small cabin

[barrentine]

I have 30 acres in middle georgia and want to build a small cabin.I was thinking about building it with landscape timbers from Lowes.Has anyone ever done this?

 

[teg]

I don't know if they were actual landscape timbers... we stayed in a very small cabin that "looked" like they were made of them. They were stained brown and was pretty neat building.

A couple thoughts, landscape timbers always seem to be "cheap" wood, warps if not nailed down quick. They are pressure treated which some counties will not allow you to live in them. Not sure about the "new" pressure treated stuff.

How big of a cabin are you looking to build?

Google showed up with this:
http://www.jimdavidsoncolumn.com/timberhome/?type=building

 

[Swiftriver]

I think I would probably check into what chemicals they used to treat those timbers. Pretty nasty stuff.

 

[teg]

I think I would probably check into what chemicals they used to treat those timbers. Pretty nasty stuff.

New stuff seems to be fine:
Jim Davidson's Landscape Timber Home

 

[GPintheMitten]

I think you should price other sources for your timber. I bet you could get higher quality and eliminate the treatment. It might cost more but your cabin will be arounda long time. Quality pays.

 

[tech141]

I'm not sure about where you are at, but near me, all the treated landscaping timbers are too twisted/warped/bent/etc.. to stack together in a weather tight form.

 

[Pete Judd]

We rented a cabin a couple of times down under, made from plywood pealler logs. Looked good, Lazy Acre Log Cabins looked great from the outside, and we can still get the logs here cheap, before they go to the pulper.

 

[forgeblast]

There were plans that I saw for a kids playhouse cabin made out of landscape timbers, I cant find the link, but it was really cool looking.

 

[EddieWalker]

I have 30 acres in middle georgia and want to build a small cabin.I was thinking about building it with landscape timbers from Lowes.Has anyone ever done this?

You'll never get them to stay straight, or seal up. I've seen them used for a shed and it was a mess.

If you want the look of logs without the expense or trouble of working with real logs, stick frame it, use fiberglass insulation, cover the walls with OSB, wrap with house wrap and side with log siding. It looks like real logs, staines the same too, but doesn't have any of the issues of real logs.

2x8x16 Log Cabin Siding #2 | Wood Pattern Siding

Eddie

 

[GPintheMitten]

I agree with Eddie. If you want real logs, I wouldn't go smaller than 6x6.

If you are serious about a log home, whether siding with quarter logs or real logs, it would be a good idea to search the net. I would look at some one in your region if you can.

 

[rsewill]

I have hauled logs to a log home builder Have one built by a pro. Or see one being built by a pro. There are good reasons we don't live in log homes anymore.

 

[barrentine]

I built a dog house out of landscape timbers.If someone would tell me how to post pics on here i will show ya;ll

 

[teg]

To post photos you can click on the paper clip in the reply section above (see photo) or scroll down below the "Submit Reply" / "Preview Post" buttons to the section below, additional options, 2nd one in Attach Files section click on "Manage Attachments". This opens another menu (see photo again)

 

[Garybake]

You'll never get them to stay straight, or seal up. I've seen them used for a shed and it was a mess.

If you want the look of logs without the expense or trouble of working with real logs, stick frame it, use fiberglass insulation, cover the walls with OSB, wrap with house wrap and side with log siding. It looks like real logs, staines the same too, but doesn't have any of the issues of real logs.

2x8x16 Log Cabin Siding #2 | Wood Pattern Siding

Eddie

I agree with Eddie! You will not have insects invading and just be more comfortable in damp weather or throughout the night. Looks profesional from outside as well and easier to frame windows and doors.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I won't use landscape timbers even for landscaping, they are about worthless. I've seen people use them for fence posts, It ain't pretty.

 

[PapaPerk]

Get some real timbers from a mill or lumber co. There's more suppliers out there than just Lowes.