitchenandbathroomunitscouldbeinstalled,partitionwallsbuilt,andutilities,insulation,andfixturesinstalledpriortotransportationtothesite.Preparationoftheshippingcontainerscouldtakeplaceintheoff-seasonandgreatlyacceleratethebuildingprocessonthecabinsite.Preparingshippingcontainersclosetohomewouldsaveaconsiderableamountoftransportationtimeanddrivingexpense.

Anumberofcompaniesspecializeinsellingusedshippingcontainers.AsimplesearchontheInternetcanpointyouintherightdirection.

MyJunkman’sContainerHomeFromthemid-1970sthroughthemid-1980sIownedafarm,andthereIdidmyfirstexperimentationswithwindpower.Ibefriendedalocaljunkdealer,

whowasanincrediblesourceofcheapcomponentsforbuildingwindpumpsandgenerators.Hewasalsomyfirstintroductiontotheconceptofusingshippingcontainersasbuildingunits.

Myjunkmanlivedinhisjunkyardintwo45-foottractor-trailercontainerssituatedsidebyside,withapitchedroofoverthemandadeckontherear.

Thissetupcreated720squarefeetoflivingspaceatvirtuallynocosttohim.Hiswatercamefromtheroofsofhisstorageshedsandwasstoredinacistern,andheheatedwithwood.Helivedasimpleandcomfortablelifeonadisabledveteran’spensioninhiscontainerhome—itwasamazingtobehold.

MODERNISTSHIPPINGCONTAINERCABINThiscabinisdesignedtoaccommodatesolar-electricpanelsandthelargebankofbatteriesnecessaryforenergystorage.Ifusedinseasonsotherthansummer,someformofheat,suchasgasspaceheatingorhotwaterrecirculation,willneedtobeadded.

Features

374squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Three-quarterbath

Sleeps2or3

Utilizesone40-footshippingcontainer


CLEARCREEKSHIPPINGCONTAINERCABINThissimplecabindesigncanbevariedinstyleandsizebasedontheframethatisaddedtotheshippingcontainermodule.Becauseofthesmallscaleofthiscabin,averysmallwoodstovewillcomfortablyheatitevenincoldweather.

Features

480squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps2to4


TWO-STORYSHIPPINGCONTAINERCABINThisroomycabincontainstwobedroomsandtwofullbaths.Spaceheatingisprovidedbyawood-burningstove.Withapropane-firedrefrigerator,cookstove,andwaterheater,thiscabinwouldworkwelloffthegrid.

Features

720squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Twofullbaths

Sleeps4to6

Utilizesthree20-footshippingcontainers


BAERROCKSSHIPPINGCONTAINERCABIN

Thislargerthree-bedroomcabinsleepsuptoeightpeople.Spaceheatingiseasilyandefficientlyprovidedbyawood-burningstove.Addingagasrefrigeratorandacookstovewillmakethiscabinwellsuitedtoremotebuildingsitesoroff-the-gridapplications.

Features

800squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Fullbath

Sleeps6to8

Utilizestwo20-footshippingcontainers


GETTINGTHEMOSTFROMBUILDINGMATERIALS

WHENBUILDINGACABIN,EVERYONEWANTSTOKEEPTHECOSTTOAMINIMUM.THETWOMAJORCOSTFACTORSAREMATERIALSANDLABOR.

Andtheamountoflaboracabinwillrequireisdetermined,atleasttosomeextent,byyourdecisionsregardingbuildingmaterials.Mystrategyforgettingthemostfrombuildingmaterialsfollowsfiverules:

1.Plan/designwell.Theoldadageis“Measuretwice,cutonce.”Iaddthemantra,“Design,design,design.”

2.Shopwell.Findingmaterialsisasmuchapartofdesignasisdraftingplans.Itendtolookforoddlots,off-colorlots,andsurplusmaterials,becausetheyareavailableatpriceswellbelowretail.Itpaystoputinthetimetolookforjusttherightmaterialsatjusttherightprice.TheInternetcanbehelpfulhere—youcanuseittocheckpricesofanymaterialsorfixturesyou’reconsideringtomakesurethatyou’regettingagooddeal.

3.Stagetheproject.Don’tbeinahurrytopurchaseeverythingyouneedallatonce.Instead,purchasethematerialsyouwantwhenyoucangetthematagoodprice,thenstorethemuntilyouneedthem.

4.Buyusedmaterialsandfixtureswhenpossible.Usedorrecycledmaterialscancostlessthannewones.Itmakesecologicalsensetoworkwiththemratherthanhavingnewmaterialsmanufactured.Andsometimes“used”canequatetoaninterestingperiod-piecefixtureorauthenticallytimewornmaterial.

5.Makeyourownlaborcost-effective.Youmostlikelywillbedoingsomeoftheworkyourself.Planwell,getcostquotesfromcontractors,andknowyourownskillssothatyoucanmakecost-effectivedecisionsaboutwhichpartsoftheworkyoushoulddoyourselfandwhichpartsshouldbelefttocontractors.

LABORDECISIONS

BuildingwithPiersThepolebuildingindustryhasdevelopedprecaststeel-reinforcedconcretepiersthatcanbeusedasfoundationsformanytypesofbuildings.Likefullfoundations,theykeeppressure-treatedlumberfromgroundcontact,buttheyaremucheasiertoinstall—anyreasonablyhandypersonshouldbeabletodoit.Thepiersareavailableinvariousthicknessesandlengthsandusuallyhavesteelmountingplatesontop,whichmakesiteasytoattachthefloordeckingtothem.

Howyousetthepierswillbelargelydeterminedbyyourlocalbuildingcodes.Ingeneral,theprocessisasfollows:Digholesbyhandorwithabackhoe.Purchasebags(atleastonebagperhole)ofdryconcretemixfromabuildingsupplycenter.Mixthebaggedconcreteon-siteandpourabagintoeachhole.Spreadthemixoutintoabottom“plate,”about4inchesdeepandreinforcedwithsteelrods(rebar).Aftertheconcretehardens,standapierineachfooterholeontopoftheconcreteplate.Trueitup,plumbit,braceitinplace,thenbackfillthefooterholes.Keepthebracinginplaceatleastuntilyou’veinstalledthefloordeckingforthecabin.

Mostsmallcabinbuilderswanttoperformatleastsomeofthelaborthemselves.Aspartofyourplanning,evaluateyouroptionsforeachaspectofthelabor.Hereagain,cost-effectivenessplaysanimportantrole.Inthiscase,cost-effectivenessisdeterminedbythebalancebetweentimeandmoney.Ifyouhavethetime,doingtheworkyourselfcansavemoney.Ifyou’reshortontime,however,orifhiringaprofessionalwouldresultinsignificanttimesavings,itmaybemorecost-effectivetohirethejobout.

Forexample,sayIneedtoinstallfootersforthefoundationofmycabin.Thefirsttaskwouldbetoexcavatesothefooterscanbesetintotheground.Ihaveseveraloptions:

Icoulddigbyhand—cheapbutlaborintensiveandtime-consuming.

Icouldhireorrentabackhoetodigthefootersinanhourortwo.

Icouldbuyabackhoeanddigthemmyself.

PurchasingabackhoetodigafewfootersmakesnosenseunlessIhaveafutureuseforthebackhoe—andthatwouldhavetobeasignificantfutureusetomakeitworththemoney.Diggingfootersbyhandmightconsumemostofasummer’savailableworktime.Hiringabackhoeandoperatororevenrentingtheequipmentmakesthemostsense.Ofcourse,touseabackhoeIwouldneedtheskillstooperateit.It’simpracticaltothinkIcouldlearntooperateacomplexpieceofmachineryIhaveneverusedanddoagood,professionaljobthefirsttimeout.

Themostcost-effectivewaytogetthosefootersdugwouldbeformetohireabackhoeandoperatorandhavehimdigthefootersforme.AsIwouldwithanycontractorIhire,Iwouldbargainwiththebackhoeoperatorforthebestprice:

Contactseveraloperatorsandgetpricequotes.

Askaround.Mostlocalsknowwhodoesthebestworkatthebestprice.

Givethecontractoratimeframeinwhichtogettheworkdone.

Forthebackhoeoperator,Iwouldprobablyplantopourfootersafterthelastfrostofthespringseason.ThelastfrostinmyareaisinearlyMay.IwouldapproachabackhoeoperatorinFebruarywiththestipulationthatIneededthefooterstobedugbyMay5th.Thiswouldgivehimsomeflexibilityastohowandwhenhegetsthejobdone.Thegreatertheflexibilityyoucangiveacontractor,themorelikelyyouaretogetagoodprice.

Asfarasthefootersthemselves,Ialsohaveanumberofoptions:

Icouldhireacontractortoinstallthem.

Icouldbuildforms(thewoodthatholdstheconcreteinplace)andpourtheconcretemyself.(inthiscase,wouldIhand-mixthecementorhireaready-mixtruck?)

Icouldinstallpremanufacturedpiers,eachontopofasmallconcretepadthatIwouldmixandpourmyself.

Obviouslyacontractordoingtheworktakeslittleofmytimebutisthemostexpensivewaytogo.Buildingtheformsmyselfandpouringthemistheleastexpensivebutthemosttime-consuming.Usingsalvagedplywoodtobuildtheformswouldbeafurthersavings;hiringaready-mixtruckwoulddetractfromthesavings.Thethirdalternativeisprobablymybestchoice.

AfterIinstallthefootersIwouldplantobackfillbyhand;withthesoilloosenedbythebackhoe,itwouldn’tbetoodifficult,andIcouldbackfillonmyownschedule.

SHOPPINGANDSTAGINGWhenI’mdesigningandbuildingacabin,orevenjustreplacingakitchenorbathroom,Ispendalotoftimeandenergyinthethinking/designstage.Idodrawingsandmakenotes.ThenIgettotheworkofobtainingthematerialsandfixturesIneed.Ilookonlineandatlocalbuildingsupplyhousestoseewhatmaterialsareavailable.Iaskalotofquestionsofsuppliers,builders,andfriends.AndthenIstartshopping.

WhenIdesignIliketofocusondesign,whenI’mshoppingIliketofocusonshopping,andwhenIbuildIliketofocusonconstruction.Stagingaproject—purchasingmaterialsasyoufindthemandstoringthemuntilyou’rereadytobeginconstruction—allowsyoutofocusoneachaspectoftheprojectinitsturn,andwhenyougetdowntotheworkofbuilding,youdon’thavetokeeprunningouttothesupplyhouse.

Itendtolookforodd-lot,surplus,orrecycledmaterialsthatcanbepurchasedforadiscount;withalittletimeandworkIcangetexcellentmaterialsatawallet-friendlyprice.TheInternetisagoodplacetogetanideaofwhatvariousitemsaresellingfor.ThatwayIknowwhetherornotI’mgettingabargain.

