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Aklogcabin
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# Posted: 13 Aug 2025 11:29am - Edited by: Aklogcabin
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Lots of different options on proper ways to build a cabin. And they are probably all OK for the person build it. The one that knows what they want. From cabin build out of recycled materials good enough for a hunting shack. To a small home that has to meet building codes. I remember back a few years. Fellow named Gary O was building great little cabins on skids. And was very respected.
For us, location made the biggest challenge. Remote. Snogo freight in the winter for 5-6 years and use a charter bush plane on floats in the summer And we're still 2 miles away. Phones kinda work, sometimes. If you don't have something you need for a project it's a big deal.
One of the biggest concerns was keeping bears from breaking in. And deep snow. So cabin floor is 4' up. Making pilings my preferred choice. I was able to score some used utility poles. Still in great condition. Had to do that work in the spring. And had issues with snogos breaking through the ice. Drilling holes with a 2 man auger. Set poles. I freighted in reddy mix. And used it to backfill. Any dirt out of the hole was frozen hard. I designed the roof with a 3' over hang so snow wouldn't pile on sides n rain stayed away from the pilings. Keeping them n sides dry.
Is there things I could have done different. Sure. But very happy and confident that cabin will be standing strong many years. And it provides us with a lot of great times. And now that I'm getting a bit oller having a comfortable cabin to hunt out of is nice. And those dreams we have about sharing with family are the best.
That little cabin in the middle of nowhere Alaska may not pass some building codes in the cities. But for in the bush providing our family with dreams. It is built just perfect, hope you're enjoying your cabins
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Fanman
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# Posted: 13 Aug 2025 09:17pm - Edited by: Fanman
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Quoting: Aklogcabin That little cabin in the middle of nowhere Alaska may not pass some building codes in the cities. But for in the bush providing our family with dreams. It is built just perfect, hope you're enjoying your cabins
I sure am, especially since I retired 3 months ago... I've only left the cabin for supplies, to go hiking, and a run back to the house every couple of weeks to mow the grass and pick up the mail. Our cabin isn't quite as remote as yours, constructed differently, and it too certainly wouldn't pass any modern building codes, but it's been standing for over 100 years.
Right now I'm sitting on the porch listening to the late summer evening bugs and the dripping from the earlier thunderstorms, which are always wonderful in the mountains.
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Aklogcabin
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# Posted: 14 Aug 2025 08:52am
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Nice story Fanman. And there has to be literally millions of other cottages, cabins n homes built then still standing strong. And helping folks be happy.
For me . I could care less about what folks build, it's their choice. It's more important that they just get out and enjoy life. Cabin life is great. And it's better than a tent.
I just want folks to get out n enjoy. I can't think of any cabins in AK that have a full foundation. Earthquake proof n such. But thousands of folks get out n enjoy the experience every day. Thankfull that they have what they do.
For folks wanting a certified engineer plan and contractors building their cabins, great. And very very expensive. But I just don't see that need for a cabin in the bush. And for what it's worth. I live in a country where I should have the opportunity to build my choice. If folks build poorly they probably realize it. And if folks know nothing about construction. They should probably be suggested to getting someone who does for advice. This should not be a government concern.
Again just my thoughts.
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 14 Aug 2025 09:10am
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Been at the cabin all week.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 14 Aug 2025 10:01am
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Im pretty much in agreement with all said. If we had been required to meet code; ie, build to the smallest allowed 'house specs' we never would have either our 1983 or this current (dif location) 2024 cabin and totally missed out on Quality Cabin Life Experiences.
This forum is a treasure 
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spencerin
Member
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# Posted: 15 Aug 2025 08:39pm
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Thankfully there are still some places/jurisdictions that don't enforce IRC (or have restrictions, covenants, or bylaws) so people can build small cabins and similar structures that are durable and safe but without the added cost and other burdens of code, of which I'm a beneficiary myself, too.
