How to Construct a Log Cabin

In emergencies, you may need to build a shelter that will last a long time. A log cabin is sturdy and solid, and effectively protects you from nature.

Instructions

    • 1

      Place 4 straight and sturdy timbers on the ground, in a square, to begin building your frame for the log cabin. If you are short on adequate timber, you could make the log cabin a smaller triangle shape as well. Make sure the ground is cleared for 3 feet on every side before you build.

    • 2

      Use a knife, machete, ax or other tool to notch the logs where they fit together at the corners. The logs that aren't laying flat on the ground must be notched on both sides to fit the timber below and above them.

    • 3

      Notice if there is a direction that wind normally comes from. If so, build so that the back of the log cabin is facing the wind head on, and the wall that will contain the front door is facing the opposite direction.

    • 4

      Gradually layer up the walls of the cabin, using timbers of the same length. Make sure the corners are at right angles in order to have the most solid frame possible. Don't forget to leave an opening for the door by using shorter timbers on that wall. Frame the door with timbers that stand upright on each side of the opening.

    • 5

      Cut the timbers near the top so that the back of the cabin is shorter than the front, to ensure rain will run off toward the back. To do this, shorten 1 log on each side wall by a 2 feet so that it doesn't quite reach the back of the cabin. The log on top of it must be even shorter, until you've worked yourself up to a log that is only a 2 feet long total.

    • 6

      Place timbers that stretch from side wall to side wall of the cabin to serve as the frame for the roof. They should sit in front of the cut end of the top layers of timbers, so that you form a right angle with every roof log you place. The logs should be longer than the actual length of the cabin you are building. Then add timbers going from the front to the back of the cabin.

    • 7

      Find insulation to lay on the roof frame if possible. Grass, fir branches or paper bags are good. Plastic will help protect the interior from rain. Lay turf sections, grass facing up, on top of the insulation to form your roof. Make sure you've cut deep enough that the turf blocks contain a lot of earth.

    • 8

      Fill in gaps with mud, moss, grass and anything else you can find.