Designing and building a country primitive DIY shelter is one of the easiest ways to give your yard a much needed face lift. With a bit of planning, a few basic tools, and some ingenuity, you can build your very own custom cabin or log cabin without having to pay professionals to come out and do it for you. One of the main problems when it comes to building your own home is that it may look too flat, or too high for what you are looking for. You will be able to take advantage of some simple tricks that can help to level your design and give it that perfect finish.
Most country homes that have the option of being primitive have their floors made from either pine or cedar. This is the best way to go as the natural color of the wood will match the rest of your home perfectly. If you would prefer to use something a little more modern then you can always paint it. Look around and you’ll find plenty of great unfinished pine and cedar pieces at your local hardware store or lumberyard. You’ll be surprised at how inexpensive it can be to give your old furniture a new look.
Once you’ve chosen your flooring, the next step is going to be to pick some doors. A door is only as good as the amount of light that can get in, so try to find some cheap windows that can be tinted or blocked to block out any excessive sun. The key here is to give your primitive a little personality by giving it a design that you’ll be proud to show off.
For the roof you can either build it from scratch or buy an existing roof. Whichever you choose, don’t skimp on the insulation. It’s important that you use insulation that will be enough for you and your family to heat and cool without using much more than you need. In the winter you’ll probably want to use a thin layer of insulation to help keep the cold out and the hot inside. During the summertime you’ll probably want to use a thicker layer of foam to keep the heat in.
Next up is a wood stove or an open fireplace. This is an essential item, since you’ll need a place to heat and cool your home effectively. Make sure you build your hearth to be about two feet away from your home so that you won’t have to worry about the wood overheating or burning everything in your house to ash.
To heat your house, you’ll need a propane heater. If you’re not experienced at home construction, you might want to hire a professional to come in and do it for you. If you do decide to hire someone, it’s important that you find someone who charges reasonable prices and has a good reputation for doing work that gets the job done right. To heat a house with a propane heater, you’ll need to locate the propane tank under your old sink, where you’ll be putting in the holes for the holes to go into your walls and floor. To protect yourself from carbon monoxide while you’re working, wear a mask and protective clothing.
For your doors and windows you’ll need some screws, nails, or big plastic glues. I recommend that you use the screws and glues that match your interior design. You will also need some wood screws to hold the wood together while you’re attaching the trim to your walls. It’s usually a good idea to use a primer before you paint the door and windows, and use the same color paint that you painted the rest of the house.
The last thing you’ll need is a hammer. This will come in handy if you accidentally hit your nail into something and make a hole. Once you’ve gotten all of these things together, you should have enough materials to make at least one primitive shed. The only other thing you need is a few hours of time and a little effort.