StorageforStagingIfyoudon’thaveadequatestoragespaceforthematerialsandfixturesyou’vepurchased,arentalstorageunitmaymakealotofsense.Iliveinasuburbanneighborhood,andapileofmaterialsnexttomygarageforseveralmonthswouldcauseconcernamongmyneighbors.Ionceboughtanewdisplaykitchenfromalocalkitchenandbathdesigncompanyforafractionofitsvalue.Theywereupgradingtheirdisplayunitsandneededtoclearoutthepreviousyear’sdesignideas.PartofthedealwasthatIwouldremoveitmyselfandhaulitawayonatightschedule.Irentedaself-storageunitandstoreditthereforseveralmonths.Thisworkedoutgreat—forafewdollarsaweekIwasabletostorethekitchenuntilIwasreadytoinstallit.

Ialsotrytoworkwithlocalmaterialswheneverpossible.Theytendtobelessexpensivethanmaterialsthathavetobetruckedinfromelsewhere,andworkingwithlocalsuppliersisgoodforthelocaleconomy.Plusthere’sacertaincachettobeingabletosaythatyourcabinuses,say,locallymilledlumber,locallyquarriedstone,orlocalartisanhardware.Lookaroundtheareawhereyouarebuilding.Lookforlocalmaterialsmanufacturersorsuppliers.HereinPennsylvaniaisanactiveloggingindustrywithlumberavailablefrommanysmallsawmilloperations.Pennsylvaniaalsostillproducesslate,whichisaviablealternativetoceramictile.Gettingslatetilesecondsataquarryandhaulingthemyourselfwouldbealow-costwaytotileakitchen,foyer,orbathroom.

RECYCLEDBUILDINGMATERIALSCompanieseverywherespecializeinusedbuildingmaterialsandfixtures.Sometimestheseusedmaterialsare“funkier”thanwhat’savailableonthecurrentmarket.Sometimesthey’relessexpensive.Butthecheapestoptionisnotalwaysthebestoption!Ilikethetermcost-effective.Cost-effectivenessconsidersthecost,designutilization,andusefulnessoftheitem.Forexample,anewbathroomfaucetmaycostmorethanausedone.Buttheusedonemayhavepittedchromeandvalveseatsandmayneedtobereplacedinafewyears.Inthiscase,thecost-effectiveapproachwouldbetobuyanewfixture.

Thethingtodoisweighthecostsandmeritsoftheusedmaterialsagainstthoseofthenewmaterials.Besuretoconsiderseveralcosts:

Lossrate.Thelossrateishowmuchmaterialyou’llloseinpreparingitfornewconstruction.Whenrecyclinglumberorsiding,forexample,alotoftrimmingwillbenecessary;youshouldexpectabouta20percentlossrate.Alsoplantopullalotofnailsandruinafewsawbladesonhiddennails.Thelossratecanvarygreatlydependingonthequalityofthematerialandhowitwashandledwhenremovedfromtheoriginalsite.

Purchaseprice.Old,funky,andbeautifullightfixturesorentrancedoorsmaycostmorethanthenewequivalent.Oldbarnbeamsareworththeirweightingold.Newtimbercutatalocalsawmillmaymakemoresense.

Energyefficiency.Oldwindowsmaybecharmingbutnotveryenergyefficient.Theadditionofstormwindowsanddoorsmaybenecessary.

Leadpaint.Assumethatsurfacespaintedbeforethelate1960scontainleadpaint.Thepaintwillneedtoberemovedorcompletelycoveredtobesafe.

Insectinfestation.Lookcarefullyforinsectortermiteinfestation.Thelastthingyouwantistobuildtermitesintoyournewcabin.

ThingsNottoRecycleDon’tattempttorecycleoldwiringorfuseboxes.Theriskofshockorfireistoogreat.

Lookatoldwood-stovesorpotbelliedstovescarefully.Makesuretheyaresoundandreplacementpartsareavailable.Youcanbesurethatifyourstoveisgoingtobreakdown,itwilldosowhenitisbeingheavilyusedinthemiddleofwinter,whichisaterribletimetofindreplacementpartsortoreplacethestove.Ihaveanearly60-year-oldFranco-Belgecoalstovein

myhouse.Itstillburnswellandistheheartofmyauxiliaryheatingsystem.BeforeIinstalledit,though,ImadesureIcouldgetpartsforitfromalocalstovedealer.

IgrewupinthePoconoMountainsofPennsylvania.There,andthroughoutmuchofAppalachia,cabinswerecommonlybuilttoutilizeeitherhousetrailersortraveltrailers.Atrailerwouldbehauledtoabuildingsiteandsetupaspartofthecabin.AlthoughIfindoldhousetrailersdumpedinthewoodstobeuglyandanecologicalsin,itispossibletopurchaseusedhousetrailersveryinexpensively.Thecomponents—kitchen,bath,heatingsystem,electricalpanels,windows,doors—couldbereclaimedandincorporatedintoawell-designedcabin.Theshell(whichispoorlyinsulatedanyway)couldthenbehauledtoalandfill.Olderhousetrailersarenotoriousforpoorconstruction,poorinsulation,andflatroofsthatalmostalwaysleak.Thein-linedesignnecessaryfortrailerstobetransportedbyhighwayisnotgooddesignanddoesnotusespacewell.Savingwhatisreusableandincorporatingitintogooddesignisbothcost-effectiveandgoodfortheenvironment.

Buildingwithusedmaterialscancertainlyreapbothfinancialandaestheticrewards,butdoingsocanbetime-consuming.Forexample,gettingusedclapboardsidingfromademolitionsite,haulingithome,andspendingyourfreetimeoverthewinterpullingnailsandtrimmingmay,ormaynot,beagoodstrategyforyou.Forittoworkyouneedthreethings:

Timespentreclaimingthelumber,evenprimingitaheadoftime.Laborisexpensiveifyouhiresomeonetodothis.Ifyouworka40-hourweekandcommutetowork,timeisafactor.Whatyoudon’twantisabeautifulcabinandnofriendsorfamilytoshareitwith.

Atrucktohaulitin,oratleastagoodfriendwithatruck.Transportationintheformofahiredtruckisexpensive.I’vehauledmanyappliancesforfriendsinexchangeforahelpinghandwhenIneededit.Everybodybenefits,andworkingtogetherhelpsgenerateasenseofcommunity.

Somewheretostorethelumberandtoworkonit.

COMPACT&EFFICIENTUTILITIES&APPLIANCES

THEDECISIONSYOUMAKEABOUTUTILITIESANDAPPLIANCESWILLPLAYALARGEROLEINHOWYOUENDUPUSINGYOURCABIN.WITHTHOUGHTFULCONSIDERATIONANDPLANNING,THEINVESTMENTYOUMAKEINTHISEQUIPMENTWILLHELPYOURCABINTOBEASPACE-EFFICIENT,RESOURCE-EFFICIENT,ENERGY-EFFICIENT,ANDENJOYABLESPACE.

Efficient—that’sthekeyconsiderationhere.Efficiencyaddstothegreatpleasureofcabinlifethroughsimplifyinghouseholdwork,reducingoperatingcosts,andlimitingenvironmentalimpact,allowingcabindwellerstofeelrightathomeintheirlittlehome.

Thankfullyfortoday’scabinowners,many,manyoptionsexistforthenecessaryutilities,namelypower,heat,water,andsewage.Appliancesareasimilarstory:whetherfull-sizedordownsized,avastrangeofstylesandapplicationsisavailable.

USINGRVCOMPONENTSBotharevolutionandanexplosionhaveoccurredinequipment,appliances,andothercomponentsforRVs.MostRVcomponentsarescaleddowninsizeanddesignedtooperateonmultiplefuels.Theyarealsodesignedtowithstandtherigorsoftrailering,beingoperatedforshortperiodsoftime,andbeingshutoffformonths.Sincemostcabinownerssubjecttheirappliancestothesamerigors,theseappliancesareanidealchoice,andyou’llfindalotofreferencestotheminthischapter.

Unlikemosthouseholds,whichoperateonthe110-to120-voltalternatingcurrent(AC)oftheconventionalelectricitygrid,mostRVsutilize12-voltdirectcurrent(DC)electricity.Theymakeuseoflighting,appliances,televisions,fans,andotherelectricalcomponentsthathavebeendesignedtooperateon12-voltDCcurrent.Theseelectricalsystemsincludeheavy-duty12-voltbatteriesthat

canpowertheirDCcomponents.Theyalsousuallyhaveaninverterthat,whenRVsarepluggedintothegrid,cantransformstandardACtoDCelectricityandchargetheRVbatteries.ManyoftheseinvertersaredesignedtoautomaticallyswitchanRVfromgridpowertobatterypowerwhenthegridfails.Electricalinvertersystemsadaptwelltouseinsmallcabins.Aninverter/batterysystemcanbecombinedwithasolarelectricpanelsystemand/orawindturbinetopowerasmallcabincompletelyoffthegrid.(Seechapter7formoredetails.)

ManufacturersofRVsalsoproduceinnovative,multifunctionalfurniturethatadaptswellforuseinsmallcabins.Forexample,diningspaceisprovidedinmanyRVsthroughadinettebooth.Thetableportionsofthesedinettesfolddown,convertingthedinetteintoabedthatvariesinsizefromasingletoaqueen-sizedbed.Mostdinettesaredesignedtoofferadditionalstoragespaceundertheirseatingsection.

ManyRVshaveportablegasstoves;theycanbemovedfromindoorstooutdoorsforhot-weathercooking.Space-andenergy-efficientRVrefrigeratorscanoperateonmultiplefuels.Watersystemshavebecomeverysophisticated:Bathroomsareonepiece,incorporatingtoilets,lavatorysinks,andshowers,andsomeevenoffertubs!Hotwatersystemsarebecomingpoint-of-usesystemsandthereforeveryenergyefficient.

OtherpotentiallyusefulRVaccessoriesincluderoll-upawningsthatcanbebolteddirectlytoacabinexteriorwall;theyretractforsecurestoragewhennotinuse.Portableappliances,foldingtablesandfurniture,bedding,bathaccessories,dinnerware,andkitchenwaredesignedforRVuseadaptwelltosmallcabins.

ThethreeplansthatfollowrelyheavilyonRVpowersystemsanddesigninnovations.You’llfindthatmanyoftheplansinchapter1callforRVcomponentsaswell.

FromRVstoCabins

Usuallyonceortwiceduringthewinter,IattendlocalRVshows.I’mnotinthemarketforanewtraveltrailer;Iliketoseethenewinnovationsthisverycompetitiveindustryisintroducingtotheworld.AndeachyearinFebruary,whenIhavetohaulmytraveltrailertomylocaltraveltrailerdealerforayearlyinspection,Iarrangetoarriveatthemomentthedealeropensforbusinessandwaituntiltheinspectionisfinished.I’malwaysinterestedinanythingnewImightseeintrailerdesign,andwhiletheinspectionistakingplaceIusuallywanderthroughthesaleslotadmiringtheofferings.

Thisyear,Isawatthebackofthesaleslotadamagedtrailerthathadbeenstruckfrombehindbyacar.Otherthanthisdamageitwasinverygoodshape.Iaskedaboutitandwastoldthattheinsurancecompanyhaddeclaredthetraileratotallossandtheownerwastryingtodisposeofit.I

passedthisinformationontoafriendwhowasplanningtobuildacabininthespring.Hepurchasedthetrailerfromtheinsurancecompanyfortwothousanddollarsandmadeplanstoincorporatethekitchen,bathroom,electricalcontrolsystem,plumbingandwatersupply,andfurnitureintohiscabin.Afterremovingwhathewantedfromthetrailer,hedonatedthedamagedshelltoalocalvolunteerfirecompanytobeusedforfirefightingpractice.

