A squatter is a person who settles on land or occupies property without a title or payment of any kind. Historically, squatters were also those who remained on a piece of land to work it under government regulations until that land became theirs. Squatter’s cabins have been used throughout history as a small, temporary shelter and are usually one or two rooms made of materials natural to the area. Wood, stones, moss, branches and sod were all used in the construction of early squatter’s cabins.
Things You'll Need
Gravel
Redi-Mix concrete
Post-hole digger
4-by-4 inch pressure treated posts
2-by-4 inch pieces of pressure-treated spruce lumber
Nails
Hammer
¾ quarter inch, 4-by-8 ft sheets of pressure treated plywood
Moisture –repellent fabric, tar paper or tarp
Asphalt shingles
Door
Windows
Paint
Nails
Exterior latex paint
Paint brush
Exterior caulk
Caulking gun
Prepare the Squatter's Cabin Location
Level the ground where your cabin will be by adding gravel to low spots and smoothing out the area.
Dig four post-hole at least four feet deep and below the frost line. This will depend on your geographic area. Prepare concrete mixture according to package directions and pour into the post holes. Insert a post in each hole and allow the concrete to set.
Frame the Cabin Floor and Walls
Make the frame for the floor by attaching arranging framing boards in a square around the post holes and securing them to the posts with nails. Add floor joists horizontally across the floor, one board every 16 inches and nail to the framing boards.
Frame the cabin walls by laying out pieces of spruce lumber on the ground according the size of each side of the frame. Vertical boards should be spaced 16 inches apart, leaving space for windows and a door. Leave room for at least two windows to allow for cross ventilation in the cabin. Make sure to leave at least one-half inch of space between the edges of the wall frame and the space for a window or door. Raise each wall when finished, nailing to the floor frame and to each other.
Install the Cabin Roof and Walls
Using more of the spruce lumber, construct the roof joists. Add the roof joists for the roof frame at the same 16 inch spacing interval as the wall and floor joists. Nail the roof joists to the walls.
Nail sheets of the pressure treated plywood to the roof joists leaving a one to two inch overhang around the edges. Cover the plywood with plastic film, tar paper or a tarp. Nail the asphalt shingles to the roof over the covering. Cover the framed walls with moisture repellent fabric and nail more of the pressure treated plywood to the walls.
Finish the Cabin
Nail windows to the window frames. Set the door in the frame and level it on all sides by inserting wooden shims where necessary. Nail the door to the frame. Paint the entire cabin with a high-quality exterior latex paint. Weather proof the windows and door frame with a flexible exterior caulk.
A small squatter's cabin is great for a hunting lodge, fishing cabin or as a rustic getaway. Whatever your cabin is used for, this design allows you to construct a sturdy structure that best meets your needs.
Source:
Small Cabin: A Complete Do-It-Yourself Guide on How to Plan, Build and Enjoy or Small Cabin- In Simple Terms. (Accessed November 2011).
Patti Richards - Patti Richards is a freelance writer and editor, former teacher, wife and mother of three. Patti writes children’s books and stories ...
Join the Conversation