You have spent years living in or vacationing in your wood cabin. You may have renovated once or twice, and with all that time, there have been some extra materials and wood left over after the building. All of that wood is either stored in an old shed or covered in an open space.
Currently, these materials are being left to rot or being used as expensive firewood. Instead of leaving it to these fates, why not put the wood to good use?
With some effort and a plan, you can start a new project and use the old wood to make a room or something that adds to the cabin. This DIY project can be anything from a simple garden room, to an extravagant log carport. Let us explore some ideas you can turn all the old wood into.
1. A cozy outdoor garden room
One project would be to use the extra wood you have to make a small outdoor room. This space can serve any use besides just a garden room as well, for instance, it can be a practical workspace or art room.
Step 1: Gather your materials
Check your storage shed in the backyard for as many usable logs, beams and planks as you need. Since the wood has been out for a while, inspect it for signs of rot. If the wood is damaged, sand it down and use a wood sealer or other treatments to revitalize it if possible.
Step 2: Plan your design
An outdoor room looks best if done simply. A simple frame made from your collected wood with a slanted roof, a roof with 2 sides or a gambrel roof if you want specifics. If you want more light in the room, add glass panels and sliding doors, a sunroof or simply windows to let it in.
Step 3: Build the frame
Use the stronger wooden beams to be the support for the walls and arrange them in either a square or rectangle, depending on the structure of the room. Then make sure to level everything evenly before you use nails and screws to secure all the beams into place.
If you want the outside walls to look especially rustic, use your older logs with wood varnish to give them a polished look.
Step 4: Add the roof and walls
If you would like your garden room to be more open, use a trellis roof to make open air space and is especially useful if you consider housing vines and other creeping garden flowers that make the roof pop. If you would prefer to close the roof off, wooden or corrugated boards will work just fine, as long as they are weather proofed.
Step 5: Finish with personal touches
If you like your potted plants, add bookshelves to keep them on, make a long bench, and hang lights from your roof; make the room yours.
2. Build a rustic log carport
A more challenging project to undertake would be to use your old wood stored, to create a log carport. With this type of design, your car port will blend into your cabin residence, while also giving shelter to your vehicle when you’re not using it.
Step 1: Assess your materials and space
As before, you will need to check how much wood you have stored away and pick out a place where you would like the carport to be. Use the thicker logs as posts to support the rest of the carport, while other planks or tin sheets can be used for the roof. Remember to weatherproof the roof.
Step 2: Design your structure
You need to now think about how many cars you will park to determine the size of the carport. You can design the car port in any number of ways, but the simplest would be to use four sturdy logs as the main supports and build a slanted gabled roof to prevent weather from affecting your vehicle.
Step 3: Secure the foundation
In order to secure the thick support logs or beams you need to set them in concrete, or use other thick wooden beams to anchor the supports to the ground. This will make a strong foundation that should take enough weight to hold the roof up.
Step 4: Construct the frame and roof
Once the support logs or posts are up, connect them above together using horizontal beams to create a solid frame once the foundation is set. Then use the same method for the garden room, wooden planks or corrugated metal sheets to make up the roof and make sure to weather proof it once done.
Step 5: Finishing touches
Once the carport is up, use a wood sealer to make sure your wood is protected from moisture, weather and pests.
A log carport not only makes practical use of your old wood but also enhances the rustic aesthetic of your wooden cabin property.
Why upcycling your old cabin wood is worth It
1. Saves money
Lumber and timber can be expensive, therefore using the wood you already have from construction and renovations should cut down on the cost of your current building projects.
2. Environmentally friendly
Using your old wood reduces the need for timber, constantly newly sourced, making your DIY project sustainable.
3. Adds value to your home
If you take the time to make your project structure well-crafted and beautiful, your resale rate will probably increase in value.
Final thoughts
Before you throw out that pile of old wood, consider how it could be repurposed into something practical and beautiful. Whether you opt for a simple garden room or a sturdy log carport, using reclaimed materials not only breathes new life into your property but also gives you the satisfaction of a DIY project well done.
So, roll up your sleeves, grab your tools, and get ready to transform your old wood into a stunning new addition to your outdoor space!
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