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offgridengineer
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# Posted: 29 Apr 2025 08:52pm
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Hi All,
I am building a cabin in Northern Ontario, in the Arctic Watershed. I've been working for a couple years prepping the land for a build. I started hauling in lumber in 500lb loads with a snow machine, the easiest way to haul. I have river access in the summer. I have winter road access which is good for a snow machine. In the summer, I can go by ATV over the road but i may have to winch in the muskeg. Not ideal for hauling. Boat works best in summer, then I have to haul with my ATV from the river to the clearing. It is wild land. I moved a tractor in last spring when the snow was gone but the land was still pretty much frozen.
I am building with rough cut lumber from the mill. I spent an afternoon digging out the clearing from 3 feet of snow two weeks ago. I am starting with a modest cabin, the bears like to fool around with our stuff so the girlfriend would prefer more then a tent to sleep on the land. I build the floor out of rough 2x10 on 12 inch centers to cross the 12 foot span, then shiplaped 2x6s to run the 16 foot length and keep the wind and critters from coming up after the planks dry. I have attached some photos. I did a video of hauling the wood, and starting the build here if anyone is intrested in the process. It is an eight hour drive to my property so i work in two week stretches when i can get away. My plan is to get the outside done this year and as I do make more build episodes. Thanks for letting me join, I have been reading this forum for years, just didn't have anything to post until now. https://youtu.be/Wh8Aqccw-ko?si=21iqMTVkeuHrsOSW
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 29 Apr 2025 09:41pm
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Welcome!
That is shaping up nicely 
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offgridengineer
Member
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# Posted: 29 Apr 2025 10:10pm
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Quoting: gcrank1 That is shaping up nicely
Thanks, I honestly under estimated the amount of work it was going to be. The hauling took so much time and sun kept softening the snow. I got work done but i really expected the thing to be framed in those two weeks...
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 29 Apr 2025 11:09pm
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Ime it seems to go faster after the deck is done
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offgridengineer
Member
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# Posted: 30 Apr 2025 09:48am
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Quoting: gcrank1 Ime it seems to go faster after the deck is done
I can see that, when I was hauling for a week I told the GF that I was eager to work on the fun stuff. After a few days laying the deck I realized I was not yet into the fun stuff, lots of care and consideration, and things don't move in a vertical direction very fast.
Looking forward to going back up in two weeks...
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frankpaige
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# Posted: 30 Apr 2025 01:16pm
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I know it does not seem like it sometimes? But, the journey can be exciting. Enjoy the process. Looking great.
You’re not ready yet, but, consider a folding attic ladder for the loft. Gave me much more room inside the 12 x 18. Easy to operate for the ladies also.
I decided not to cut sinks into the countertops. Use washbasins for cleanup. Gives me a bit more counter space.
Best Wishes and God Speed.
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offgridengineer
Member
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# Posted: 30 Apr 2025 05:32pm
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Quoting: frankpaige You’re not ready yet, but, consider a folding attic ladder for the loft. Gave me much more room inside the 12 x 18. Easy to operate for the ladies also. I decided not to cut sinks into the countertops. Use washbasins for cleanup. Gives me a bit more counter space.
Good ideas, folding attic ladder usually goes through a hole right? The loft i'm planning is half, curious how you executed. Wash basins are a good idea, some people I see use a sink with bucket underneath, still have to drain the bucket.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 30 Apr 2025 07:40pm
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We opted for no sink too, never regretted it. The rectangular plastic wash basins are fine for us and store under the worktop on a shelf.
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Grizzlyman
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# Posted: 30 Apr 2025 09:48pm - Edited by: Grizzlyman
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Congrats on your build- sounds great!!
My cabin is also remote access- I get it!!. Hauling is definitely something you underestimate!! You start doing the math on how many trips it’s takes at 30-60 minutes(or more) per trip with materials and your days disappear fast!
I see other builds and am just amazed at how “easy” it is to get materials onsite!! Building is the easy part!!
I look forward to seeing your progress.
