|
| Author |
Message |
wvcabingirl
Member
|
# Posted: 2 Jan 2026 10:50am
Reply
Hi everyone,
I found this site earlier this morning while browsing the web and I feel like I've stumbled across something really special. I signed up almost immediately. Very excited to dive into all these posts for the inspiration and adding more knowledge to my tool bag.
Purchased my first property in February 2025 with a 600sq ft cabin already built but needing a lot of rehab. Have been pouring my heart and soul into it ever since. Plenty of hiccups along the way, such as having to evict the previous occupants (woodpeckers, mice, snakes, skinks, hornets), problems with my well running dry, and some want-to-be burglars... but all is well!! I am head over heels in love with this life and excited to share my progress along the way.
I've had a bit of a vagabond life, but of all the corners of this country I've laid my head West Virginia is my chosen home. Wild and Wonderful!! The cabin is perched on top of a mountain and I can see for miles. Couldn't ask for anything more!
The Stabbin' Cabin
| 
'Kitchen' and loft
| 
View from the porch
| 
Little neighbor
|
|
|
DRP
Member
|
# Posted: 2 Jan 2026 07:38pm
Reply
Hey WV, welcome to the forum. If the pics were in some way questions...
The loft beams, look like 4 x 10 joists of some span on 32" centers bearing on a 4 x 12 girder of unknown span... all in eastern white pine. The tyvek addition... looks like it needs help. I'm south of you, below the tunnels. I held a license in your state for about 30 years but only built there twice, a little south of the greenbrier... the state made good money 
|
|
wvcabingirl
Member
|
# Posted: 2 Jan 2026 08:34pm
Reply
Thank you!
You are partly correct. The beams are hemlock on 24" centers (the photo angle warps the perspective) wrapped with pine t&g to match what is on the walls.
The addition does need help. Ha! Project for spring weather as I need to move the windows and door around (will be turning that corner of the cabin into a bathroom).
Any suggestions for new siding? I'm thinking hemlock. The woodpeckers and carpenter bees are really going to town on what is currently there.
That is a beautiful area down there around the Greenbrier, I am north of Charleston.
|
|
spencerin
Member
|
# Posted: 3 Jan 2026 09:56pm
Reply
Having had a vagabond life, congrats on finding something to "root" you. Welcome to the forum. There are several of us on here who are more than happy to help you through your small cabin journey.....
|
|
philpom
Member
|
# Posted: 4 Jan 2026 05:11pm
Reply
Welcome to the forum. Hopefully your rehab project goes well. From my perspective there is a never ending list of projects.
|
|
DRP
Member
|
# Posted: 4 Jan 2026 06:08pm
Reply
I noticed the repairs on the siding, I need to rebuild our entry porch. I've had luck with Kilz primer and then heavily painting white pine... the knots will still bleed but the bees seem to leave it alone. I think that was the beauty of the old heavy lead based paint they would glop on, the bees can't bite through a heavy paint coat.
I've had client's use bee-gone;
https://www.loghomestore.com/product/bee-gone-8-oz-size/?msclkid=abb4e775ee5c11fc3776 8e2f01f1ac70
Hemlock does much better with bees. I've worked on old barns here with both woods and the damage is much less on hemlock. After the wooly adelgid went through, hemlock is a relatively rare thing here but is a good choice if you can get it.
I think Paul asked about walnut firewood, I was looking for the driest and easiest drying green wood while splitting this morning. Came back up with a load of walnut and cherry. I then noticed a dead black locust had come down in the recent wind. I think it is the 7th hardest wood on earth, standing dead and barkless it is about like anthracite. It is rot resistant, as is black walnut... and I've been debating using it for my porch. I've seen termites tunnel over it rather than trying to bite it, carpenter bees wouldn't have a prayer .
|
|
|
