Guest Post by Gray Anderson
My name is Gray Anderson, and I am with Gable Log Homes, a cypress and cedar custom log cabin company based out of Sumter, SC. We have recently begun to offer an inexpensive, all materials included, cabin kit that can basically be stacked in one weekend, we call it the “Sportin’ Cabin.” The 16 x 20 cabin with a 6 x 20 porch (lofted sleeping area available to maximize floor space), are made from solid 4 x 8 precut cypress wall logs and can be assembled in one weekend. So this is not your typical wall siding made to simulate a log cabin, it is actually solid cypress logs from the base to the top of the gable! The cabins start out delivered to the site for $12,750, but we do offer package discounts depending on the number of cabins built. Basically, the more you build the more you save!
Not only is it inexpensive and simple to build, it is as sturdy as a rock. Our design for cutting and stacking removes the need for insulation, they do that themselves! I am even in the process of finding the right location to build my own Sportin’ Cabin. See construction photos here.
As fars as house specifics go:
- The Sportin Cabin is 16×20 with a 6×20 porch.
- We cut each and every piece of cypress at our on site mill that goes into each Sportin Cabin.
- 4×8 wall logs all around and up in both gables. It is a solid log cabin, there is no log siding or imitating framework.
- A sleeper loft can be added to increase floor space.
- All materials are included in kit (windows, doors, wall logs, floor systems, etc.)
- The cabin can be built on basically ANY surface and is not limited to stilts, a concrete slab would work just fine (or maybe even on a floating barge!). We would be more than willing to credit the pricing for the floor posts, if a slab is the owners choice, and reimburse them with materials for interior projects. Such as cabinets, walls, etc.
- All of the by-products from the cutting process used in other aspects of the Gable Log Homes mill. We use the remaining lumber for pallets, mulch, cypress and cedar shavings for livestock and much more.
- $12,750 plus free shipping! To anywhere in the following states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, and some parts of Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, Missouri, Arkansas and Indiana
We feel that this cabin would be the perfect home for someone cutting back on living expenses by living in a small house. I am anxious to have my own Sportin’ Cabin built so I will truly be able to live the lifestyle that the Tiny House Blog readers enjoy every day. Our biggest thoughts on the cabin its quality and affordability together. Those two terms are rarely paired honestly, but we are definitely the exception. We are willing to go out of our way to help out anyone who shares the same interest in the cabin lifestyle as we do!
Nice house, good size, and a great price for a log cabin!
sigh. one of these days you guys will have an offer like this for a house that will actually fit the 24×10 space i have picked out for it … . this is a beauty, though.
now if you only delivered to TX
I Spoke to Gray via email and he said that they deliver free within the first 600 miles. he seemed to be willing to work with me on a fee for the rest of the way.
Love this design! One of the best I’ve seen. Are the cabins cypress AND cedar or cypress or cedar. How does cypress hold up in heavy snow and cold areas.
Hi Deb!
Thank you for your interest! This cabin is cypress but we do offer the same one in cedar which is $1,250 more. If you have any more questions at all send me an email! Gray@gableloghomes.com Thanks again!
Thanks for the affordable option. It looks great!
That’s a bargain.
Looks nice, and the price is reasonable too.
Any idea what the R-value of the walls and roof would be? Any photos of the loft area?
Hi Neil,
Thanks for the interest!
Wall r value is approx 4.38 but due thermal mass performs like an r10. The roof is r2 without added insulation. We use 2×6 decking for roof. You can email me for more pics, questions etc. My email is gray@gableloghomes.com.
Thanks again!
I want one of these.Nice small cabins. I think this can actually be called a small house. Its more than 8 foot wide, and as an added bonus its not mounted on a trailer. Great pricing.
I’m so proud of Gable Log Homes! I have personally been in one of your models some years ago and they are definitely quality homes… and now to see a tiny one! That is great! No one will be disappointed with your product. Thank you!!!
Thanks Fran!
If anyone would like more information, pictures etc please do not hesitate to email me! Thank you all for your interest!
Gray
Gray@gableloghomes.com
I understand your Horizontal joint sealing, but how are the 8′ butt joints addressed?
You can also add us as a friend on Facebook or like the Gable Log Homes page!
Thanks again everyone for your interest!
– Gray
Hello Mr Anderson .
I like your price and your location . I am DE about 3 states away from you . ( Sc _ DE ? )
Your price is truly the best deal so far . I will keep it in mind ( although I would like some thing a little bigger , and of course when it ‘s bigger , the price is more , that much I understand )
I have to wait for my kid to go to college , after next year when she is settled for college , then I will count my saving and I may order one cabin from you . Best wishes and keep the good work . TM.
You’ve sold me. I love it. I’m saving to build a small log cabin and yours is just what I want. You’ll be hearing from me within a couple of years.
I think this may be just what I’ve been looking for? Is roofing provided? If so, what is it?
Do you publish anywhere everything included in the kit?
Thanks–Brenda
Looks like it might be the answer I’ve been lookin’ for, too, Brenda!!!! I LOVE it!!
You have a great cabin at a great price. Is there anyway to increase to the R-value..It really needs to be 3-4 times what it is for winter use.
Hey Bill,
Shoot me an email and we can discuss the Rvalue of the walls and the roof and any other questions you might have! Talk to you soon!