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daniey
Member
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# Posted: 19 Aug 2025 07:22am
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Quoting: Fanman Lots of different options on proper ways to build a cabin. And they are probably all OK for the person build it. The one that knows what they want. From cabin build out of recycled materials good enough for a hunting shack. To a small home that has to meet building codes. I remember back a few years. Fellow named Gary O was building great little cabins on skids. And was very respected. For us, location made the biggest challenge. Remote. Snogo freight in the winter for 5-6 years and use a charter bush plane on floats in the summer And we're still 2 miles away. Phones kinda work, sometimes. If you don't have something you need for a project it's a big deal. One of the biggest concerns was keeping bears from breaking in. And deep snow. So cabin floor is 4' up. Making pilings my preferred choice. I was able to score some used utility poles. Still in great condition. Had to do that work in the spring. And had issues with snogos breaking through the ice. Drilling holes with a 2 man auger. Set poles. I freighted in reddy mix. And used it to backfill. Any dirt out of the hole was frozen hard. I designed the roof with a 3' over hang so snow wouldn't pile on sides n rain stayed away from the pilings. Keeping them n sides dry. Is there things I could have done different. Sure. But very happy and confident that cabin will be standing strong many years. And it provides us with a lot of great times. And now that I'm getting a bit oller having a comfortable cabin to hunt out of is nice. And those dreams we have about sharing with family are the best. That little cabin in the middle of nowhere Alaska may not pass some building codes in the cities. But for in the bush providing our family with dreams. It is built just perfect, hope you're enjoying your cabins
Really enjoyed reading about your experience building that cabin. Remote locations definitely add a whole new layer of difficulty not just materials, but also logistics and weather conditions. Your use of utility poles for pilings and the roof overhang design was a smart move, especially considering the snow and bear concerns.
In my experience working with construction estimating services, one of the biggest hurdles in projects like these is planning material quantities and freight costs ahead of time, since you don’t have the luxury of “running to the store.” Sounds like you managed that part really well by staging materials in advance and adapting to the conditions.
Honestly, even if it doesn’t pass city code, a cabin like that tailored for its environment and purpose is perfect. Strong, practical, and filled with memories.
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Aklogcabin
Member
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# Posted: 19 Aug 2025 09:37am - Edited by: Aklogcabin
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Thanks for the atta boy ! As you wrote. Around here the environment around the cabin. Well remote Ak. Based at foothills of Mt McKinley. Staked 20 acres way back. Being in the outdoors is kinda important to me and I wanted to be able to enjoy the experience as we got oller. And as a 21 year old when I got here. I wanted to build a log cabin in the bush. Always did. Lots of time planning. I didn't want a post in the middle of the cabin. 16x24. So used glue lams to create a grid to support the upper level and use as a structured component. They are mortised into the log walls and I used 16' TnG pine boards the full width. At 8' up I used a 8" wide log creating a ledgure to secure the TnG to. Tying the cabin together. Used 16' 2x12 with 12/12 pitch. With the 10' walls there is plenty of head room upstairs.
And for what it's worth. When I'm there I just think about ways to make things better. Hopefully get out there later this week n get some moose, bear hunting in. And a new dock n well n yeah. Should just sit on the deck. Chill out.
And just my dream. We're all different. I've got some building background so did my things. Most important to me is seeing folks, and their kids grandkids outdoors. Doesn't matter if it's a tarp tent. It's your dreams. Cabin life is a great time
Great one
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Hanging with Jordan from Alone TV show
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Campfires are always great
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Bush life
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 19 Aug 2025 04:37pm
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Been lucky here with inspectors but just today the ‘Wildfire inspection” crew came by to look the place over. Something the county or state put together, going through the towns. Knew they were coming, out picking up twigs… they just said my firewood is uncovered, lp tanks outside, couple other things. full report in a couple weeks so if you don’t hear from me I’m in jail.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 19 Aug 2025 05:50pm
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Let see....we aren't supposed to keep LP tanks inside and they said you have your tanks outside...Ummm, like that's wrong?
Where ya suppose to put em?
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 19 Aug 2025 07:44pm
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Don’t know yet. My hearing is so bad I only heard him blabbing about the tanks It will be in the written document in two weeks, along with my eviction orders.. they are just 5 gallon tanks with the regular rubber hoses and regulators, running to metal conduit.
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Grizzlyman
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# Posted: 19 Aug 2025 09:20pm
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paulz
Uncovered firewood!!you monster!! Hope you get a ticket!!
…Un-f@£&ng-real
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 19 Aug 2025 09:44pm - Edited by: paulz
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From their website:
I might be near 30’ for some
This is the second time these guys have come through. A couple years ago I did have the firewood covered with cheap regular blue tarps you buy anywhere. Can’t have those they said, not ember proof.
Same deal happened to my neighbor lady. She bought those fancy ember proof covers, very pricey.
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jsahara24
Member
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2025 08:20am
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That would definitely annoy me......
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Fanman
Member
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2025 08:29am
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Quoting: paulz ...they are just 5 gallon tanks with the regular rubber hoses and regulators, running to metal conduit.
Rubber hoses are not allowed for connection of tanks to buildings. And if they're 5 gallon tanks with rubber hoses, I presume they're single stage barbecue regulators, which are also not allowed for a permanent installation.
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2025 09:26am - Edited by: paulz
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Here’s what I’m using. The one tank has a metal shielded hose going to the hard line, Teed off to the water heater and shower outside and stovetop inside.