Afoldingtablewhosecabinetdoublesaspantrystorageisjustoneofmanyspace-efficientRVinnovationsthatwouldworkwellinacompactcabin.

RV-BASEDMICROCABINIfyourideaofagreatvacationisbeingoutdoorsasmuchaspossible,thiscabinisforyou.It’stinybutcomplete,withahalfbathandkitchen.Thespaceheatingcouldbeprovidedbyagasspaceheaterorafurnacedesignedforasmalltraveltrailer.

Features

192squarefeet

Halfkitchen

Halfbath

Sleeps1to3

ReliesonRVcomponents


RVComponents

12-voltDCelectricalsystem

12-voltDCwaterpump

12-voltDClightingsystem

12-voltdeep-cyclebatteries

Shower/toiletcombination

Multifuelrefrigerator

RV-BASEDFORKSVILLECABINTheceilingheightinthiscabinis10feet,whichmakestheinteriorfeelmuchlargerthan200squarefeet.Thefull-sizedMurphybedfoldsupagainstthewallduringtheday,increasingtheusablespaceinside.Thesolarpanelsallowthiscabintobeusedinareaswheretraditionalelectricalserviceisnotavailable.Thecabin’slengthandwidthallowittobeconstructedoff-siteandtraileredtothecabinsite.

Features

200squarefeet

Halfkitchen

Three-quarterbath

Sleeps2



Canbebuiltoff-siteandtraileredin

RVComponents


12-voltDCwaterpump



Showerunit


LPgasfurnace

RV-BASEDMINICABINThiscompactcabineasilysleepstwoand,withapulloutsofa,canaccommodateuptofour.Withtwoclosets,tworowsofkitchencabinets,andotherstorageoptions,italsooffersplentyofroomforstowingyourbelongings.

Features

313squarefeet


Halfbath

Sleeps2to4

Outdoorwoodstove



RVComponents


12-voltDCwaterpump



Shower


Hotwaterheater

HEATING

MakingDoThefirststudioIownedwasheatedwithanoldwood/coalstove.Ibuiltacementblocksurroundwiththeblockcoresopen,soaircouldcirculatebyconvection.Astheblockswarmedup,theydrewcoldairoffthefloorandwarmeditasitpassedthroughtheircores.EventuallyItiledthecementblockswithhandmadeceramictile(Iwasworkingasaproductionpotteratthetime).Inaddition,Imadeaheavysquarewirebaskettofitontopofthestove.Ifilledthisbasketwithseveralcubicfeetofriverrockasaheatsink.Theresultingsystemheatedevenlyandwascheaptooperate.IheatedmystudiothiswayfortheeightyearsIlivedinthathouse.

Mostcabinsrequiresomeformofheatingsystem,andthetypeofheatingsystemyouchooseisanimportantdecisionincabindesign.Agreatnumberofheatingstoveswithverydifferentdesignfeaturesandaestheticappearancesareavailableonthemarket.Themajordifferentiatoramongthemistheheatingfueltheyuse.Wood,coal,orwood/coalstovesareafrequentchoiceamongcabinowners.Othertypesofheatingstovesshouldalsobeconsidered:liquidpetroleum(LP)ornaturalgas,openorclosedflame,ventedorunvented,spaceheaters,keroseneheaters,andelectricheaters.

Thoughyoucould,ofcourse,installatraditionalfurnace-basedsystemsuchasyoumightfindinmosthomes,thatmachinerycanbeabitmuchforasmallcabin,bothintermsofitsheatingcapacityanditscost.However,manyRVsuseLP-fueled,12-voltDC,hot-airfurnacesforheat.Thesefurnacesaresmallinsizeandductedtodeliverheatwhereveritisneeded.TheirBTUoutputisidealforheatingsmallcabins.

Whatevertypeofheatingunityouchoose,itisimportanttofollowthemanufacturer’sinstallationinstructions.Mostlocalbuildingcodesdictatethestandardtowhichthesestovesmustbeinstalled.Stovesalescompaniescanassistyouwithobtainingacopyoflocalcodesandstandards.

Asafe,fireproofareaforthestoveandasafechimneysystem(ifthestoveneedstobevented)areofutmostimportance.Becertainthatthestoveisasafedistancefromanycombustiblematerials,suchaswalls,windowframes,andfurniture.Thestovemanufacturerwillspecifythisdistance,whichcanrangefromunder1footto3feet.Youmightconsiderinvestinginathickmasonrysurround,whichisnotjustafiresafetyprecautionbutalsoawaytostoreheatthatwillbereleasedintothelivingspaceasthefirediesdown.

Youmayalsowanttoconsiderheatexchangesystemsthatfitintostovepipes.Theyextractheatfromtheexhaustgases.Thoughtheydoincreasetheefficiencyofthestovesystem,theymayremovetoomuchheat.Someheatisnecessaryfortheconvectionprocessthatmakeschimneysandstovepipeswork.Withoutsufficientconvection,combustiongasescanbackupintolivingspaces.Systemsthatdrawoutsideairintothestoveforcombustionmakealotofsense;warmairisnotusedforcombustionandthefireisisolatedfromtheroomair.

TransomsforHeatCirculationDesigninginteriordoorstoincludetransomscanassistinthecirculationofwarmairthroughoutacabin.Placingsmallductfansinthetransomscanhelpevenmore;thefanscandrawheatedairfromonespacetoanother.Thissetupwouldallowyoutouseastoveorheaterinoneroomtoeasilyheatadjacentrooms.

Atransomwindowoveradoorwaycanbefittedwithasmallfantopullheatedairfromoneroomtothenext.

SpaceHeating

DoYouNeedHeat?Ifyouplantouseyourcabinonlyinthesummerorliveinawarmclimate,cabinheatingmaynotbethebestwaytogo.IwasrecentlyinsouthernBrazil.Theclimatetheregetsdowntoaround40degreesatnightinthewinterbutneveraslowasfreezing.Daytimetemperaturesclimbintothehigh60sorlow70s,sovirtuallynoneofthehouseshasanykindofheatingsystem.Electricblanketsarepopularthere.Combinedwithsmallelectricheatersinbathrooms,theblanketshelpfamiliesinsouthernBrazilgetthroughthecoldestmonthsofJulyandAugust.

Inwarmerclimates,orforcabinsusedonlyinwarmerseasons,spaceheatingmakessense.Electricorgasspaceheatingisprobablythemostcost-effective.Catalyticpropaneheaters,suchasthosedesignedfortheRVindustry,arealsogoodchoices.Theyaresmallandmounteitheronorinwalls.Theycomeinavarietyofsizesdeterminedbytheiroutput,whichismeasuredinBritishthermalunits(BTUs).Manufacturerscanrecommendwhichsizeunityou’dwantbasedonthecubicvolumeofyourcabin.IsuggestbuyingaunitwithaBTUcapacityslightlylargerthantheformulacallsfor.Thiswillgiveyoubackupcapacityforunexpectedcoldsnapsandbringacoldcabinuptotemperaturewhenyoujustarrive.

HotWaterHeat

Anovelmethodtoheatsmallcabinsforthree-seasonuseiswithahotwaterheater.Asmallcabincanusuallytakecareofitshotwaterneedswitha20-gallonhotwaterheater.Increasingthatcapacitytoa40-gallonunit(thesizemostcommonlyfoundinhomes)willprovidetheoptionofheatingacabinwithhotwater.Hereishowitworks:Aplumbingteeisplacedinthewaterlinesnearthehotwateroutletpipeandthecoldwaterinletpipe.Thislineisthenloopedthroughacirculationpumpandbaseboardhotwaterheatingradiator.Thecirculationpumpisthen,inturn,connectedtoathermostat.Iwouldalsoputwatervalvesatbeginningandendofthisloop,closetowhereitconnectstothehot/coldwaterlines.Thevalvesallowforthehotwaterlooptobeisolatedandshutofffromthehotwatersystem.Withadrainpluginstalledatthelowpointinthehotwaterheatingloop,itcanbedrainedinthewinter.

Inoperation,thethermostatwouldcallforheatandclosearelayprovidingelectricitytothecirculationpump.Thepumpwouldthencirculatehotwaterfromthehotwaterheaterthroughtheradiator.Whenthethermostatwassatisfiedthecirculationpumpwouldshutoff.Iwouldnotrelyonthissystemincoldweatherorforalargecabin;thissystemisviableforsmallcabinsnotusedinthecoldwintermonths.

HotWaterCirculationHeatingSystem

Insmallcabins,asimplehotwatercirculationsystemcanofferadequateheatforminimalcostandinfrastructure.

COOKSTOVES

CookstoveConsiderations

Choiceoffuels:Whatisavailableandcosteffective?

Numberofpeopletobefed:Morepeople=moreburners.

Lifestyle:Iscabincookingaminimalexperienceorachancetobeagourmet?

Convenience:Doyouwanttobuildafireeverytimeyouwanttocook?

Youcanfindavastnumberofreliablecookstovesonthemarket.Theyrange

frommicro-sizedbackpackcookstovestolargewood/coalkitchencookstoves.Isuggeststartingyourselectionprocessbasedonthefuelyouintendtoburninthisstove.Whatisavailableandcheap:wood,coal,gas/propane,orelectricity?Thenascertainyourneed,whichisusuallythenumberofburnersnecessarytocookforacabinfullofpeople.Thisnumbercouldrangefromatwo-burnerRVstovetoasix-burnergasorelectricrange.Doyouwantanoven?Doyouwantamicrowave?Willyoucookmainlyinside,ordoyouplantogrillalotoutside?

RVCookingComponents

Stoves,ovens,andmicrowavesforRVsareavailableinsizesthatworkwellinsmallcabins.AndRVgasgrillsareperfectforsmallcabinuse.

Ipersonallylikethethree-burnerLPgasstovesdesignedforuseinRVs.Theycanbemovedoutdoorsandreconnectedforuseinhotweather;thelessheatputintoacabin,thelessitwillneedtobecooled.Foranumberofyears,Iservedasacampcookforvolunteergroupsrepairingandmaintaininghikingtrialsinstateparksandforests.Ihavecookedforaweekforasmanyas40peopleonthreeburners.AndIalsohaveasmallJapanesesingle-burnerLPgasstoveIhaveusedfor25yearswhenIstayinmycabinalone.

InductionCooktops

Arecentinterestingadvanceincookingtechnologywasfirstintroducedintotherestaurantindustry:inductioncooktops.Inductioncooktopsutilizetheprincipalofeddycurrentstoproduceheat.Thecookingburnersareinfactlargemagnetsthatoperateonhomeelectricalcurrent.Whencombinedwithspecialcookwarewhosebottomshaveanembeddedcoreofiron,theyproduceheat.Themagneticenergyfromthecooktopinducesamagneticcurrentintheironcoreofthecookingpan.Theexcitedmoleculesofthepancorethenvibrateandproduceheat,muchinthesamewaythatmicrowaveovensheatfood.Somemodelsofinductionhotplatestakeupverylittlespaceandcanbemovedfromplacetoplaceaslongasanelectricaloutletisavailable.Inductionhotplatescanbestoredinacabinet,setuponacounterwhenit’stimetocook,andthenreturnedtostorage.

