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SavageShooter2k
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2015 12:16
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All right guys and gals, I have been lurking on this forum for a while soaking in all of the information I see in order to plan for my future Cabin build. I would consider myself "handy" I do all of the work on my own home, vehicles, etc. I have built a few decks, sheds, and deer blinds but I know I am not a professional and I look for help where I can get it. I live in a big city (Houston,Texas) but the property I am building on is in a remote area in Central Texas. I cannot get anyone to come out to my property to do even the simplest work much less Pouring concrete, or building a cabin. The companies that will do work charge big fees for having to come out to my property. Therefore over the years I have just done everything myself. I just cant afford to pay the big charges.
I have a 30x30 spot cleared out for my cabin build.I want the cabin itself to be a 28x28 1 story. The spot I cleared is relatively flat right now and I can do some more work to get it level if needed. As mentioned I cannot get concrete out here so a slab is not possible for my foundation. I am considering building on skids that will sit on top of 16x16 concrete blocks and the frame will go on top of the skids. The skids will be 4x6 or 4x8 pressure treated #2 lumber. I was thinking of doing 7 skids, 1 every four feet, and having Concrete blocks under the skids every 7 feet. Should I put gravel under the concrete blocks? My concern is I dont really see any cabins this big built on skids and I am assuming there is a good reason for it. I have attached a picture of a builder in Houston who built a 24x20 cabin on skids that I am planning on mimicking. Another concern I have is that my skids will not be one piece in length as at best I can only fit pieces of lumber 12' in length. So how do I join these skids durably? For the floor frame I was planning on 2x8's with 2x8 studs on 16" centers. The flooring would be 3/4 T&G plywood. My studs for the walls would be 2x4's on 16" centers but I could do 2x6's its just more expensive that way. For the roof I will be using a Metal roof from Metal sales which I have used for other projects. I planning on running a joist down the center made of 2 2x10's but like the skids it will have to be multiple pieces of wood and I am wondering how to connect them. Siding will be hardi plank.
Does anyone see any problems or have any tips on what I have mentioned so far? Sorry for all the info. Again I am in Texas so snow is not a factor for me and the area the cabin is in gets moderate rain fall with the occasional heavy rain. I have never had any flooding on the property. My last question is what type of fasteners are used for most builds like this? Do most people use common nails with a finish nailer? What gauge and length would you suggest? What about strong ties? Is there anything against using screws instead of nails? Like deck screws? I have a deck I built 10 years ago and my deck screws still look brand new, it got me thinking about using them.
Thanks for the help. Below is a picture of the cabin that I am modeling mine after. Its a 24x20.
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creeky
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2015 12:46
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have a search of OwenChristensen posts. he has a lot of building on skids info and they will answer all your questions and stuff you haven't thought of yet.
as you are a first poster consider removing "link" info from any pics posted. you know. the brits (monty pythons) have a whole song for it. it's called "spam spam spam spam".
good luck with your build.
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SavageShooter2k
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2015 13:27
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Thanks I have been reading through Owens posts but have not seen anything about a project this size. I don't believe I have seen anything bigger than 14'-16' in width. I will keep reading though.
I am not sure what link your referring to I did not insert any links. Are you referring to the pictures I attached having the web address on them?
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2015 14:17 - Edited by: MtnDon
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yep. that is not looked upon kindly on most forums.
A 28 x 28 is too big to build on skids. The skid timbers should be a single length, no splices. That's why you don't see them.
The best foundation would be something like a full perimeter concrete footing at frost depth with a poured concrete wall on that, or a concrete block wall built on that. High enough to provide crawl space access. That provides the most stable foundation. Having nothing but sand will require a good footing.
Do you know what the bearing capacity is for that sand/soil? If the entire area is like that the local building permit and inspection department may have info on that. Sand is definitely not suitable for the typical wood pier and beam foundation.
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Salty Craig
Member
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2015 19:45
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Atterberg limits? CBR's? Standard proctor densities?
I'm a soils and construction professional. You can splice skids as long as you wish. It's all about support. No one would span a 28x28 foundation. You must have proper support at perticular intervals as your structural design requires.
The cute little list of geotectical engineering terms at the top of this reply, are different measures used to determine the structural ability of different soils. I happen to know that sand is a very structural material. It is used regularly as structural fill in all parts of the world.
Carefully digest the info you gather on this site including mine.
Salty Craig
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SavageShooter2k
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2015 20:14
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Thank you all for the replies. Looks like I need to do alot more reading.
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