Building a Log Cabin on Our Island Ep.14 | (Island Tiny Home)

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Code: offgridisland

More about us, the island and the process:

The island is completely secluded, has no electricity or plumbing and currently has nothing on it but trees. We want to turn this island into a fully functioning summer cottage with a log cabin, sauna and other amenities. Most of the work is gonna be done in the summer months as the lake freezes in the winter and the weather conditions are tough.

There's a lot of work to be done as the island is over 2.5 acres (1 hectare) and we have no experience in off-grid living, carpentry or building. So any tips or advice are greatly appreciated, as we are planning on doing everything ourselves and transforming the island into our own little paradise. We’ll document every step of the way, starting from smaller builds to finally - an off-grid log cabin.

Our plan for this year is to put up a platform for a glamping tent, build a floating dock and start cutting down trees to begin the process of building our log cabin.

The island is located in Finland and we bought it in 2024. We are currently both students and we plan to transform the island alongside our studies.
So, subscribe and join us on this adventure. It won’t be fast, it won’t be easy, but it will be fun and challenging. We don’t know what to expect, so be a part of the journey.

Thank you #teamskil for being a channel partner!

[elizabethmckenzie]

Just some advice about your steel roof. Steel will sweet in certain conditions and the sheeting will get damp and mild. I had it happen to me. So put down the sheeting then an ice and water shield or water proof membrane of some sort then stopping for some air space and ventilation then your steel roof sheets with screws that have the rubber washer, manufacture will give instruction for the s ewes. Some company’s tell you to install the crews on the flat portion others want the screws on the ribs. I did mine on the ribs. That water proof stuff to protect the sheeting is so important, do overlook that.

[StevenMcandie]

Once the mini cabin is done yous will need to get a pup like Clovis.

[goatman]

3 ways to move that outhouse.
1) get a whole bunch of men and slide 2 long poles under the building. Then struggle to try and move it.
2) helicopter. Quick and easy, perhaps a bit spendy.
3) disassemble it. It is constructed in such a way that other than the roof, it can easily be deconstructed and then easy reconstructed.
The oldest original barn on my property comes from about 50 miles away. Built early 1800's. (At least that is the story) I have seen photos of it on 2 different farms before it was finally settled here. Roughly 45'×42' post and beam. Those timbers are 20"×12" and span the whole 45' length. Plus it has it's original slate roof. If 2 men and a donkey are able to move that building piece by piece, your outhouse should be an easy project.👍🏻

[TobySeymour-qg]

You might want to think about starting a path from the tent platform to the mini cabin and to where you're going to be working on the main cabin so you can get around cuz that ice is going to be melting soon and it's going to be more difficult to get around.

[MrDominicBrant]

Debarking: put a tiny bit of sideways motion as you pull the blade. It creates a slicing action that may help. I used to debark with a knife and it slicing helped. You can also try holding the blade at a very slight horizontal angle. Love the series, it's getting so good.

[willowthompson]

The roof went together pretty quickly. Personally I think it looks strong enough, especially since it's a short span. I'd listen to all the advice about vapor barriers and airflow etc so you don't end up with mold and rot in the roof.
If you can disassemble the outhouse I think it would be easier than moving it in one piece, though it could be done while the ice is still thick enough with some log skids underneath (the ends beveled upwards to pull it like a sled. Might be tippy though.
I'm looking forward to seeing you all cosy next to the stove in there and comfortable while you start the next project.

[staggerinstanton]

Yes it is moveable. Roll it on logs. Terrain will be your biggest hurdle. Larger diameter logs will roll over things easier, but will be heavier to move, as you will have to swap from front to back. Your cabin is looking great.

[superjeep]

Another thing you need is a real axe 3pound with 36" handle! Sorry to bug you about what you need but make things easier!

[henrioinonen]

You should have boards on top of the rafters. Balance them to straight on the whole roof area and then ad the plywood. You can move the outhouse, just screw the logs on it together and move it, you can use 2x4's in each corner to lock them in place while moving. Skids under it and pull it with your winch!

[matthewasargent]

I think a 2nd outhouse makes sense, because since it is so far away, you'll want the original one where it is later on when you are using that part of the island still.

[MrDominicBrant]

Watch how the Amish move houses... Grab your friends, some long thick poles, and carry it :)

[joebenjamin]

You could take the greenery that you cut off of the trees and put it in the lake in a couple different places for fish habitat. It will give you a great place to catch fish😉. Small cabin is coming together well.

[rflanders]

When moving logs use leverage. Put a section of 12" diameter log under your lever to move your logs up. It would also help to use small logs as rollers to move heavy logs.

[jeffmarshall]

You seriously need an impact driver and a trailer bro...😂

[loomc]

It got to be more than your goodlooks to keep your partner in the throes of the end dream. Watching your struggles during the winter months, the open-water months have to bring a whole other bunch of struggles. I admire your determination. Be safe and stay healthy. ❤

[wickedacoustic]

I agree with some of the other comments. I don’t think that roof is going to handle a heavy snow load. I understand this was just a practice structure, but I think a steeper pitch is needed, as well as dimensional lumber (2x6inch possibly) to support the roof. With dimensional lumber you could notch the top of the walls to keep all the rafters even, so the OSB will be nice and flat. I can’t believe you didn’t get pulled over by the police on your way to the island with that lumber. Be safe, and keep up the great work.

[EyeSpyFocus]

to move the building✔️get some steel pipes like gas pipes. with a smooth edge and you could slide it with something to lubricant it. 2 ppl could. if need use pulleys with the trees.

[capodicasa]

As soon as you try to do something with a tarp - the wind gets up. It's one of those laws of nature 😊. Talking of wind, when you check your island's weather. Learn where the prevailing wind comes from. It could be useful to know when you position your buildings and other things.

[SnyperMKJclL]

Oh, while watching you put up those OSB sheets and screwing them in... a thought came to mind.
Another FANTASTIC tool you should look into getting is a Chalk Line, preferably blue chalk(red is kinda permanent). It could help when layin out large swathes of measurements where things need to be perfectly straight... like putting in the screws and never missing the center of the "rafter logs". Keep in mind thought that when using a Chalk Line it MUST be dry outside, no rain, no moist materials or anything otherwise it gets all gummed up and is a PAIN to clean, so avoid getting them wet.

[Yanmolinos]

Props to you for building this, seriously—that takes courage! But you should take a look at how it’s properly done. The structure of your log cabin isn’t solid enough. Instead of relying on screws to hold everything together, the logs themselves should lock into each other. Check out some more videos to see how it’s done right.