Oneadvantageofinductioncookingisthatthestovedoesnotgethot;theheatislimitedtothebottomofcookingpans.Thedownsideisthatspecialcookwareandanelectricalsupplyarenecessary.

ElectricCookers

SummerKitchensWhenfarmswerebeingdevelopedintheeighteenthandnineteenthcenturiesinthePennsylvania

DutchareasofPennsylvania,theyutilizedwhatwereknownassummerkitchens.Thesesmallbuildingswereclosetothemainhouseandreservedsolelyforthepurposeofcookinginthesummertime.Thisarrangementisolatedthecookingheatfromthemainstructure.Somesummerkitchensincludedclotheswashing,baking,andevenslaughteringfacilities.ManyPlainPeople(suchastheAmishandMennonites)stilluseandbuildsummerkitchensaspartoftheirfarmsteads.Cabinsthatincorporatethisideamaymakesenseinwarmerclimates.

Cabincooksshouldconsiderusingpressurecookersandslowcookers.Modernpressurecookersarenotthepressurecookersyourgrandmotherused50yearsago.Theyaresmaller,easiertouse,andmuchsaferthantheolderdesigns.Pressurecookersgreatlyreducecookingtimesandthereforetheuseofenergy.

Slowcookers,ontheotherhand,areidealforcabinliving.Mostcanbepluggedintohouseholdoutletsandplacedonakitchencounter.Loadthemupinthemorningandtheyneedlittleornoattentionduringtheday.Andthere’snothingbetterforbreakfastonacoldmorningthanIrishoatmeal.AslowcookerloadedwithIrishoatmealatbedtimewillproduceagreatbreakfastwithlittleworkinthemorning.

HeatingandCookstoveCombinations

Lookforheating/cookingstovecombinations.Thiskindofastoveisgreatinthewinterbutmayputouttoomuchheatinthehotsummermonths.Thewaythesestovesaredesignedprecludesthemfrombeingequallygoodatspaceheatingandatcooking.Heatingstovesaredesignedtoradiatetheheattheyproduceintotheroom,usuallyfromthefrontandbothsides.Cookstovesaredesignedtodirecttheheatupwardtothecookingsurface.Veryfewstovesonthemarketdobothchoreswell.

Mystepfather’scabinwasheatedbyanoldwood/coalcookstove.Ithadawarmingclosetoverthecookingsurface,ahotwaterjacketinthefirebox,andanoven.Itprovidedheat,hotwater,andcooking.Thissystemwascomforting,old,andreliable,butittookupalotavaluablespaceinthecabinandwasimpossibletouseanytimeexceptinthewinter.Nevertheless,thatstovewasagreatpleasureuponreturnfromicefishingexpeditions.Youcouldstandclosetotheopenovendoorandgettoastywarminjustafewminutes.

FIREPLACESFireplacesareverypopularincabins,perhapsbecausetheyareanintegralpartoftheimagethatcomestomindwhendesignersenvisionacabin.Fireplacescanprovidebothheatingandcookingfacilities.Theycanbegroupedintotwomajortypes:

Thosebuiltentirelyofmasonrymaterials

Thosethatincorporatemetalinserts

MasonryFireplaces

Fireplacesareusuallybuiltofsomesortofmasonry,suchasbrick,stone,orconcreteblock.Themasonrymassactsasaheatsink,absorbingheatandthenradiatingitwhenthefirediesdown.Regardlessofthematerialyouchoose,thefireboxandchimneyfluemustbebuiltoffirebrick,andthefluemusthaveaceramicliner.Thedesignofafireplaceiscriticaltoitscorrectoperation.Forexample,thefireplaceopeningandfluemustbesizedproperlyforafireplacetooperatewithoutcombustiongasesbackingupintotheroom.Smokeshelvesandfluedampersarealsoessential.

Althoughexpensiveandtime-consumingtoconstruct,masonryfireplacesarealifetimeinvestment.Withregularcleaning,theywilllastforgenerations.

Amasonryfireplaceevokesclassiccabinstyle.Thoughinpioneerdaysfireplaceswerealwaysowner-

built,andstillcanbe,inmostlocalestheirconstructionisgovernedbybuildingcodes,withstrictregulationsregardingconstructionmaterialsandtechniques.

RussianStoves

Russianstovesareessentiallyfireplacessurroundedbyalargemassofmasonryandsetinaroom.Theyaredesignedtoactasheatsinksandtoincreasethepathoftheexhaustgasesinordertoextractasmuchheatfromthemaspossible.

Russianstovesareefficientheaters,buttheyareveryexpensivetobuildandtakeupalotoflivingspace.

ThemassivemasonryofaRussianstoveactsasaheatsink,absorbingheatfromthefirewithinandonlyslowlyreleasingit.

FireplaceInserts

Onedrawbackoftraditionalfireplacesisthatwhenanycombustionispresentinthefirebox,thefluemustremainopen.Ihaveoftenfallenasleepinawarm

cabinonlytowakeduringthenighttofreezingtemperaturesbecausewarmairwascontinuallydrawnuptheflueasthefirewentout.Ifyoudon’twanttohavetofeedafireduringthenight,afireplaceinsertmaybeabettersolution.

Fireplaceinsertsareessentiallysteelboxesbuiltintofireplaces.Theycanconnecttoconventionalfluesorchimneysorexhaustthroughstainless-steeldouble-walledpipe.Theyareusuallydouble-walled,withaircirculatingbetweenthetwowalls.Mostareequippedwithdoorsanddrawtheircombustionairfromoutside.

Insertsboastanumberofadvantagesoverconventionalfireplaces.Sincethefireiscontainedinasteelbox,theinsertcanbesurroundedbynonmasonrymaterials.Thisallowsforavarietyofdesignpossibilitiesforthemantelandreducesoverallconstructioncosts.Manyfireplaceinsertsarezeroclearance,meaningtheycansafelybeinstalledinconventionalbuildingmaterials.Whencoupledwithstainless-steeldouble-walledstovepipe,massivemasonrystructuresarenotneeded.

Fireplaceinsertsarefairlygoodheatingdevices.Becausethefireisisolatedfromtheroombydoorsandtheairflowcanbecontrolled,heatoutputcanberegulated.Manyinsertscomeequippedwithcirculationfans.Eitherbyconvectionorfan,insertsdrawcoolairfromthefloorandcirculatewarmairintothelivingspace.

Afireplaceinserthasalltheappealofatraditionalfireplace,withtheaddedbenefitofgreaterchoiceinmaterials,potentiallyreducedcost,andtheabilitytoregulateheatoutput.

FireplaceCooking

FireSafetyMakeitapolicytoinspectyourheatingstove,cookstove,andfireplaceeachyear.Thismeansacompleteinspectionofthestove,itsfirebox,anditsoperation.Replaceanywornparts.Alsoinspectanystovepipesandchimneycaps.Replaceanyrustedorwornpipeorcapping.Cleanstoves,chimneys,andstovepipeseachyear,ascreosotebuildupcancausechimneyfires.Ioncespentaweekendatafriend’shuntingcamp.Thecabin’sonlyheatsourcewasalargefireplace.Sinceitwasearlywinter,thefireplacewasinconstantoperation.Atabout4A.M.onaSunday,achimneyfirebrokeout.Withoutaladderavailablesowecouldgettotheroofandputthefireout,thefireragedforaboutanhourbeforeitburneditselfout.Thoughwewereluckyinthatthefiredidnotburnthecampdown,theheatdestroyedthemortarbetweenthebricks.Thefireplacehadtobeentirelydismantledandrebuilt.

Cookingwithafireplacecanbefun,butitischallengingifyouarenotexperiencedwithhandlingafirewhileyoucook.Tobegin,youneedcast-ironcookware;conventionalstainless-steeloraluminumcookwarewillnotsurvivefireplacecooking.You’llalsoneedawaytosuspendthecookwareoverthefire.Acast-ironDutchovenwithlegsisideal;itcanbeplacedrightoverabedofcoals.SomeDutchovenshaveflat,recessedlidstoholdhotcoals.Withalittlepractice,youcanbakebiscuits,bread,orcakesintheseflat-toppedDutchovens.

Thoughithasappeal,mostofuswholiveinmodernhousingmayfindfireplacecookingtoochallenging.Crawlingoutofadownsleepingbagonafrostymorningtostartafiretomakecoffeecanloseitsromanceafterafewmornings.Andcookinginafireplaceinthesummerisextremelyimpractical!

AIRCONDITIONERSAirconditionersaregenerallyconsideredtobeenergyhogs,butinreallyhotorswampyweather,youmaywantone.AvarietyofairconditionersaredesignedtobeusedinRVs.Mostareroofmounted;someareducted.Sizesareidealforuseinsmallcabins.Ifyourcabinisoffthegrid,airconditionerscanbeoperatedfromamedium-sizedportablegenerator.

REFRIGERATORSYoumaywantatraditionalelectricfull-sizedrefrigeratorinyourcabin.Ifso,besuretoinvestinanEnergyStar–ratedone.

Checkoutalternativeoptionsforrefrigeration.SomerefrigeratorsoperateonLPgas,whichisgreatforoff-the-gridapplicationsandinlocationswheregridelectricityisunreliable.YoumightalsolookatrefrigeratorsfromtheRVindustry,whichrangeinsizefrom3to14cubicfeet.Manyoperateonmultiplefuels,whether12-voltDCelectricity,120-voltACelectricity,orLPgas.

WATERPUMPSANDTANKSIfyou’reluckyenoughtobebuildinginanareawhereyoucanplugintoatownwaterline,youprobablywon’tneedtoworryaboutwaterpumping.Ifyourcabinwatersystemwillrelyonawellorotheralternativewatersource,however,you’lllikelyneedawaterpump.Ineithercase,youmightconsiderawaterstoragetankaswell,incaseofemergency.

WaterpumpsandtanksdesignedforRVscanbeadaptedeasilyforuseinsmallcabins.Theyaredesignedtobeeasytowinterizeandeasytomaintain.MostRVsutilizeon-demandwaterpumpsthatoperateon12-voltDCelectricity.Thesesystemscanbeusedwithawellorwithconventionalwatersources.Plasticwatertanksfrom15to75gallonsareavailableforwaterstorage.

WATERHEATERSHot-watertanksareavailableinsizesrangingfrom6gallonsto100gallonsandmore.Forsmallcabinusage,tanksofmorethan40gallonsarenotusuallynecessary.

Hot-watertanksdesignedforRVscanbeusefulinsmallcabins.Theyareusuallycontrolledby12-voltDCelectricityandheatwithpropane.Thereisnoneedtooperatethemconstantly;mostaredesignedtoreach“hot”in20to30minutesfromstartuptoshowertime.Operatingthemforalimitednumberofhourseachdaysavesagreatdealofenergy.

Youmightalsoconsideratanklesson-demandhotwaterheater.Theseunitsdon’tstorehotwater;theyareinsteaddesignedtoheatwaterasit’sneeded(hence,“ondemand”).Theyareusuallymountedonthewallofakitchenorbathroomnearwherethehotwaterisneeded.BothelectricandLPgasversionsareavailable.

