If you undertake the construction of a frame cabin without the assistance of an experienced carpenter or builder, you should keep in mind the minimum requirements set up by the Forest Service as standard specifications for cabins to be built in deep snow country:
All girders should be not less than 4×4 material spaced not more than 7 feet on centers.
All main posts supporting building should be not less than 4×4, spaced not more than 7 feet apart in any direction and should rest on rock or concrete base; this applies to open porches also.
All floor joists (including those under open porches) should be not less than 2×6 material, spaced not over 2 feet on center.
Studding in sidewalls, where siding runs vertically, should be spaced not more than 6 feet on center and should be not less than 2×4 material. At least one 2×4 should be placed around the building, horizontally, between the floor plate and ceiling plate, and the side boards should be securely nailed to this horizontal ribbon as well as the top and bottom plates.
On buildings where siding runs horizontally, studding should be placed not over 2 feet on center on outside walls and be not less than 2×4 material.
Double headers and proper bridging should be installed over all openings in outside walls. This is not necessary in partitions.
Rafters should be spaced not more than 2 feet on center and should be not less than 2×4 material on all spans up to 16 feet. All spans of more than 16 feet should use rafters of not less than 2×6 material and be spaced not more than 2 feet on center. Rafters and other members of the roof frame should be of selected, straight-grain lumber.
All ceiling joists should be good, straight-grained sticks not less than 2×4 material and spaced not more than 2 feet on center. Nail them securely to both rafters and plate. All buildings with a gable roof should contain ceiling joists. All spans of more than 14 feet should have collar beams to support the rafters.
THIRTY CABIN PLANS
a CABIN in the CLOUDS
The ideal mountain cabin should be almost a part of the rugged landscape that surrounds it, with rough walls and stout roof that seem to hug the rocks. The very majesty and sweep of the hills dwarf any attempt by man to build himself a tall, imposing mountain home—it is better to build for simplicity and strength.
In this “cabin in the clouds,” resembling some of the mountaineers’ huts in the Alps, every effort has been made to keep the atmosphere as rustic and as rugged as possible, at the same time providing all the conveniences of a comfortable modern home.
The walls, the designer says, should be of stone, 16 inches thick. The roof should be of redwood shakes or slates, but remember that any roofing must stand storms and very high winds in the mountains. The railing of the car shelter is of stone, also, with roof supports of heavy hewn redwood timbers.
The living room centers around the massive fireplace, which should be of rough stone. It is flanked on one side by a built-in seat, and a wood box on the other, with an outside door. Walls should be finished in rough plaster or wood panelling, with ceiling beams exposed. All floors are of wood except the terrace, which is flagstones.