Building a cabin

[iwanttodiy]

Hi guys,

I’m looking at DIY building a timber cabin approx 3x5 in the back of my garden to use as a man den

I’ve attached a picture of the space. It will be in the raised part, maybe coming out slightly more. The 4 trees at the back are staying as I think it makes it a good feature.

I’ve been researching foundations for this, however I can’t decide on the best, given that there are trees, limited height, sloped. My main idea is to use a standard raft foundation, I can then bolt in beams for holding up a boxing bag etc. However, given the trees etc in place, it seems pad foundations would be a more sensible idea. Anyone else had any experience?

I built a 2x3 playhouse for my kid, and I simply used dense blocks on levelled ground to hold it. It’s been 3 years and it’s survived storms, gale force winds etc. My cabin would effectively be a bigger version of this?

 

[Alastairreid]

Same dimensions as mine, bedded and levelled out some concrete blocks.
trees right behind it as well...never moved.

Untitled

• Alastairreid
• 17 Jan 2015

Untitled

• Alastairreid
• 17 Jan 2015

 

[iwanttodiy]

Nice, sounds like a plan.

Did you decide right up to use blocks, or did you consider other options before you built it?

 

[Alastairreid]

It started off life as a basic shed which grew legs and evolved into a heated insulated summer house.

My first thoughts were to build it off sleepers but couldnt source any quick enough.