WASTEWATERSYSTEMSMostcabinsarebuiltinareaswheresewerlinesaren’tavailable.Insuchsituations,youmaywanttoconsidercompostingtoiletsandgray-waterrecyclingsystems.Suchsystemsreducethesizeandcostofyourcabin’ssepticsystem.

CompostingToilets

Self-containedcomposting,orwaterless,toiletsareagoodideaanywherenutrientsfromasepticsystemmightleachintothewatertable,wetlands,oralakeorotherwaterway.Anumberofdifferentdesignsystemsareavailableonthemarket,andmostcanbeincorporatedintoaconventionalbathroomdesign.Allcompostingtoiletsystemsworkonthesameprinciplesandhavethesameobjectives:

Tohandlehumanwasteinaccordancewithgoodsanitationpractices

Toproduceaninoffensiveandsemidryendproductthatcanbehandledeasily

Tominimizeodor

Tocontain,immobilize,ordestroyorganismsthatcancausehumandisease

Theprimarycomponentofacompostingtoiletisthecompostingreactororcomposter,whichisconnectedtooneormorewaterlessormicroflushtoilets.Mostcompostersusemicroorganismstobreakdownwastes.Theseorganismsareaerobic,requiringoxygentodotheirjob,sothesystemmusthaveameanstoaeratethecomposter.Thecomposter

mustalsohaveanexhaustsystemtoremoveodors,carbondioxide,watervapor,andby-productsofaerobiccomposting,andtheexhaustshouldbescreenedtopreventfliesfromentering.Thesystemmustincludeawaytodrainandmanageexcessliquidfromthecomposterandanaccessdoorsouserscanremovethecompostedmaterialwhenit’sready.

Ifyouwanttohaveacompostingtoiletinyourcabin,considerseveralfactors:

Self-containedversuscentralized.Thechoiceofwhichtypetoselectisbasedonsitedesign,theloadonthesystem(thenumberofpersonsusingit),andthenumberoftoiletsinacabin.Generally,smallcabinsuseself-containedcompostingtoilets.

Manufacturedorsitebuilt.Manufacturedunitscomeready-made.Justinstallthemandconnectanyelectricityneeded.Site-builtunitscanbecustom-builtanddesignedtosuittheneedsofaspecificapplication.(Butnotethatitisgenerallydifficulttogetsite-builtcompostingtoiletsapprovedbyzoningcodeofficials.)

Batchorcontinuouscomposting.Mostsystemsuseoneortheothersystem.Continuouscompostingsystemsallowurinetocontinuallymoistentheprocess.Theyalsoallowthecenterofthecompostingpiletoheatupthroughuninterruptedmicrobialactivity.Proponentsofthebatchcompostingsystemsaythatnotcontinuallyaddingfreshmaterialallowsforthecompostingtotakeplacemorethoroughlyanduninterrupted.Batchprocessingallowsforunlimitedcapacity,butsuchsystemsrequiremonitoringandtheircontainersneedtobeexchangedwhenfull.

Activeorpassivecompostingsystems.Activesystemsfeatureautomaticmixers,fans,heaters,thermostats,andsoon.Thesesystemsmayrequiretoomuchelectricityforsmalloff-the-gridsystems.Passivesystemsrelyonnaturalprocessesovertimetodothejob.Passivesystemsaresimplerthanactivesystemsandthereforerequirelessservicingormaintenance.Activesystems,however,canhandleagreaterquantityofwaste.

Outhouses

Theold-fashionedouthouseisinfactawaterlesscompostingtoilet.Itispossibleforcabinownerstobuildaneco-friendlyouthouse.Aconcretejunctionbox,availablefromsepticsystemandplumbingsupplyhouses,couldbeusedasan

in-groundreservoirforanouthouse.Incabinsthatarenotusedexcessivelyorforlongperiodsoftime,anouthousewithaleak-proof,in-groundreservoircouldbeacost-effectivetoiletsystem.(Asmentionedearlier,zoninglawsmayprohibitthistypeofsepticarrangement.)

Theouthouseshouldbedownhillfromthecabin’swatersource.Inaddition,theremustbesufficientdistancebetweenthewatersourceandtheouthouse.Yourlocalbuildingcodemayspecifyjusthowfarapartthewatersourceandouthouseneedtobe,butingeneral,it’sbesttoplacethemasfarapartasispractical.

Ifyouhaveeverusedanouthouseinthemiddleofamidwinternight,youknowtheirmajorflaw.Insummer,manyouthousesbecomehometoallsortsofcreepy-crawlythings.However,goodbuildingpracticescanmakeanouthousetightenoughtoeliminateinsects,snakes,chipmunks,andothercritters.Aventstackfromthecompostingchamber,extendingabovetheroofline,canexhaustodorswellawayfromanyhumannose.A3-or4-inch-diameterventpipe(PVCpipeorraingutterpipeworkswell)extending3feetorsoabovetherooflineoftheouthouseandpaintedblackcanactasasolarventsystem.Equipthisventpipewithacapthatwilleliminatebothrainwaterandinsects.Itwillexhaustwastegasesandalsoaidindrawingneededfreshairintothecompostingchamber.

CatchingandStoringWaterInmygarageIhaveinstalledsix50-gallon,interconnected,blueplasticdrums.Thedrumsarearrangedagainstonewallofthegarageandsupportastorageshelvingsystem.Iequippedthegutterofmygarageroofwithadiverterthatchannelsrainwaterintothedrumsuntiltheyarefilled.Iuseasmallsubmersiblefishpondpumpandgardenhosestopumpthatwatertowhereitisneeded.Iusethatwatertowatermygarden,washmycarandtruck,andwashmyboatafteranouting,beforeIstoreit.IalsouseittofillanotherbarrelIkeepnearmygardeninwhichImakecompostteaasfertilizer.Inthewinter,Idrainthedrumstokeepthemfromfreezing.

Outhousescanbecombinedwithotheroutbuildingfunctions,suchasstorageoftoolsorwood.Combiningfunctionssavesonbuildingtimeandmaterials.

Gray-WaterRecycling

Graywateriswastewaterfromsinks,tubs,andshowers,which,unlikewastewaterfromthetoiletorkitchensink,doesn’tcontainseriouscontaminants.Itmayalsoincluderainwaterrunofffromyourcabin’sroof.Gray-waterrecyclingsystemsaredesignedtocapturethiswastewater,filterit,andstoreitforfutureuse.Thoughfiltered,itshouldnotbeconsumed.However,itcanbeusedtowateragardenorflushatoilet.

Localbuildingcodesusuallyincludespecificationsforthedesignand

installationofgray-waterrecyclingsystems.Ingeneral,suchsystemsaremadeupofthreecomponents:

Afiltertoremoveanysolidmatterfromthewater(thesmallfoamfiltersusedasprefiltersforfishpondsadaptwelltofilteringgraywater)

Alargeholdingtanktostorethewater

Apumpandplumbingsystemtomovethegraywatertowhereitisneeded

Toreduceyoursystem’sgray-waterload,youcanmovebothshowersandsinksoutdoorssothattheyshedtheirwaterstraightontotheground.Inwarmweatherthismakesalotofsense.

ENERGYINDEPENDENCE

MANYSMALLCABINBUILDERSAREATTRACTEDTOOFF-THE-GRIDENERGYSYSTEMS.

Theymaybebuildingacabininanareawhereconventionalelectricserviceisnotavailableorunreliable,orperhapstheideaoflivingwithoutautilitybillsoundsgoodtothem.Thesenseofenergyindependenceaffordedbyoff-the-gridsystemsappealstoourpioneerspiritandneedtofeelincontrolofourlives.

Smallcabinsareidealforadaptationtooff-the-gridenergysystems.Comparedtohomesorevenlargercabins,theyareeasiertoheatandcool,requiringlessenergyforeitherendeavor.Theyrequirelesslightingandhavefewerandgenerallysmallerappliances,thereforeconsuminglesselectricity.Bathingfacilitiesaresmallerandrequirelesshotandcoldwaterandsmallersepticsystems.You’llfindseveraldesignsforoff-the-gridcabinsattheendofthischapter,andalmostallofthedesignsinchapter1canbeadaptedtobeoffthegrid.

Designingforenergyefficiencyisanessentialaspectofachievingenergyindependence,anditjustmakesplaingoodsenseevenifyoudon’tintendtoliveoffthegrid.We’lltalkaboutwaystoimprovetheefficiencyofanycabinlaterinthischapter.

DESIGNINGANOFF-THE-GRIDSYSTEMOff-the-gridenergysystemsfallintoseveralgeneralcategories:

Solar-poweredsystems

Wind-poweredsystems

Water-poweredsystems

Generator-basedsystems

Hybridsystems(utilizingmorethanonetypeofalternativeenergytechnology)

Thetermoffthegridusuallyreferstoenergysystemsthatprovideelectricity.Manyofthesesystemscandomorethanthat,however.Solarcollectors,for

example,canbeusedtoheatwater,whichinturncanbeusedtoheatacabin.Windpowercanbeusedtopumpwater.Andthesesystemsmaycombinevariousoff-the-gridtechnologieswithon-the-gridelectricalsupplies.Theyalsomaybeusedinconjunctionwithotheralternativetechnologies,suchasheatingwithwoodorusingpropane(orLP)topowerarefrigeratororfurnace.

Workingwithprofessionalsoff-the-gridenergysystemscompaniesareexpertsinthedesignandinstallationofcustomsystems.Somespecializeinjustonetypeofenergy,suchassolarorwindpower;othershaveabroaderreach.Theycanadviseyouaboutthecomponentsyouwillneedandwhatwillworkbestonyourspecificsite.Unlessyou’reasolar/windexpertyourself,itpaystogettheadviceofsomeonewhois.Manysolar/windcompaniescansellyouacompletesystemforlessthanyouwouldpayfortheindividualcomponents.

EvaluatingLocalConditions

Whenchoosinganddesigninganoff-the-gridsystem,itisimportanttodesigntolivenotonlyinanenvironmentbutalsowithanenvironment.Localconditionswilldetermineyourbestcourseofaction.Yourbuildingsitemusthavesufficientsunexposureforsolarcellstobeeffective,enoughwindforwindgenerators,andadequatewaterflowforwater-poweredgenerators.

TheU.S.DepartmentofEnergyprovidesonlinewindandsolarmapsfortheentirecountry.Thoughagoodstartingplace,theinformationisonlygeneralandconditionsatyoursitemightvarygreatly.Forexample,largeshadetreesonabuildingsiteorasitelocatedinadeepvalleywillinfluencehowmuchsunisavailableforsolarpanels.Furthermore,seasonalchangesaltertheintensityofboththesunandwinds.Winterusuallymeanslesssunbutmorewind.Insummer,thereverseistherule.Soifyouintendtouseyourcabinmainlyinthewinter,windpowermaybeagoodchoice.Solarpower,ontheotherhand,maybeabetterchoiceifyou’regoingtouseyourcabinmainlyinthesummer.

Ifyoursitedoesn’thavegoodaccesstosun,wind,orwaterpower,thatdoesn’tmeanyoucan’thaveatleastsomeindependencefromthegrid.YoumayinthiscaseneedtorelyongeneratorspoweredbyLPortheelectricgrid.

