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Small Cabin Forum / Cabin Construction / I'm just not sure what to use for siding and roofing material
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neb
Member
# Posted: 10 Mar 2011 20:56 - Edited by: neb
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I just can't deside what to use for siding. The 4x8 vertical siding not sure it will stand up. The roof not sure if I should go with asphalt or metal. I need to consider an easy method for both but still need quality material. I do have building experience and built my home 28 years ago from the ground up. I have not built much since then. I have to pack material in and will be doing most all construction by myself. I am no young person and will have my work cut out for me. Any suggestions on roofing and siding material will help.

nathanprincipe
Member
# Posted: 10 Mar 2011 21:12
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I used "smart siding" on my shed at home and cabin, Im very pleased with it. The siding at my cabin has been exposed for about 8 months ( no roof on yet) and it has yet to show the slightest signs of swelling

Gary O
Member
# Posted: 10 Mar 2011 21:19
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Quoting: neb
I have to pack material in and will be doing most all construction by myself

If you are truly 'packing' it in, I'd consider board and bat for siding. Roofing, well those metal strips are pretty narrow.
Comp/asphalt is just plain heavy.

BlaineHill
Member
# Posted: 10 Mar 2011 21:51
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If you go with 4x8 sheets of siding, either T-111 or some composite, you will probably have an exterior wall greater than 8 feet high. Sometimes, folks try to join the seam with a 1x4, but you really should either overlap the top sheet or use z-trim to flash the joint. I think T-111 is a durable and popular siding material, just watch that joint.

I was considering Hardi-plank cement siding for my project. It's pretty much just backerboard cut into individual strips and applied as lap siding. Nice product as it resists fire and is one of the least expensive sidings you can get. If you go this route, look for the jig that helps you get the rows evenly spaced. I plan to use "pattern 116" T&G wood siding for my project. It's a little more expensive, but I guess I just like the looks of it. Good for painting or staining also.

I love the looks and durability of a metal roof anyway, but since it is lightweight, I would think it would be ideal for hiking it in. About a buck a square foot makes it affordable. Your low-cost option that is also ideal for low-pitched roofs is roll roofing. Maybe not the most attractive, but it's a solid roofing material.

Good luck.

MikeOnBike
Member
# Posted: 10 Mar 2011 22:21
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We have to worry about range fires so we went fire resistant with a metal roof and 4x8 Hardiboard siding. I'm pleased with both but the Hardiboard is thin and brittle. I don't think it will pack well.

For packing I agree with Gary. Even if you rip t-111 or Smartside lengh wise you get something easier to pack and you can batten the seams. If you are going to use something under your siding you can rip it to 2x8, install it horizontal, cover with tap paper and then install the siding vertical.

Ditto on the z-metal!

How far do you have to pack your materials?

turkeyhunter
Member
# Posted: 10 Mar 2011 22:41
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on my new camp, i am going with green metal roof,and PT log siding (half logs) and vinyl windows..........low maint.

neb
Member
# Posted: 10 Mar 2011 22:52 - Edited by: neb
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Again thanks for the help. I need to really get thinking about what I want to do. I can get within 100 yards of the site. Then I have 2 benches and it's up hill from the start. It is not that bad of walk if you aren't packing. I did carry in 6 ft long x 10 inch across logs and got them planted. I will have to have someone give me a hand to pack some of the stuff in. I will cut and build all window and door framing at my home and haul out there and then pack in and start putting it to gather. The ply wood I will need help. I just hope I don't die trying.

MikeOnBike
Member
# Posted: 10 Mar 2011 23:09
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neb,

100yrds doesn't sound like much but yeah, if your packing anything and a bit uphill that is a good hike.

It's too bad we are all so spread out or we could gather at your camp for beer/BBQ and pack all your stuff in for you.

neb
Member
# Posted: 10 Mar 2011 23:20
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Quoting: MikeOnBike
It's too bad we are all so spread out or we could gather at your camp for beer/BBQ and pack all your stuff in for you.

Man that would be a heck of a good deal. I figure if I had everything cut and could get some help to get stuff in there I could slap this thing togather in short time. A 10x10 with everything cut what do you think for time to get the shell up and sheeted. I would say 4 days and it would be a done deal, What do you think.

Gary O
Member
# Posted: 10 Mar 2011 23:38 - Edited by: Gary O
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Quoting: MikeOnBike
we could gather at your camp for beer/BBQ and pack all your stuff in for you.

That would be the neighborly thing to do.