-Gray
gray@gableloghomes.com
Is there anyway you could post some pics of this same style/size cabin with a sleeping loft. I want this for myself+1 and if he is not comfortable in the loft we can use it for storage. Thank you
Hi Beth,
I would be more than happy to email you some pictures of a loft and answer any more questions that you might have! Just send me an email to gray@gableloghomes.com and I can reply with the pics!
Thanks!
-Gray
I think a couple of inches of foam insulation on the roof should do the trick.
In 1986 I used 4 inch thick Thermax over the roof decking, then screwed plywood through to the rafters, feltpaper and finally shingles. Thermax was R 28.8 giving the roof ~ R 30 rating. The same would/could be used with a metal roof. I revisited that cottage 6 years ago and it was still performing as planned.
Sounds great, that is what these cabins need. Other than that, its perfect.
Greetings, is that price unassembled? what cost to asemble it, if even possible? Thankx, janice
Hi Janice,
Good question! The 12,750 price is for the unassembled package. If you would like to email me for assembly prices and any other questions you might have feel free!
Hopefully I will be hearing from you soon!
-Gray
Gray@gableloghomes.com
I love the cabin. I don’t suppose you make one in a 16×24 size or larger?
Hi Charlie,
Thanks for the post! Shoot me an email and we can discuss other sizing options available!
gray@gableloghomes.com
I have a piece of property in TX that one of these would be perfect on. I’m curious though, I see light fixtures in the photo gallery but I can’t quite make out how all the wiring is ran. Externally or did you hew out passages in the logs?
Hi Jeremy,
Most of the Sportin’ Cabins we have built thus far have had the wiring run externally (but there are many ways to do this discretely). It is possible for us to make electrical groove logs that would make it possible to hide the wiring within the wall. This would be a package upgrade though. If you have any more questions feel free to email me at gray@gableloghomes.com.
Thanks!
http://gableloghomes.com/pdfs/SportinCabinsPricelist.pdf
Here is the link for the materials list! We are currently working on a package that will include roofing!
Please feel free to continue to email any questions! gray@gableloghomes.com
Thanks!
-Gray
That porch is begging for an occupant, a cold drink, and a good dog. Does the sq. footage entertain Int. Building Code for full time habitation? Count me in the few that have issues w/ R value in the Northern latitudes. I’m sure winter below the Mason Dixon would be ok, but mountains and north latitudes are going to require some buffering there. Glad to see an affordable option in a classy package too.
Thanks for all of the comments!
A few have raised the question regarding the Rvalue for states that tend to be colder than others. This house can easily be built by upgrading from the 4×8 cypress wall logs to 6×8! The 6×8 wall logs perform like a R-15 conventional frame wall due to the thermal mass properties of the solid log wall system!
If you would like specifics, feel free to shoot me an email!
Gray@gableloghomes.com
-Gray
LOVE LOVE LOVE the sportin’ cabin!! Might be the answer to my dreams of having a cabin by the river!!!! LOVE Gable Log Homes, too – awesome folks!!!
On your website you show larger models with “mortise and tenon” but it looks like simple butt and pass. Is is both?
lOVE THIS! HOW DETAILED ARE BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS? WOULD DO-IT-YOURSELFER BE ABLE TO BUILD?
Thanks to everyone for your interest in Gable Log Homes and our Cypress solid log wall Sportin’ Cabin! And a special THANK YOU to KENT GRISWOLD and the followers of TINY HOUSE BLOG! There have been several questions regarding the R value of log walls and I’d like to help explain that. Solid wood log walls are actually very naturally energy efficient due to the “thermal mass”
properties of the logs. Check out this link about a test The National Bureua of Standards conducted on the energy efficiency of different types of wall structures.
http://www.clhllc.com/Log%20Wall%20Energy%20Study.pdf
For the test, six 20’x20′ test buildings were built on the grounds of the National Bureau of Standards, 20 miles north of Washington, DC, in the fall of 1980. Each structure was identical except for construction of its exterior walls. The buildings were maintained at the same temperature levels throughout the 28-week test period between 1981 and 1982. NBS technicians precisely recorded energy consumption of each structure during this entireperiod.
Test Results
• During the three-week spring heating period, the log buildingused 46% less heating energy than the insulated wood frame building.
• During the eleven-week summer cooling period, the log building used 24% less cooling energy than the insulated wood frame building.
• During the fourteen-week winter heating period, the log buildingand the insulated wood frame building used virtually the sameamounts of heating energy.
The National Bureau of Standards technicians conducting the test calculated the R-value of the log building, which was constructed with a 7″ solid square log, at a nominal R-10. It rates the insulated wood frame building, with its 2’x4′ wall and 3-1/2″ of fiberglass insulation, at a nominal R-12, thus giving the wood frame structure a 17% higher Rvalue. Yet during the entire 28 week, three season test cycle, both buildings used virtually identical amounts of energy. This led the National Bureau of Standards to conclude that the thermal mass of log walls is an energy-conserving feature in residential construction.
Log wall structures also have another added benefit. The mass of wood in the outer walls tend to absorb the moisture from the air inside the cabins. The dryer inside air makes the living space feel more comfortable in the summer and winter due to the lower humidity level; whereas conventionally framed structures with moisture barriers tend to trap moisture inside making them feel less comfortable to live in.
Gray;
Have you ever considered designing a smaller kit to be used for a kids log cabin playhouse.
I want to build one for my grand daughters appx. 10′ X 10′