Best Cabin Subfloor Idea You’ve NEVER Seen. Joists, Insulation, & OSB.

Have YOU ever seen this before? The floor joists, insulation and OSB subfloor in the off grid Spur Cabin are installed in a very unique way in this video. Why?

Rodents! What's your favorite way to mouse-proof a cabin floor? Is it even possible? What you'll find in this video is my answer...or at least as close as possible with what I had to work with. And I’ve never seen it done before.

I think you'll agree it's a good alternative. Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for watching @LifeontheMoose ! Enjoy.

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Tags:

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[benttwisted]

As a 41-year carpenter & all around construction worker, I would have to say there was some brilliance involved in that line of thinking! Of course, it's easy to watch someone else do something and critique it, but, I won't do that, but, I think I came up with a good idea keep the 7/16 OSB from eventually rotting away. Oil base prime the exposed side prior to construction. Oil base primer dries incredibly fast too! Also, it's a lot less expensive than the new house wrap coated OSB (ZIP, Force Field, etc...) & treated plywood. 🤔👍

[nicholasrolley]

We did this to our cabin. We added mesh screen and felt paper between joists and osb to keep the mice out. It's amazing how much of a difference it made

[stupiduser]

Did this on our cottage too. Worked well. We also painted the "bottom" of the OSB to give more humidity protection.

[CorbinMusso]

I’d just like to say…after years of hard work, watching countless hours of youtube, liking videos, commenting, subscribing…the algorithm has finally started to recommend good, wholesome content for me to enjoy and learn. I wish I was building that cabin with you, man. I’ll settle for just watching, though.

[dontask]

the beauty's of working alone. It really is an experience people should have at least once in life.

[PeterMajewski-grre]

I'm a retired builder, and let me tell you, it's a lot easier to WATCH someone do it than do it! BTW never nail the sub floor, ALWAYS use screws to prevent squeaks.

[mattmobley]

enclosing the joist bays is a really good idea. I agree with other comments about a vapor barrier on the ground under the cabin. I kept my old F350 on a dirt floor in the barn. Seemed like humidity from dry dirt still rusted the under carriage. My 20' shipping container/secure storage shed was also in that barn. Humidity in the container was still a problem. I jacked it up and rolled a sheet of polyethylene under it and humidity was gone.

[jaminthevanuk]

I'm just about to build my cabin in Scotland. I'm 70 yrs old looking forward to.more of your very entertaining vids thank you for your extra time and light heartedness. As you teach us all ..mike Scotland. All the best to you .

[ZacVaper]

When you sheet the walls, let the plywood run past the bottom plate to cover the rim joists; then when you stand the walls you'll have no seam at the floor. Do the same on the wall corners; hold back the wall a half-inch from the edge and use the plywood sheathing on the next wall to tie into the first wall and so on. It'll make for a much stronger structure, with everything tied together.

[TheGino]

iv been a carpenter for about 40 years n i give u the thumbs up its something i would do

[randyandrews]

I built a small cabin as well and did something similar. I pin nailed and liquid nailed 1x2 around the bottom interior, then painted the plywood facing the ground with sealer, then liquid nailed and nailed the plywood in. Filled with insulation and put the 3/4 inch tounge and groove on solid and love it.

[EnGammalAmazon]

Seeing the buck in velvet and you using the nail gun made me think of when I was building a large log home in Hood River, Oregon years ago. One of the guys on the crew was nuts about calling turkeys. I don't remember what time of year it was, but at lunch every day he was out trying to call in the toms. He wasn't having much luck. We then started putting the T&G decking on the roof. We would lay up about six runs of decking and wedge it all down hill to tighten it up. I would then pull out the big Senco and start to nail off a whole bunch of decking. As soon as I started nailing it drove the Toms WILD!!!! They went nuts and started running out of the woods toward our house site. I never saw anything like it. Mark was absolutely PISSED!! I think the Senco was the best turkey call I've ever seen.

[Casper]

As someone who annually has a fight with ants during summer, I might suggest getting a couple jugs of dry ant bait (I use Terro Granules) and sprinkle them down inside the joist cavity before you added the insulation.
If they DID get in, this might help keep them at bay.
I am sure there is similar for Termites as well.

[justkelly]

I helped my dad build an A frame cabin when I was a kid. He stapled Rodent screen to the exposed subflooring underneath. He said it might rust away in thirty years or so but no mouse or rate could chew through it. Do the same thing on this system and seal the OSB with Bitumen or some oil based sealer. No leaks, no rot, no vermin. Add metal flashing on the side walls up about a foot and pretty much good to go with no sneaky little pests.

[jeffproctor]

Love this idea of keeping critters out of the floor! Only I would also waterproof/critter proof the underside of the 7/16 by using something like Henry's aluminum seal coating on it. Basically tar based and aluminum dust. It would water proof, and I think that the oil base and aluminum would discourage both critters and insects from chewing it or making a nest within it. Love styrofoam insulation for the R value, but my second would have to be Rockwool type batts in the joists.

[eamonncoady]

Thats a bloody marvellous idea . Your location will turbo charge your soul. Warm, dry, safe, simple, what more could a man ask for. I realy enjoyed this and thank you for your efforts in producing it.

[bellasouldesigns]

Thank you, I've been looking for this type of sub flooring and everyone thought I was crazy and wanting to over do it. I can't wait to get started. Thank you

[kaikristyalegracameron]

Watching the joy and obvious serenity this build gave you makes me so happy. Its just so lovely to see a man that is building for love and just enough to enjoy the world around you. Hope you keep making these lovely videos.... Oh and also great that you're such a well spoken bloke that doesn't feel the need to curse 😊😊😊

[rexmundi]

I’m fighting the same problem with wood rats here in Kentucky. I came up with a similar solution but I’m going over the joists with plywood like a regular floor and making a rigid foam / radiant barrier floor on top of that. It’s more material cost, but on a small cabin it’s not an issue. I’m not a fan of osb. I wouldn’t use it on my own house if it was free.

[dougbas]

I am 76YO and have done some construction of out buildings and cabins ... BRAVO! Well Done! This is great how-to for an excellent job! NICE!