Photo by Esteban Benites / Unsplash
Story by Dale Mulfinger
For a number of reasons, existing cabins are prime candidates for either remodeling, adding on or transforming the current structure. Energy performance can be improved; building systems, including plumbing, electrical or heating, can be upgraded; windows and skylights can be added to bring in more light and improve energy efficiency; and the general layout can be reformulated for 21st century living. Improvements might be constrained by zoning or the structural envelope, but most likely your budget will dictate the scope and scale of your project.
Remodeling Your Cabin
Living within the current envelope is usually the most cost-effective upgrade you can make, and one that can produce surprising results. Removal of interior walls can create spaciousness; new windows can expand the view; new surfaces and a fresh coat of paint can change the mood; and central air conditioning can add to everyone’s comfort. A cost-effective limited expansion might mean adding an egress window and finishing off the basement. Or if the roof pitch is sufficient, an attic loft can be created with a raised living room ceiling to showcase it. If not, maybe a whole new roof with attic trusses will yield 50% more space for the new grandchildren in your family.Adding & Remodeling
A few modest additions are achievable without remodeling adjacent space, but this is rare. Usually the space adjacent to the addition requires significant reworking. For instance, walls may need to be removed to access the new structure. Just as likely, the addition of a new living room might require remodeling of what was the living room into an expanded dining and kitchen area. And the addition of a new bedroom often creates the desire for another bath nearby.
Transformations at the Cabin
As cabin additions grow in scope and scale, they often become transformative of the original structure, either intentionally or as a consequence of all the changes. Maybe you didn’t like the look of that old rambler cabin anyway, and the prospect of a new, low-maintenance exterior and red-shingled roof will give a new lease on grandpa’s old hovel. Or the old place had a special great room with a rustic fireplace you want to retain for sentimental value.
Transformations have become commonplace as seasonal structures are upgraded to extend their use into full retirement-living mode. A main-floor couple’s suite may be desired; a library for all the books you brought from your house sale may be in the works; and wouldn’t it be nice to have an attached garage. Be aware that many transformative projects can approach new construction costs and are advisable only if mitigating circumstances such as zoning restrictions suggest this course of action.
10 Common Design Errors
Whatever scale your cabin project may demand, here are 10 common mistakes cabin owners often make when reinvesting without the help of an architect:- Forgetting to check first with zoning regulations before getting your spouse all excited about the plan. (Note: This is not helpful to marital bliss.)
- Not accounting in your budget for those “oh-while-we’re-at-it” costs or setting a budget based on 10-year-old information from the neighbors’ project.
- Locking into an addition plan before studying the roof configuration.
- Not checking with a mortgage lender to assure the new investment would appraise in your favor.
- Not knowing the wall was a bearing wall before you started deconstruction.
- Not specifying egress windows in the new bedrooms or basement.
- Hiring the low bidder without a thorough due diligence of references and not returning to see his progress until spring.
- Not performing a midconstruction blower door test to assure there are no energy leaks.
- Not previewing how the whole transformation looks in relationship to the neighborhood.
- Missing out on the opportunity to invite the architect and spouse on an overnight to inspect the family chainsaw art collection after a walleye dinner.
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Cabin Porn: Inside
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Dutch Oven
