Cabins: A Guide to Building Your Own Nature Retreat

Book Details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1552093735
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Firefly Books; First Paperback Edition (March 3, 2001)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781552093733
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1552093733
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.75 x 11 inches

Cabins: A Guide to Building Your Own Nature Retreat

Cabins: A Guide to Building Your Own Nature Retreat is a no-nonsense, straight-shooting guide for anyone ready to roll up their sleeves and build a place of their own in the woods. Whether you’re dreaming of a weekend escape, a hunting cabin, or a backwoods homestead, this book lays it all out in clear, simple terms—with the kind of advice that actually works out there in the real world.

You won’t just get a pile of pretty pictures. This guide dives into the nuts and bolts of cabin building, starting with the big questions—Where will it go? What will it be used for? How much do you want to do yourself? From there, it walks you through the many ways to build: pole-built, stick-built, post and beam, cordwood, stone, log—you name it. Each method is explained plainly, with pros and cons so you can pick what fits your skills, your land, and your budget.

Inside, you’ll find step-by-step details on site prep, foundations, insulation, water systems, roofing, doors, windows, and even heating. There’s also a whole section on log cabins—because sometimes, the old ways are still the best ways. The book doesn’t stop once the walls are up either. It covers furnishing, layout, and all the extras that make a cabin feel like home.

What really sets this book apart are the diagrams. We’re talking cutaways, cross-sections, and exploded views that actually show you how the parts come together. The line drawings are crisp, easy to follow, and loaded with the kind of detail that takes the guesswork out of building.

Whether you’re a first-time builder or someone who just wants a solid reference on hand, Cabins: A Guide to Building Your Own Nature Retreat is the kind of book you’ll come back to again and again. It’s practical, thorough, and written with the same grit and care that goes into raising a cabin from the ground up.

If you’re ready to build your own place in the wild—where the air is clean and the world slows down—this book is a smart place to start.

Cabins: A Guide to Building Your Own Nature Retreat

Cabins: A Guide to Building Your Own Nature Retreat

Cabins: A Guide to Building Your Own Nature Retreat is a no-nonsense, straight-shooting guide for anyone ready to roll up their sleeves and build a place of their own in the woods. Whether you’re dreaming of a weekend escape, a hunting cabin, or a backwoods homestead, this book lays it all out in clear, simple terms—with the kind of advice that actually works out there in the real world.

You won’t just get a pile of pretty pictures. This guide dives into the nuts and bolts of cabin building, starting with the big questions—Where will it go? What will it be used for? How much do you want to do yourself? From there, it walks you through the many ways to build: pole-built, stick-built, post and beam, cordwood, stone, log—you name it. Each method is explained plainly, with pros and cons so you can pick what fits your skills, your land, and your budget.

Inside, you’ll find step-by-step details on site prep, foundations, insulation, water systems, roofing, doors, windows, and even heating. There’s also a whole section on log cabins—because sometimes, the old ways are still the best ways. The book doesn’t stop once the walls are up either. It covers furnishing, layout, and all the extras that make a cabin feel like home.

What really sets this book apart are the diagrams. We’re talking cutaways, cross-sections, and exploded views that actually show you how the parts come together. The line drawings are crisp, easy to follow, and loaded with the kind of detail that takes the guesswork out of building.

Whether you’re a first-time builder or someone who just wants a solid reference on hand, Cabins: A Guide to Building Your Own Nature Retreat is the kind of book you’ll come back to again and again. It’s practical, thorough, and written with the same grit and care that goes into raising a cabin from the ground up.

If you’re ready to build your own place in the wild—where the air is clean and the world slows down—this book is a smart place to start.

Book Details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1552093735
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Firefly Books; First Paperback Edition (March 3, 2001)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781552093733
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1552093733
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.75 x 11 inches

Editorial Review

The Stiles … show how to build a cabin that reflects the builder’s lifestyle. ― Library Journal Published On: 2001-09-01

If you’ve ever thought of building a little retreat somewhere … you will probably enjoy this book … Cabins is geared to the modern homebuilder — homes have to meet modern building codes, after all — and examines a variety of building techniques. ― New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal Published On: 2001-05-26

You’ll find not only the practical issues … but also the inspiration to help select the cabin that is perfect. — Kandis Carper ― Spokane Spokesman-Review Published On: 2001-05-25

An invaluable resource … step-by-step instructions starting with basic planning. — Stacie Gentile ― Calgary Sun Published On: 2001-06-16

The kind of book that stirs the imagination. ― Lexington Herald-Leader Published On: 2001-06-03

A primer for anyone with dreams of ‘getting away from it all.’ — Ted Hainworth ― Saskatoon Star Phoenix Published On: 2001-07-21

Clear, practical book … full-color photos help do-it-yourselfers realize their dreams. ― Log Homes Illustrated Published On: 2001-11-01

With this study of the what, when, where, and how of cabin building, anyone’s yearning for the last great place can be satiated. — Patrick A. Smith ― ForeWord Published On: 2001-10-01

[The book will] lead the clumsiest carpenter through the necessary steps to build a cozy getaway. — Annie Stoltie ― Adirondack Life Published On: 2002-10-15

You can do it!… For tips read Cabins: A Guide to Building Your Own Nature Retreat. — Rebecca Sawyer-Fay ― Cottage Living Published On: 2005-04-01

About the Author

David and Jeanie Stiles are the designers and authors of 27 books on backyard building projects, ranging from treehouses, playgrounds, and garden sheds, to tiny houses, workshops, and cabins. Their books have sold over one million copies. Jeanie and David have been called “America’s First Couple of Do-It-Yourself Building Projects.” Their work has received several awards, among them the ALA’s Notable Children’s Book Award for Treehouses You Can Actually Build, and their articles have appeared in many magazines and newspapers including Architectural Digest, Better Homes & Gardens, and The New York Times. They have appeared on numerous television programs, including HGTV, The Discovery Channel, and The Today Show during which they built a treehouse in three hours. They divide their time between New York City and East Hampton, N.Y. where they live in a barn which they have renovated themselves.