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frankpaige
Member
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# Posted: 1 May 2025 12:01am
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(2) 2X6 boards from end of loft to wall of cabin. The attic ladder fitted in between those 2X6’s. It can be done several ways. I just used metal hangers for those 2X6’s. Followed the directions and also still proclaim that YouTube is a great teacher. Have fun. After shoveling all that snow. It is a piece of cake.
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frankpaige
Member
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# Posted: 1 May 2025 01:00pm
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At the cabin this weekend. Just a couple of pictures to give you an idea of installation. At one time I had a ladder. Took up to much room. And this is so easy to put down and up.
IMG_0892.jpeg
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offgridengineer
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# Posted: 1 May 2025 10:45pm
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lol, thanks for sharing this, photos helped. Its a good idea. Everything in my drawing is stuff from the sketchup library other then the wood.
How does the stairs feel? Good and stable if you have to go to the washroom at night?
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frankpaige
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# Posted: 1 May 2025 11:23pm
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This is one of the items that has transitioned over time. Started with full length ladder. Too much trouble to move and in the way. Then. Cut in half. Still took too much effort to store. There are different levels of sturdiness advertised here in the states for attic doors. Went with the heaviest I could find. Nighttime activity? Same as a ladder.
I know you are working to get the shell up. That is foremost right now. The little things will come later.
There will come a time I call sitting and spitting time. Where you go… What if?
I envy you. It is a blank slate. Go for it. Have fun, Enjoy!
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offgridengineer
Member
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# Posted: 3 May 2025 10:36am
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Yeah, I kind of hate the of the ladder up to the top. I feel its not the most practical. Other options eat up floor space. I will think on it as time goes on.
I am planning on keeping the rafters open, laying 2x6 as the sheating, and then putting 2" foam on top with a metal roof. That way the inside stays rustic looking but still insulated. I will put tongue and groove on the walls probably. Has anyone done something similar with the roof?
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 3 May 2025 03:36pm
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Be sure to use a waterproof membrane (better than 'tar paper' atop the 2x6's before the insulation.
You will need to run purlins on the insulation to fix the metal to.
Depending on your rafter spacing and snow load stuff Idk if you can use thinner planks on top than 2x.
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offgridengineer
Member
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# Posted: 3 May 2025 07:16pm
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Yeah, I could use thinner but I can support a heavy roof. I'm wondering if anybody has had promblems with condensation on the ceiling from cabin humidity. I've heard some people have issues with that. I don't want to find a problem after everything is built.
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offgridengineer
Member
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# Posted: 4 May 2025 01:58am
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Okay, question. Without getting into personal specifics that may compromise your position, how do you guys manage security for your cabin. My GF was disappointed when a local recommended keeping the cabin unlocked. Some use a guest book in the cabin and ask that if you use something like firewood or food that you call a number to let the owner know so he doesn't turn up after a long trek to find out that he may be in a dangerous position. We had guys steal our tractor 3 times last spring before being arrested (https://youtu.be/vzr3EUhR3lE?si=7w7hjIq62ED8ZfpH) and it really bother me but shook up my GF. We have a cell security camera we can log into to look around the cabin site. Just wondering what your thoughts are on this...
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offgridengineer
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# Posted: 4 May 2025 12:30pm
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Quoting: frankpaige This is one of the items that has transitioned over time.
I'm trying to figure out how I can look at other peoples projects here. Mine the forums for ideas. Is there a way to search the members projects thread to find a specific person?
Like how can i find your cabin progress? I've tried a bunch with the search but it shows your posts, i can't find your thread.
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frankpaige
Member
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# Posted: 4 May 2025 01:01pm
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The basic cabin plan did not transition over time. I looked at who and how many would realistically use the cabin. I wanted little effort in heating during the cooler months. Wanted something pretty basic that I could construct with minimal help. So a good deal of planning went into size and shape.
What transitioned over time was solar panels, access to loft, shade structures, adding decks and picnic platforms, ice coolers to chest freezer.
I never really did a thread on building start to finish. There are so many and mine is so basic.
I do have photos. If you wish? I can give you my email and ship those to you. Everyone’s thoughts on finishing are so different. You just want something that pleases you and yours.
