CABIN DETAILS & SPECS
Due to the nature of a timber frame building, our listed cabin sizes are the actual interior measurements of the structure, giving you more interior space to enjoy your cabin!
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THE FLOOR STRUCTURE
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The first step of the process is to install the pre-assembled floor structure panels on your foundation.
Our floor structures are built with standard constructed methods using 2”x10” lumber and 5/8” tongue and groove plywood sheathing, with 5-1/2” EPS insulation between the joists.
THE TIMBER FRAME
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Our timber frames are made from sustainably sourced Eastern white pine lumber. Depending on the size and layout of your selected cabin, the post and beam sizes can range from 6”x6” to 8”x10” timbers, while the rafters and girts are typically 4”x6”.
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Joinery is done using traditional mortise and tenon with oak pegs, as well as mechanical fasteners where necessary.
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Textures can be smooth, or rough-sawn for a more rustic look. Both are smooth to the touch.
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There are many different colour options to choose from to suit individual styles.
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WALL COMPOSITION
The cabin walls are installed on the outside of the timber frame structure.
First, the tongue and groove pine interior sheathing is installed in the colour of your choice, then the wall structure and 3” EPS insulation foam board. The siding is then applied to the outside.
Colour options:
THE ROOF
Tongue and groove pine is used for the roof sheathing, which becomes the finished ceiling. Structural panels with 5-1/2 EPS insulation incorporated are installed over the sheathing. 28 gauge tin roofing is then applied. The tin is available in several colours as displayed below.
WINDOWS & DOORS
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When it comes to window and door options, the sky is the limit. Included in the cabin package are white single hung PVC windows with muntins, and a white steel exterior door with window muntins.
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We will adjust your construction plans and renderings based on your preferred window and door placement and size. For an additional cost, you can order aluminum capped exterior coloured or wood windows to suit your style.
OTHER COMPONENTS
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While most of these options can be adjusted or upgraded to suit your style and needs, here is what is included in the cabin kit:
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FLOORING - 6” or 8” red pine tongue & groove stained to the colour of your choice
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LOFT RAILING - Welded metal painted black
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LOFT LADDER - welded metal painted black (optional upgrade to a rolling library ladder)
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DECKING - cedar wood decking on porch
GETTING A PERMIT
Although regulations are different for each municipality, it is important to first identify the intended use of your cabin. In most cases, if you intend to use your cabin as an accessory building for an office, hangout, or any sort of casual use, the process is very simple. Fill out the application, provide the distances from water sources, roads, property lines and the main house, and include the building plans which we will provide to you.
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If you intend on using your cabin as you would a home, or hosting guests overnight, additional municipal requirements (and possible additional costs for the structure) are likely to be imposed concerning a potable water source, and a septic or grey water system. If your cabin will be located close enough to your main dwelling, you can normally connect to it’s water source and septic system to avoid any new installations. If not, you will need to install a water source and a septic system, or a simple grey water system if you plan on using a compost or incineration toilet.
PREPARING THE SITE
Although the terrain does not need to be perfectly even or level, when selecting your build site, it is important to look for natural elements that may prevent you from installing a proper support system in that location, or factors that will cost you extra money due to complexities such as:
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excessively steep terrain
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locations where water drainage is restricted
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Once you have received your municipal permit (if necessary) it’s time to prepare your site for your new cabin.
All vegetation including trees and shrubs should be cleared to the dimensions of your cabin, plus an additional 6 feet around the perimeter to maintain a safe distance from swaying branches.
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Also check to see that there are no standing dead trees close by that could fall on your cabin. It will be much easier to make firewood out of them before your cabin is installed!
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Road or trail access to your site is required for transporting the cabin components to the build site.
THE FOUNDATION
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Since the foundation is literally what will support your timber frame cabin, it is very important that you do this step properly to ensure that your cabin provides you with many years of enjoyment. A proper foundation also helps to ensure a level floor. If your floor is not level, this will cause installation problems. Other factors that will impact your choice of foundation are: intended use, drainage, municipal bylaws, and even design specifications. If you are not able to achieve a level foundation, you may want to hire a professional contractor to help you.
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Our smaller cabins can generally be positioned on patio stones or cinder blocks where the terrain is relatively level and your cabin can be installed close to the ground level. It is highly recommended that should you choose to use patio stones or cinder blocks as the foundation of your structure that you prepare the ground for proper drainage, as this will prevent your building from sinking or shifting over time. This means removing roughly 4-6” of grass, dirt, or sediment in the area underneath your structure and filling that space with pea stone, river rock, gravel, pebbles, or some equivalent. The size of the prepared space only needs to be the size of the building that you’ll be installing.
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For larger cabins, and in situations where your cabin will be elevated, a concrete pad or concrete footings may be required to ensure adequate support. Concrete footings are interspersed in the ground below the frost line and concrete is poured until level. The tubes are then cut and your structure is affixed to the tubes. We recommend hiring an experienced contractor who is also aware of local regulations and will ensure that your structure complies with regional building codes.
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For a hassle-free and environmentally friendly option, foundation piles (screw piles / helical piles) are a great choice. The installation is fast, clean and durable. The screw pile is an innovative technology that allows a thermal or helical pier to be insulated from the inside of a galvanized steel tube – similar to how you would insulate the walls of a house.​
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ORDERS
Placing an Order
Due to the extensive details that go into personalizing your cabin to suit your style and preferences, it is best to call or email us to discuss these options. Once everything has been decided upon, you will be sent a quote by email for approval.
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Deposit & Payment
A 50% deposit is required at the time of order, 40% will be due at the point when your cabin components are complete in-shop (you will receive an email), and the balance of 10% will be due at the time of installation (you will receive an email). For your convenience, we accept payment by cheque, wire transfer, or Interac e-transfer.
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Turnaround Time
Generally, the turnaround is about 8-10 weeks from the point of sale to installation, however this will fluctuate with seasonal demands and supply chain challenges that our beyond our control.
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Cancellations
All Rusticate cabins are custom built to your exact specifications and preferences. As such, please understand that we cannot allow cancellations or refunds once an order has been placed.
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