Moststateshavecountyagriculturalagentswhoassistfarmersandotherswithquestionsandproblemspertainingtolanduseandcrops.Countyagentsarenotexpertsinenergyuseoralternativeenergy;however,theycanbeagoodresourceindirectingyoutolocalpeopleoragenciesthatcanhelpyoudeterminewhatsystemwillworkbestinagivenlocale.Stateconservationandnaturalresourcesdepartmentscanalsobevaluableresourcesinfindingappropriatetechnologies,ascanlocalcollegeanduniversityarchitectureandcivilengineeringdepartments.Thesecretistoaskandthenaskwhereelseyoumight

look.Anumberofcompaniesareinthebusinessofdesigningandsellingoff-the-

gridsystems.Mostwillofferadviceandconsultations,aswellascustom-designsystemstomeetyourneeds.Localcompaniesareperhapsyourbestresource,astheywillbefamiliarwithlocalconditionsandbuildingcodes.

BuytheBestBatteriesmyexperiencehasbeenthatbatteriesaretheweaklinkinoff-the-gridelectricalsystems,havingtobereplacedeverytwotothreeyears.Soitpaystobuythebestbatteriesyoucanaffordatthetime.Mostofthecompaniesthatsellwindgenerationandsolarelectricequipmenthavebatteriesavailable.Someofferbatteriesspecificallymanufacturedfortheseapplications.

TheBasicSetup

Mostoff-the-gridelectricalsystemsaremadeupofthefollowingcomponents:

Agenerationsource.Eithersolar-electricpanelsorwindgenerators,oracombinationofthetwo.Itcouldbewaterpowered.Theideaistogenerateelectricity.

Anenergystoragesystem.Usuallyaseriesofdeepcycleorgolfcartbatteriesconnectedtothesystem.Thebatteriesallowyoutostorethepoweryougenerateforthosetimeswhenyournaturalpowersource(suchassunlight)isnotavailable.

Aninverter.Adevicethatconvertsthe12-,24-,or36-voltDCcomingfromthestoragebatteriesintousable110-to120-voltACneededbymoststandardhomeappliances.

Abackupgenerator.Ageneratorthatcantakeoverwhennaturalconditionsfailtoproducesufficientelectricitytorunacabinandcanchargestoragebatteries.Chargingstoragebatterieswithageneratorisusuallydoneintheoffhourswhenthenoiseofageneratorrunningisnotbothersome.

Aninterfaceconnector.Adevicethatcaninterfacewiththeconventionalpowergrid.Thisinterfacecanswitchyouonoroffthegrid.Anumberofhybridsystemsuseaninterfaceconnectortocombinegridelectricitywithon-sitegeneratedsources.Somesystemscanreturnsurpluselectricalcapacitybacktothegridtoreducegridelectricalcosts.

SizingtheSystem

Off-the-gridpowersystemsareusuallydesignedbywattageoutput.Off-the-grid

powersystemsgenerallyrangefrom300to15,000wattsforhomeorcabinuse.Generallyyoupayforwatts.Thatis,asthecapacitytogenerateandstorelargeramountsofelectricityincreases,sodoestheprice.Smallsystemsareinexpensive,but300wattsisnotalotofelectricity.Theaveragehouseholdwalloutlethasabout1,500wattsofelectricityavailable.

Youmustcarefullycalculatethesizeofthesystemyouneedbeforepurchasingandinstallingoff-the-gridcomponents.Energyuseiscalculatedinwatts.Applianceshavelabelslistingtheirwattrequirements.Tofigureouthowmanywattsyouneed,totalthewattrequirementsofyourlightingsystem;addtherequirementsofanyappliancessuchasradios,televisions,andrefrigerator;andaddtherequirementsofyourutilitysystems,suchasyourwatersystemandheatingsystem.Youprobablywillnotusealloftheseenergy-consumingdevicesatonetime.Youraveragemaximumneedmaybesomewherebetween75and80percentofthisnumber.Asystemdesignedtoproduceenoughenergyforthisnumbershouldallowyoutolivecomfortablyinanoff-the-gridcabin.

HeatFromHot-WaterCirculationAlternativeenergytechnologiescanfunctioninmultipleways.Howyouimplementthemdependsonyourneedsandassets.Forexample,solarhotwatersystemsprovidehotwaterforbathinganddishes.Solarhotwatersystemswithverylargestoragetankscanalsobeusedforspaceheatingoncoolnightsiftheyarecoupledtoconventionalhotwaterbaseboardunits(orevenold-fashionedradiators).Thesystemcanbegravity-fedorthehotwatercanbecirculatedwithasmallelectricpump.Ifthehotwaterstoragetankisbelowthelevelofthebaseboardunitorradiator,hotwaterwillriseintotheradiatorandthecoldwaterwillsettleandreturntothetankinaloopsystem.Aclimatewithhot,sunnydaysandcoolnightswouldbeanexcellentsettingforthissortofsolar-heatedwaterandnighttimeheatingarrangement.

Ofcourse,youmayneedtochangeyourenergyusehabits.Ioncehadacabinwithawindgeneratorandstoragebatterysystemforitselectricalsupply.Oneofmygreatpleasureswaswatchingthemorningnewsandweatheroverfreshlybrewedcoffee.Thesystemwouldnotsupportboththetelevisionandtheelectriccoffeemakeratthesametime,soIwouldn’tturnonthetelevisionuntilthecoffeewasbrewed.OnedayitdawnedonmethatIcouldhavemycoffeeandweathertoo.Iboughtaplunge-typecoffeemakerandheatedthewaterforitonmygasstove.Itwasasimpleandsmalladjustmentwithoutanysacrificeoflifestyle.

FlexibilityandGrowth

Awell-designedoff-the-gridsystemshouldallowsomeflexibilityinhowyouimplementthesystem.Flexibilityistheonesingleelementthatmakesoff-the-gridsystemssuccessfulovertime.Awell-designedoff-the-gridsystemshouldalsoallowforthepossibilityoffuturegrowth.Forexample,youshouldbeable

toaddmorestoragebatteries,moresolar-electricpanels,orabiggerbackupgenerator.Thisforesightmaymeanthatsomepartsofthesystemhavegreatercapacitythanyouimmediatelyneed.Yoursystemcontrollerandinverter,forexample,maybetoolargeforyourcurrentneeds,buttheywillallowfortheadditionoflargerormoreelementslateron.

Installingextra12-voltwiringcircuitsandalargecontrolpanelbeforethewallsareenclosedwillmakeiteasytoaddonlater;retrofittingwiringintoanexistingcabincanbetime-consuming,expensive,andmessy.Themantraofagoodoff-the-gridsystemdesignerislookahead,planahead.

Windgeneratorsarehardtoupgradeorreplace.Ifyou’reinvestinginwindpower,Irecommendbuyingthelargestcapacitywindgeneratoryoucanaffordandthenbuildinguptherestofyoursystemtomatchoverseveralyears.

HybridSystems

Hybridoff-the-gridsystemshaveadvantagesoversystemsthatrelyonasingleenergysource.Awindgeneratorisonlygoodwhenthewindblows.Ahybridsystemofawindgeneratorandagas-poweredportablegeneratorhasanobviousadvantage.

Twoimportantfactorsfavorhybridsystems.Thefirstisflexibility:nothavingtorelyonanysingleelementofthesystemforeveryneedmakesthesystemmoreflexibleandlesspronetofailure.Second,hybridsystemscantakeadvantageofresourcesinawaythatsingle-energysystemscannot.Ahybridsystemcanbecustom-designedtotakeadvantageofsiteresourcesandthespecificneedsofthecabindesigner.

WORKINGWITHDIRECTCURRENTStoragebatteriesacceptandreleaseelectricityintheformofDC.MosthouseholdappliancesrunonAC.Forthisreasonmostoff-the-gridenergysystemsuseaninvertertotransformthebatteries’DCintohouseholdAC.

However,theconversionofDCtoACresultsinalossofelectricalenergy,usuallyintheformofheatthatisventilatedfromtheinverter.Giventheenergylossinconversionandthecostoflarge-capacityinverters,DC-poweredcomponentsmakealotofsense.TheRVindustryhasdevelopedahostoflightingfixturesandappliancesthatoperateon12-voltDC.(FormoreinformationaboutDCcomponentsfromtheRVindustry,seechapter6.)

ThemajorshortcomingofDCsystemsisthattransmittingDCoverlongdistancesresultsinalargeenergylossandisthereforeimpractical.Becausethe

transmissiondistanceofelectricityinahomepowergridisshort,thislossisnotusuallyafactor.

Anovelapproachtopoweringacabinwouldbetousegridelectricitytochargestoragebatteries.Thesebatteriesthenwouldoperatea12-voltDClightingandappliancesystem.Thismaysoundlikeitdoesn’tmakesense,butlet’sexamineitalittlefurther.Therearetwoadvantagestothistypeofsystem:

Thechargingcanbedoneinoff-peakhours,whengridelectricitycanbepurchasedmostcheaply.

Inremoteareaswherethegridelectricalsystemisunreliable,thissetupprovidesaconsistent,reliableenergysource.

Hybridsystemsthatcombineconventionalgrid-supplied110-to120-voltACenergyandlocallyproduced12-voltDCenergytopowerDCcomponentsoffertheleastexpensivereliablesysteminremoteareas.Afriendofmineownsahouseboatandusesthiskindofahybridsystemtorunhiselectricalandappliancesystem,whichoperateson12-voltDC.Hehasinstalledalarge-capacity12-voltDCalternatoronthedieselengineofthehouseboatsothattheenginecanchargehisstoragebatterieswhileitisoperating.Thecontroller/inverterpanelofhisboatcanalsobepluggedintothegridsystemwhentheboatisdocked,convertingthegrid’sACpowertoDCtopowerthebatteries.WhetherheistieduptohisdockorcruisingtheChesapeakeBay,hiselectricalandappliancesystemoperatesinthesameconsistentway.

TravelingLightIhaveasmalltraveltrailerthatIuseinvolunteerconservationwork.Icombineasmallgasoline-poweredgeneratorwithtwoportablesolar-electricpanels.Thecombinationofsolar-electricpanelsandthegeneratorhasallowedmetoliveforasmuchasnineweeksoffthegrid.Onasunnyday,thesolar-electricpanelsdoanicejobofchargingthetrailerbatteries.Onrainyorcloudydays,Iwillneedtorunthegeneratorforabouttwohourseachdaytochargethebatteries.

Thewatersysteminthetrailerrunsona12-voltpump.Thelightingandfansarealso12-volt.ThestoveisLPgas,andtherefrigeratorisamultiplefuelunit,whichusuallyrunsonLPgas.Thetrailerbatteriesaretwo12-voltdeepcyclemarinebatteries(secondsfromalocalbatterymanufacturingcompany).OneIcandetachanduseincombinationwithanelectrictrollingmotorforasmallboat.ThehotwatersystemisalsoLPgaspowered.Theelectronicignitionsystemonthisheateris12volt.ThefurnaceinthetrailerisLPgas,controlledwitha12-voltthermostatandignitionsystem.Allofthesystemsinthistrailercouldbeduplicatedandproduceareliableutilitysystemforasmalloff-the-gridcabin.