The other goes to the clothes dryer next to it, outside.
Don’t remember 1 or 2 stage valves, just that they work everything.
The house neighbors around here all have big permanent tanks with the big lp truck coming around to fill them.
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Aklogcabin
Member
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2025 10:28am
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Nothing like the government creating another crisis. Probably would have been good to let folks harvest dead trees n logging.
Don't know about others but I don't need the government to protect me.
We lost a home to a forest fire. Everything destroyed. I just dug a big hole with neighbors ol, backhoe n burried it. Just twisted metal n melted glass. We have a fork that is imbedded in glass. Engines melted from the wheelers. Puddles of aluminum on ground. Propane tanks exploding. Cutting torches blew.
As a guy that fought forest fires for a summer. They get really hot really fast.
Hey Paul, hope the fire safe cops don't evict ya because you're house might, might catch fire from a forest fire. Crazy
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2025 11:03am
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Those are sgl stage regulators (dual have 2 diaphragm housings, one may be smaller than the other). They are not expensive.
As for the armored line, it is still rubber inside, that's a no go, it would melt or more likely deteriorate under the armor where you cant inspect it.
Copper tubing might be your best bet for lines when you go to a 2 stage reg.
I expect you have the tubing, flare tool and fittings already in your stash.
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2025 11:10am - Edited by: paulz
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Thanks. We’ll see when their report comes. I told them I don’t live here full time…
What’s the benefit of 2 stage? Yeah I could plumb copper. Do they not sell corrugated stainless lines or something like that?
Edit: found a 2stage and bit of corrugated in my pile. I must have tried it once, looks like something I would cob together.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2025 02:53pm
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This is starting to sound like it needs its own thread
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2025 03:19pm
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I’m done until the report, or paddy wagon gets here, not touching anything first. I’ll follow up somewhere else.
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Fanman
Member
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2025 08:14pm - Edited by: Fanman
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Quoting: paulz What’s the benefit of 2 stage? Yeah I could plumb copper. Do they not sell corrugated stainless lines or something like that?
A 2 stage regulator holds a more consistent pressure regardless of demand.
There is corrugated gas line. Not sure if it's stainless; it's covered with a yellow coating. But that's for permanent lines, an alternate to copper tube or iron pipe. Between the tank and the regulator you use a pre-made "pigtail", which is a flexible copper tube with a POL (tank) fitting on one end and a flare or pipe fitting on the other end.
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paulz
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2025 09:15pm
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Thanks Farman. Yeah I read that about 2 stage regs.. not sure which thing I would need that for. Shower water is either burning or freezing depending on water tank temp, adjust knob right there. Cooktop always up all the way. That dryer in photo I should, or should have undone line, never use it. Ill start on changing out the other hose.
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2025 09:31pm
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Quoting: Aklogcabin Hey Paul, hope the fire safe cops don't evict ya because you're house might, might catch fire from a forest fire.
They are probably more concerned that an improperly installed propane tank or appliance might cause a house fire, which could then ignite a forest fire. Most everybody tries to practice firewise, in the sense of protecting against wildfire, but many do not give any thought to the house being the cause of the wildfire. It happens and if there is something we can do to prevent a housefire, we should do it, not only for the sake of our own home but for protecting the homes of others.
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paulz
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2025 10:19pm
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My wife, who was inside listening, thinks he just said take the tank with you when you leave. I just turn the knob off, same as the outside grill tank and power. She could be wrong, didn’t have my hearing aids in as usual. Hopefully all the report says.
This agency started, as I remember, after the huge SoCal fire of 2018, started by PGE malfunction. After that, they came by here once. Same LP setup, no mention. Only blow the duff off the roof and get illuminated address for the gate.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 21 Aug 2025 10:15am
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For me, anything LP with a rubber hose only is turned on for use.
Take the tanks home? WHAAA, do they tell everybody with a cottage/cabin to take their BBQ tanks home????
Bureaucrats will Always make more rules for themselves to Enforce upon others, its what they do.
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paulz
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# Posted: 21 Aug 2025 12:34pm
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Quoting: gcrank1 For me, anything LP with a rubber hose only is turned on for use
Yeah me too. Bbq, aforementioned cloths dryer. But don’t pay attention to anything my wife says, I don’t. The report will be here soon enough. Whole cabin is shut down when not here, except solar is still charging.
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paulz
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# Posted: 22 Aug 2025 12:26pm - Edited by: paulz
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Got the report. Nothing about LP hoses..
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jsahara24
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2025 07:05am
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So do they have any authority? Can they fine you or something if you don't do what they want?
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2025 08:10am - Edited by: paulz
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Good question. I’m supposed to take photos of my corrections and submit but unclear what happens if I just forget about it.
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