If the trek up hill is a concern now, you might consider all the haulin' stuff later (food/water/etc).
Maybe a cable and some pulleys and a big wheel cart should be a first consideration.
Wife and I had a place with a 10% grade, just 100 feet, and darn near did ourselves in gettin' everything up the hill, and that was when we were in our 40s (twenty years ago).

MikeOnBike
Member
# Posted: 11 Mar 2011 00:01
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Maybe if you are just getting a shell with no final siding or metal on the roof. A gable roof takes longer than a shed roof.

You can see from our project here that it took us longer than 4 days. With travel time on a 2 day weekend we could only get in about a day and a half of work.

The complexity of your construction can make a big difference in build time. We had OSB covered studs followed by tarpaper and then Hardiboard siding. On the roof we had 2x6 rafters covered with plywood, tarpaper and then metal. If you eliminate one of those layers you speed up the build.

I do wish we had put the tarpaper on the roof as soon as the plywood was down. We didn't get back up the mtn. again as soon as we expected and we did get a couple of heavy rains that soaked the cabin.

My next shed is going to be partially prefab'd at home. I'm going to haul 4' wall sections up in my truck and assemble on site. I'll also use a shed roof which will be much easier to construct.

turkeyhunter
Member
# Posted: 11 Mar 2011 07:07
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Quoting: MikeOnBike
It's too bad we are all so spread out or we could gather at your camp for beer/BBQ and pack all your stuff in for you.



so TRUE friends helping friends, and if he has good hunting on his property, i would work harder. ;-)

what STATE are you building in????

Anonymous
# Posted: 11 Mar 2011 18:25
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How many of the members of the forum have met in person? I'm from the south (NE TN) where once upon a time you could have a barn raising.
Wouldn't that be great to do for a cabin?

neb
Member
# Posted: 11 Mar 2011 19:28
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Quoting: Anonymous
Wouldn't that be great to do for a cabin?


That would be a great idea if we lived close. If you could get 4 people togather for one weekend and had a good plan you could throw one of these small cabins up in a hurry. A 10x10 could be down and dirty. We used to build garages in 4 long days and out of there and that was with 3 guys.

naturelover66
Member
# Posted: 11 Mar 2011 20:09
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Neb--- You may want to check out www.woodworkersshoppe.com
they have beautiful Log siding...... knotty pine flooring etc....... They have reasonable or even free freight. They ship all over the country. I am ordering knotty pine paneling for my new cabin...... I cant wait !!!
Naturelover66

Just
Member
# Posted: 11 Mar 2011 20:15
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I think 66 has the wright idea , have it all delivered up the 100 yd. hill ,,

Rob_O
# Posted: 11 Mar 2011 20:41
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I'm using galvalume steel for the roof, and the siding will be rough cut planks Board & Batten style

sm paul
Member
# Posted: 11 Mar 2011 20:48
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Do you have any friends with teenage kids....

neb
Member
# Posted: 11 Mar 2011 21:02
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You have some good idea's. I will have to find some young bucks to help get things to the site. I still would like to have panel siding of some kind to side the shack. Mostly becuase it would go uo fast. The problem would be quality of the product and that it would stand up for many years. I do not want to paint and have to do it over down the road. Tin would be nice but the look would not fit in the area. I really don't want to have any maintenance.

Gary O
Member
# Posted: 11 Mar 2011 22:08
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Board and bat goes up pretty fast.
Cedar (if no fire issues) keeps longer than you and me.
For roofing; Tin...no.
Metal...check it out a bit more.

sm paul
Member
# Posted: 11 Mar 2011 22:46
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I think certainteed has a 4x8 sheet of fiber cement board that is prefinished to look like stained wood, it is maintenance free.

MikeOnBike
Member
# Posted: 11 Mar 2011 22:52
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Neb,

Is there anyway you can get an ATV into your place? If so maybe you could hire or get someone to haul your stuff in on an ATV trailer.

neb
Member
# Posted: 12 Mar 2011 20:29 - Edited by: neb
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MikeOnBike

I could possiable get a ATV in there but would have to do some dirt work first. I really don't want to blemish the land if I don't have too. I will get it in there some way. For me it is time which I don't have any to spare at this time in my life. I have way to much going on. I may have to ask for some help and that is hard for me to do. I know this project is going to need 2 guys for some of it to get it done.

Martian
Member
# Posted: 14 Mar 2011 20:02
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neb

Where are you? I've been known to show up and lend a hand.

Tom

neb
Member
# Posted: 14 Mar 2011 20:33
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Martian

Montana. I would never ask anyone for help and if I couldn't pay you back I wouldn't be happy/ That is one great gesture. I will get it done one way or another. I do plan on cutting all wood and build the window framing and door frames. I will then carry material in and get after it. Thanks agian.

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