Inacabin,asimilarsetupwouldcombineanoff-the-gridpowersystemandconventionalgrid-basedelectricity.Forexample,thecabincouldbepoweredbyawindturbine,whichchargesstoragebatteriestopowerDCappliancesandutilities.Forthosetimeswhenwindpowerislow,thecabinwouldalsobetied

intotheconventionalelectricalgrid,whichwouldalso—throughaninverter—chargethestoragebatteries.(Andforthosetimeswhenwindpowerisplentiful,thecabinownermightbeabletosellpowerfromthecabin’sbatteriestotheelectricgrid.)Thecabinbenefitsfromhavingredundantpowersources,givingtheownerbothmoresecurityandmoreflexibility.

PASSIVESOLARHEATINGCabinbuilderswhoplantouseoff-the-gridcabinsincolderweathershouldconsiderpassivesolarheating.Passivesolarheatingsystemsarepassivebecausetheyrequirenoenergyinput.Theyaredistinguishedfromactivesolarsystemsinthatactivesystemsrequiresomeenergyinputtopowerpumpsorfanstocirculatehotwaterormovehotair.Passivesystemsrelyinsteadontwostructuralfeatures:alargesolarglazingareacoupledwithaheatsink.

Formosthomesandcabins,alargesolarglazingareaequatestolargeglasswindowsfacingasouthernexposure.Thesewindowsmaximizesunlightenteringthehome,helpingtoheatit.Tominimizeheatlossincoldweather,thewindowsshouldhaveahighRfactorandbefittedwithinsulatedblinds,shutters,orcurtainsthatcanbeclosedatnight.Passivesolarcabinsusuallyhaveroofswithlargeoverhangsthataredesignedtoexcludeintensesummersunbutallowwintersunlighttoenterthecabin.

Aheatsinkisastructurethatabsorbsheatandreleasesitslowly.Usuallyitisathickenergy-absorbingfloorinadarkcolor.HereinPennsylvania,thickslatefloortilesareanexcellentchoice;theycanbesetinamortarbaseandactasanaturalheatsink.Flagstonetileflooringisanotherexcellentchoice.Somepassiveheatingdesignersusecontainersfilledwithwatertoabsorbheat.Thesecontainersareusually50-gallondrumspaintedblackandarrangedinalineclosetotheglazingarea.(Suchwater-filleddrumswouldneedtobedrainedinthewintertoavoidburstingduringafreeze.)Asecondaryorgray-watersystemcouldbepositionedandusedaspartofapassivesolarheatingsystem.

Passivesolarsystemscanberuninreverseandusedtoprovidesomedaytimecooling.Inhotweather,shuttersorblindscanbeclosedtolimitsolargainbyblockinglightfromenteringduringpeakdaylighthours.Theheatsinkwillabsorbmuchoftheheatinthecabin.Atnight,thebuildingisopenedupandtheheatsinkisallowedtocool.

ENERGY-SAVINGIDEASFORCABINSOfcoursethefirststepindesigninganoff-the-gridsystem—orindeedevenan

on-the-gridsystem—shouldbetominimizeyourcabin’senergyusage.Aplanwillminimizenotonlythenaturalresourcesyouconsume,butalsoyourlong-termcosts.

Manyfederal,state,andlocalprogramsprovidetaxrelieforgrantsforenergy-savingmeasureshomeownersorhomebuildersmaytake.Askaroundtofindoutwhatprogramsareavailableinyourarea.TheDatabaseofStateIncentivesforRenewablesandEfficiency(www.dsireusa.org)isoneplacetostart.

Insulation

UsethehighestR-valueinsulationyoucanaffordatthetimeofbuilding.Insulatewalls,roofsorattics,foundations,andanyopening:wallswitches,outlets,windowanddoorframes,andsoon.Ahousewrapappliedoverthewallsheathingduringconstructionwillkeepthewindoutandisalsoagoodmoisturebarriertoprotectagainstdampness.

Inacolderclimate,IwouldconsiderwindowswithahighRfactor.Youmightalsoconsiderstormwindowstoplaceoverthermopanewindowstoconserveevenmoreenergy.

Wind-poweredirrigationFromthemid-1970stothemid-1980s,Iownedaworkingfarm.Thewatersourceforthefarmwasalargespring.Ibuiltanundergroundcisterntocapturerunoffwaterleavingthespring.Atalocaljunkyard,Ifoundawindpump,originallydesignedtopumpwater,withitspumpmechanismmissing.Ierectedthetowerandrotorandinstalledatruckalternatorconnectedtotherotorwithseveralpulleys(tostepuptherpms).Iaddedasolar-electricpaneltothesystem.Iconnectedthealternatorandsolarpaneltoseveraldeepcyclebatteriesthroughthetruckvoltageregulatorandacontrolsystemtokeepthebatteriesfrombeingovercharged.Ithencoupledthispowersystemwitha12-voltDCwaterpumpandadripirrigationsystemfromanRV.Althoughthiswasaprimitivesystem,itwateredmygardennicelyfortheeightyearsIownedthatfarm.

Somehomeownershavebeenknowntocomplainthatanairtighthomedoesn’tbreatheproperlyandcangetstuffyandstale.Butanairtightcabinissimplymoreenergyefficient;youcancrackawindowifyouwantfreshair.

Besuretoinsulateyourhotwaterheater.Ifindthehotwaterinsulationkitsonthemarkettobetoothin.Instead,Iusuallyusethe5½-inchinsulationdesignedforusewith6-inch-thickwallconstruction.Alsoinsulatehotwaterpipes.Agreatdealofheat(andenergy)islostinhotwaterpipesbeforethewaterisdeliveredtothefaucet.

CeilingFans

Ceilingfanscandoalottokeepacabincomfortable.Mostceilingfansoperateatseveralspeeds.Theyalsohavereverseswitches.Inthesummer,theyarealess

http://www.dsireusa.org

expensivealternativetoairconditioning.Inthewinter,theycanbereversedandrunatlowspeedtodrawwarmairfromceilingsandcirculateitdownthewalls.

LowerThermostats

Ifyourcabinheatisthermostatcontrolled,thetemperatureduringthedaydoesnotneedtobesetabove65degrees.Atnightitcanbeloweredto60degrees.Infact,withanelectricblanket,sleeperscanbecomfortablein45-degreetemperatures.

Aprogrammablethermostatisagoodidea.Theycanbesettoreducetemperaturesduringthenightandreturntemperaturestonormaljustbeforeyougetoutofbed.

Ilikesleepinginsleepingbags,whetherinatent,trailer,orcabin.Iprefersleepingbagsthatarecanvasontheoutsideandlinedwithflannel.Ihaveseveral:alightweightsummerbag,a20-degreebag,andanarctic–40-degreebag.Incoolweather,Iunzipthebagsandsleepononeandcovermyselfwiththeother.Whennightsarearound40degreesIsleepontopofthearcticbagandusethe20-degreebagforaquilt.InverycoldweatherIreversethesleepingbags.Whensleepingtemperaturesarenear20degreesorlower,Iusethesummerbagasalinerinthearcticbagandzipthembothup.WithawoolcaponmyheadIhavesleptinsnowcavescomfortably.

WaterlessorLow-Water-Usetoilets

Low-gallons-per-flush(low-GPF)toiletscansavewater,energy,andsepticsystemuse.Thenewlow-GPFtoiletsonthemarkettodayworkremarkablybetterthanthedesignsof20yearsago.

Anevenbetteroptionwouldbeawaterlesstoilet,sometimescalledacompostingtoilet.Seechapter6formoredetails.

Heating/CoolingSystemMaintenance

Regularyearlycleaningofallthepartsofyourheatingorcoolingsystemwillincreaseitsefficiencyandreduceenergyuse.Keepchimneys,stovepipes,andfurnacefiltersclean.Keepairducts,radiators,andfanscleanandfreefromblockages.Remember,heathastocirculatetobeeffective.

Lighting

Thefluorescentsoftodayareofamuchhigherqualitythanthoseofevenjustafewyearsago,andtheyaremuchmoreenergyefficientthanincandescentbulbs.Light-emittingdiode(LED)lightingisanotherexcellentoption,becauseofitsmiserlyuseofenergyandextremelylonglife.TheseLEDsareveryefficient

becausetheydonotproducemuchheat;nearly100percentoftheelectricitytheyconsumeisconvertedintolightenergy.

ShadeTrees

Thebestwaytoreducecoolingcostsinthesummeriswithshadetrees.Properlysited,theywillblocksunlightfromfallingonyourcabinroof.Treesabsorbthesun’senergytocarryoutphotosynthesis,convertingitintocarbohydratesinsteadoflettingitmakeyourcabinhot.Innorthernclimates,deciduoustreesareagoodchoice,astheywillshedtheirleavesinthecoldermonthsandallowforsolarheatingofyourcabin.

AvoidEnergyHogs

Alwayspurchaseenergy-efficientappliances(EnergyStarrated,ifpossible),eventhesmallcountertoponessuchastoasters,coffeemakers,andsoon.Afewpenniessavedonelectricitytooperateatoastereachmonthmaynotseemlikemuch,butoverthelifeofthetoaster,itwillpayforthetoaster.That’slikegettingatoasterforfree!

Clothesdryersareabsoluteenergyhogs.Instead,investinaclothesdryingrackoraclothesline.Insummer,youcanhangyourclothesoutdoorsonaclothesline.(Youcantakeitdownwhenit’snotinuseifyouwant.)Inwinter,setupyourclothesdryingracknearyourstoveorfurnaceandyourclotheswillbedryinnotime.Iliketodryclothingonaclotheslineinthecellaruntilit’salmostdry.Ithenpoptheclothesinthedryerwithadryersheetandtheycomeoutinafewminutesdry,wrinklefree,andsmellinggood.

Airconditioningisoneofthelargestenergyusersinthehome.Minimizingoreliminatingairconditioningisagreatwaytosaveenergy.Goodnaturalventilationandinsulationwillgoalongwaytoeliminatetheneedforairconditioning.Theextrainsulationwillalsosaveenergyinthewintermonths.Ceilingfansusefarlessenergythandoairconditioners,andtheycanberuninreverseinthewintertocirculatewarmairofftheceilinganddownthewalls.Sleepingporchesareagreatwaytobeattheheatwithoutairconditioning.ThehouseIcurrentlyliveinhasalarge,enclosedbackporch.Thewindowsoftheporchallowittobeusedcomfortablyinallbutthecoldestweather.OneofmyguiltypleasuresistosleepthereonhotAugustnights.Withasleepingbagonthepulloutsofainthesittingarea,I’mhappyandcomfortablethereonthehottestofnights.Iawaketotherisingsunandthebirdsatthebirdfeeder.