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offgridengineer
Member
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# Posted: 4 May 2025 03:26pm
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Quoting: frankpaige There are so many and mine is so basic.
Isn't that the idea though. From the ceiling that I see yours may be similar to mine lol. So i guess thats why i couldn't find yours.
Its hard to get to my property so that is what is driving my decisions right now. Plus my GF wants something that we can stay in while we think about other stuff.
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Grizzlyman
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# Posted: 5 May 2025 06:49am
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I lock mine… but just a door lock. I leave the key sort of hidden by the door. Why?
Well I assume by your post there is no one anywhere near where your cabin will be.. meaning that If someone wants in they have cart Blanche to get in and will get in.
So ask yourself- is it better to have them walk in and steal something or bust up a door or a window and then steal something. Is it easier to haul a new window to your site or to replace whatever was stolen. .
Any lock prevents a crime of opportunity, so my thought is a lock is a deterrent but if they WANT in, then the key is easy to find.
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offgridengineer
Member
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# Posted: 5 May 2025 08:49am
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Well that is a great point and exactly what I was getting at. I like that idea. Its better then leaving the place unlocked. I will put covert cameras in but my past experience when doing this as a job, is that you just get footage of someone ripping you off and you can never find the individual anyways.
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Grizzlyman
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# Posted: 5 May 2025 04:57pm
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offgridengineer
Yeah I would say covert cameras are not helpful. You want very obvious cameras. Maybe even a sign that says “you are on camera!”
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 5 May 2025 05:13pm
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Imo just the sign will do as much good even without the cameras.
How about one that says,"WARNING, this place is booby trapped"?
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Aklogcabin
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# Posted: 6 May 2025 12:10pm
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For security. If you have cell service. My beautiful wife used Ring security motion detector for our home. It activates with motion and she can speak over it, hit flood lights, record and sound an alarm I believe. Pretty cheap too. And you need to kinda learn to let the fear slide off. Don't let the negatives get you
Our cabin is remote. Think you can find pictures on mine. Being remote, make sure you have a good construction list. And always buy extra, you'll use it somewhere. Having to stop your intended project because you forgot something or miscalculated, not cool. Bears will be your worst issue. Don't leave your windows looking like holes. Plywood if necessary. I built our cabin with the windows 7' up to deter bears. Floor is 4' high because of deep snow.
For me, being remote you need to carry potable water. Every trip and it's bulky n heavy. I'm set up to install a sand point well for fresh water. If you plan of using the cabin for a while I'd suggest it.
Get a good freight sled or 2 or a bunch like me. Take extra every trip in the winter. As written. Enjoy the journey, I hauled 50 some thousand pounds of 5 years before I even started construction, log cabin. Cruising along all by myself, 20 below northern lights dancing above. I'm comfy in good gear and just marvel, still. Some night my beautiful wife n me are going out throw a air mattress outside and watch the show, yeehaa !
Also for me, just getting out into the bush is kinda almost spiritual. It does me good inside, I feel very comfortable and at home. I'd rather be around Alaskan wildlife than people. A place we can pass on to my family I hope. Kids n grandkids.
We installed an Incinolet incinerator toilet. When it's 25 below I'm not sending my beautiful wife out to an outhouse. We use Coleman lanterns for lights if the generator isn't running.
I built a full upstairs. Using 10' high side walls on our 16x24. 12/12 pitch Lots of headroom. Designed cabin for a deck out front. When it's hot we open the door n back windows. One evening after I was done hunting moose my beautiful wife n me were just into bed and listened while a pack of wolves took a moose down just in front of cabin. Pretty cool I think.
I grew up in northern WI a while back. Know the woods well. Got to ak and was just in awe, never looked back.
Hey good luck on your journey, do your research, I'd probably keep looking for a better way to do your cieling. Standard building procedures and lots of Rockwell insulation. If you want wood use knotty pine TnG. You'll use a lot less wood, than can be difficult with limited resources like lots of land. Heat can be a real issue n burn up a lot of time. And it can get heavy if you plan on using it when oller.
You'll figure it out. Have fun n stay safe
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