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| Backyard Cabins |
If your house is constantly over-crowded by visiting relatives, or you need somewhere for those difficult teenagers, then a backyard cabin may be just the solution.
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We visited a one-room cabin which was, funnily enough, built by a company called Backyard Cabins. The cabins can be erected on site by Backyard Cabins but they are also available in kit form. If you decide to do the labour yourself, you can expect to save around one fifth of the cost. But remember, it's important that with any additions and extensions, you check with your local council regarding building regulations. Below is the basic procedure for constructing a cabin.
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With the treated pine stumps set in concrete, you can position the damp proofing and ant caps.
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Next the sub-floor bearers are installed and the joists nailed into place.
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Then it is a matter of making sure it is square. For the floor, 17mm ply sheets are used and for the verandah, treated pine. The good thing about buying a kit is that a lot of the work is already done for you, like the timber frames. They arrive already made so all you have to do is put the right wall in the right spot.
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Once the walls are up and fixed into position, they are plumbed and the braces nailed home. Like the wall frames the roof trusses are pre-assembled. They are nailed and held down with metal strappings.
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With the verandah, four posts are located along the front, two at each corner of the cabin and another two either side of the front door. These support the verandah beam. A ribbon plate is fastened into position to support the verandah roof.
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Colourbond sheets were used and the owners chose a deep red, but there are about 12 choices available. The top end of the sheet was turned to stop any water coming up and should prevent any leaks.
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Before the rest of the roof went on, the ceiling was lined and the battens and insulation installed.
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To avoid any wastage, the angle of the roof was designed to suit the size of a standard cement sheet. Because the side window is not protected by the verandah, flashing was added at the top and bottom to stop any water from getting inside.
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Finally a flexible sealant was run along all the joints to ensure all the windows were waterproof.
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To give the cabin an authentic timber feel, it was clad with a full-length western red cedar weatherboard. For the cladding, starting at the bottom board will ensure it ends up straight and level. All the cedar cladding has a 20mm overlap.
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The last job is to put on the barge cappings and then the roof is complete. The cabin is now at lock-up stage. The interior can be decorated to suit any particular tastes, and is then ready for those unexpected guests.
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Cost
Including materials and labour, the cabin came in at just under $10,000 to lock-up stage. Remember that you can save around $2,000 if you do it yourself.
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More Info
Backyard Cabins, 99 Avalon Parade, Avalon NSW 2107
Phone: (02) 9973 1691 or 0414 223 723 or fax: (02) 9973 1032
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Disclaimer
All Fact Sheets and other material on the Our House website are provided as a general information service only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for the advice of a properly qualified tradesman. Neither ninemsn nor its licensors (including the Nine Network) assume or accept any responsibility for, and will not be liable for the accuracy or appropriate application of any information whatsoever in any Fact Sheet or other material on the Our House web site. Your use of the Our House web site is governed by this disclaimer and the ninemsn's Terms of Use.
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