GREENBUILDINGGreenbuildingisthenewmantraofarchitecture.Andcabindesignersand

builderswhoareinterestedinoff-the-gridpowersystemsarealsousuallyinterestedingreenbuilding.Greenbuildingisbasedonseveralprinciples:

Lowenvironmentalimpact:buildinginconcertwithnature,notinoppositiontonature

Energyefficiency:well-insulatedandlowenergyconsumingbuildings

Useofsustainableresourcesandmaterials:usingrenewablematerialswhereverpossible;avoidingpotentiallydangerousmaterialssuchasformaldehydeorozone-depletingmaterials

Useofsalvagedorrecycledmaterials:reusingmaterialstomakethemostoftheenergyandresourcesthatwentintoproducingthem

Long-rangeplanningforthegoodoftheplanet:habitatforpeople,includinglow-maintenanceplantsandlandscaping,andconsiderationforwaterdrainagefromalteredlandscapeareas(suchaslimitingpavingofsurfaceareas,whichdoesn’tallowwatertopercolateintotheground)

Costandfinancialbenefitsofgoinggreen:usingmaterialsthatneedlittleornomaintenanceandhavealonguselife

Designinnovation:realizingthatastructure’sfunctionisimportant;smallisbetterthanbig

Flexibleandrecyclablebuildings:buildingsthatevolvewithchangingneeds;allmaterialsthatgointothemshouldbeabletobeusedagainorrecycled

Localeconomies:buyinglocallyproducedproductswhereverpossible,bothtostimulatelocaleconomiesandtominimizethecostandresourcedepletionoftransportation

OFF-THE-GRIDMICROCABINThissmallcabin’sceilingheightis12feet,whichmakesitfeelmuchlargerthanitis.Italsofeaturesanoutsidesinkandshower,perfectforshoweringanddishwashinginwarmclimates.Thecabin’sdimensionsallowittobeconstructedoff-siteandtraileredtothebuildingsite.

features

136squarefeet

Halfkitchen

Halfbath

Sleeps2


Canbebuiltoff-siteandtraileredin


OFF-THE-GRIDSHIPPINGCONTAINERCABINLiketheplansfeaturedinchapter4,thisdesignmakesuseofashippingcontainerasitsbase,withaframeaddedon.Inthiscasetheframecomprisesaporchandoutdoorwashing-upspace,whichtogethermakethecabinidealaccommodationsforwarmweather.

Features

160squarefeet

Halfkitchen

Halfbath

Sleeps2




OFF-THE-GRIDEMERSONCABINThefirstfloorofthiscabinisonly144squarefeet.Itmaynotseemlikemuch,butHenryDavidThoreaulivedandworkedfortwoyears,twomonths,andtwodaysina150-foot-squarecabinonthepropertyofhisfriendRalphWaldoEmerson.Ifhecandoit,socanyou.

Features

240squarefeet

Halfkitchen

Halfbath

Sleeps2to4



OFF-THE-GRIDPASSIVESOLARCABINAThiscabinisonly322squarefeet,buttheloftceilingheightmakesitfeelmuchlarger.Thepassivesolarfeatureisalargeglasswindowopeningintothelivingspace.Spaceheatingisprovidedbyawood-burningstove.

Features

460squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Three-quarterbath

Sleeps2to4




OFF-THE-GRIDPASSIVESOLARCABINBThiscabinhasthesamefloorprintandpassivesolardesignastheprecedingplan,butwithadifferentinteriorlayout.Thepointisthatanycabindesigncanbechangedtoaccommodatethedifferentneedsofdifferentsitesandthepreferencesoftheowner.

features

460squarefeet

Fullkitchen

Three-quarterbath

Sleeps2to4




ALPHABETICALLISTINGOFPLANS

AdirondackTwigCabin,36–37BaerRocksCabin,24–25BaerRocksShippingContainerCabin,160–61BajaCabin,92–93ACabinforTwo,82–83TheClassic,100–101ClassicSixtiesA-Frame,26–27ClearCreekShippingContainerCabin,156–57ClerestoryCabinwithDiningRoom,88–89Double-DeckerBeachHouse,102–3EndlessMountainsMicroCabin,16–17EndlessMountainViewCabin,96–97FamilyCabin,106–7FireplaceCabin,84–85Four-SeasonMiniCabin,42–43FurnaceCreekCabin,56–57Glass-FrontBeachHouse,98–99GlassHouseCabin,64–65GreatOutdoorsMiniCabin,38–39HighKnobCabin,20–21Jean’sRunCabin,78–79LakesideMiniCabin,52–53LaurelMountainCabin,104–5LittlePineCreekCabin,60–61LoyalSockCabin,34–35MicroCabin,10–11MicroCabinwithLoft,28–29MicroCabinwithOutdoorCloset,14–15MicroClerestoryCabin,18–19MiniClerestoryCabin,32–33

ModernistShippingContainerCabin,154–55ModifiedA-FrameCabin,66–67Off-the-GridEmersonCabin,208–9Off-the-GridMicroCabin,204–5Off-the-GridPassiveSolarCabinA,210–11Off-the-GridPassiveSolarCabinB,212–13Off-the-GridShippingContainerCabin,206–7OhioPyleCabin,46–47Open-LivingMiniCabin,76–77PersonalCabin,12–13PikeCountyClassicCabin,40–41PineCreekCabin,80–81PoconoPinesCabin,72–73PoconosCabin,94–95PoconoWoodsCabin,108–9PorchLifeMicroCabin,22–23QuonsetCabin,74–75RicketsGlenCabin,62–63RoundHouseCabin,50–51RV-BasedForksvilleCabin,174–75RV-BasedMicroCabin,172–73RV-BasedMiniCabin,176–77Solar-PoweredMicroCabin,30–31SpringCreekCabin,86–87SunroomCabin,90–91TrailerableMiniCabin,58–59Trailer-WideCabin,48–49Two-StoryLakesideCabin,68–69Two-StoryShippingContainerCabin,158–59WedgeCabin,54–55WoodsCabinintheRound,44–45YurtCabin,70–71

INDEX

Pagenumbersinitalicsindicateillustrations.

A-frameplans,26,26–27,27,66,66–67,67appliances,169–71,172,176,197,201–2

Bathrooms,9,136,136,137–39,142,145,145,150,170batterysystems,170,195,197–98beds,131,131,143,143,174buildingcodes,local,113buildingmaterials,118,162–67,202–3buildingsite,114–15,151,194

Campmodules,145,145cathedralceilings,62,62–63,63,83,87,87,127cellars,42,43,125–26chimneys,178compactcabins,9,78–109,158–61compostingtoilets,201,206concreteslab,125constructionmethods,118–25contractors,130cookstoves,182–83coolingsystems,187,201,202,211,213,213costs,6,115–16,151,163,164,166–67,203crawlspace,42,125–26,126

DC(directcurrent),170,197–98decks,modular,144design,110–31,163makingthemostof,126–31

modularapproach,7,132–47need-based,112–13

diningareas,104,104,170,171,171,172,172doors,65,72,72,73,106,106,129

Electricpowergrid,195,198elevations,7energyconservation/efficiency,167,199–202energysystems.Seeoff-the-gridsystemsexcavation,164–65

Fans,ceiling,200,202fireplaceinserts,185–86,186fireplaces,183–87,184,185fishingcabins,60,60–61,61floorplans,7,9foundations/footers,125–26,126,164–65

Garagedesigns,125generators,194,195gray-waterrecycling,191greatrooms,106,106–7,108,108–9,109greenbuilding,202–3

Heatingsystems,42,42,178–81,183,201electric,10,12,16,180gas-fired,16,28,54,172,180hotwater,38,50,50,64,66,180–81,181,196RVcomponents,42,42,178,180Seealsopassivesolarheating;woodstoves

heatsink,198–99hybridsystems,197,198

Insulation,199–200inverters,170,197

Kitchens,9,90,90,183modular,135,135,137–39,142,150

Labor,130,163,164–65ladders,128,128lighting,201livingareamodules,144,144lofts,128,128logcabins,119–20,120lumber,recycled,167

Manufacturedstructuralcomponents,148–61masonry,123,123,184,184–85,185metalbuildings,74,74–75,75,124,124microcabins,9,10–31,10–31,172–75,172–75,204–9,204–9minicabins,9,32–77,32–77off-the-grid,210–13,210–13RVcomponent-based,176,176–77,177shippingcontainer,154–57,154–57

modulardesign,7,132–47,144,146–47bathrooms,136,136,137,137–39,142,150,170bedrooms,140,140–42,143kitchens,135,135,137,137–39,145,145,150livingarea,144,144mix-and-matchmodules,134,134

Need-baseddesign,112–13

Off-sitebuilding,134Seealsomanufacturedstructuralcomponents;modulardesign

off-the-gridsystems,170,193–203microcabins,30,30–31,31,204–9minicabins,210–13,210–13RVcomponents,172–77,172–77shippingcontainers,154,154–55,155,158–61,158–61

outhouses,190–91

Passivesolarheating,125,198–99A-frames,27,27cathedralceilingwindows,86,86–87,87glass-frontcabins,64,64–65,65,98,98–99,99,104,104–5,105off-the-gridsystems,210,210–11,211roundcabins,44,44–45,45sunrooms,90–93,90–93windowplacementfor,22,23,54,54–55,55,96,96,128

patiodoors,65piers,31,31,46,46–47,47,125,164–65polebuildings,121–23,122,125porches,22,23,144,207,207double-decker,103,103glassed-in,104,104–5,105screened,32,33,33,39,39,41,41sleeping,202storagelockers,11,11,14,15,15,31,31,44–45,45twigstylesupports,36,37,37

post-and-beamconstruction,119,119,125

Quonsethuts,74,74–75,75,124,124

Refrigerators,170,187roundcabins,44,44–45,45,50,50–51,51,70,70–71,71Russianstoves,185,185

RVcomponents,38,130–31,172–77,197–98appliances,169–71,172,176,182,187heatingsystems,42,42,178,180off-the-gridplans,204–13,204–13waterpumpsandtanks,188

Saltboxstyle,80shippingcontainers,152–61,154–61,206,206–7,207ship’sladder,28,78,78,128,210,210,212shojiscreens,129,129sleepingaccommodations,9Seealsolofts

slidingscreensanddoors,106smallspaces,6–7,111solarpower,194–98Seealsooff-the-gridsystems;passivesolarplans

spatubs,64,82,82,100,100stagingaproject,165–66staircases,68,68,94,94,128steepbuildingsites,24,25stick-builtbuildings,118stonebuildings,40,41,123,123storage,23,23,26,86,87,94,127battery,30,30,62,62,154,173,173,175,175,208,209,209,212,212bedroom,143,143forbuildingmaterials,166outdoor,11,11,14,14–15,15,34,34,35,38,38,39,44,44,45water,191

stoves,170,178,182–83Seealsowoodstoves

strawbaleconstruction,120–21,121structuralinsulatedpanels,149–50

sunrooms,90,90–93,91,92,93

Three-seasoncabins,117toilets,188–90,201,206transoms,179,179traveltrailers,167,198–99twigcabins,36,36–37,37

Utilities,169–71utilitycube,interior,117,117

Washingarea,outdoor,204,204,205,205,206,207wastewatersystems,188–90waterheaters,16,28,188,200heatingsystems,38,50,50,64,66,180–81,181,196RVcomponent,30,170solar,30,31,196,205,205

waterpumpsandtanks,187–88,191,200wildlife,114,126,126windows,73,73,127–28,167windpower,194,195,196,200woodstoves,167,177,177,178,183

Year-roundcabins,42,42–43,43,117,117

Documents

Compact Cabins: Simple Living in 1000 Square Feet or Less