Building A Log Cabin | Ep. 49 | Winter cabin life is the best! Bathroom walls, DIY Bathtub

Welcome to our channel! This Log Cabin Project is a dream that we have had for several years that we finally decided to make a reality. Our goal is to build a tiny log cabin from scratch using as much material from our land as possible. We are building it entirely using hand tools (no chainsaw!). This cabin will function fully off-grid and will be only accessible by foot. Subscribe to follow our journey!
We are learning a lot as we are doing (as always), so don't hesitate if you have any questions, it will be a pleasure to share tips and tricks, if possible.
In this episode, we finally get back to our cabin after a couple weeks off for the holidays. The cabin is in great shape, and we get to work on building our bathroom wall. Over the holidays, we also made a DIY bathtub out of an old fiberglass beverage container. Cabin life in the winter is paradise! We enjoy collecting firewood, collecting water, watching the stars, and the peaceful silence.

[@alberteinstein9176]

(Settling can occur due to small gaps between logs, shrinking of the wood and compression of the wood) I saw the installation of the bathroom wall running from the floor joist to the floor. In a log home the whole home will settle from 1" to 1.5". I hope your wall doesn't get crushed and lifts the floor joist. Typically we build a floater wall in the kitchen so the cabinets don't fall off. As the log home settles the lag bolts going through the floater wall will slide vertically keeping the cabinets hung probably. When installing windows there can be a 2" gap above the windows so as it settles it won't break the windows. We just stuff Corning Insulation in that gap and it just compresses as the home settles. Same way with doors. I hope you don't have any problems. Your home looks great. Thomas Dutkiewicz Connecticut USA

[@BirdYoumans]

You two are just so special. The world could learn a lot from you. My message if I have one for the last 25 years has been to promote people learning to love and be kind to each other. You two seem to exemplify that. If you need a Grand Pa, I'm up for adoption lol!

[@MsLunabelly]

So awesome to see you build a bathroom - the amount of cabins I see built with no indoor bathroom and I’m like "WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO GO FOR A WALK OUTSIDE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WHEN THERE'S SNOW, BEARS, WOLVES AND MOOSES JUST TO GO BATHROOM OH HELL NO". Fabulous build, love it.

[@brucewitcpalek5120]

So many KZbin channels who are doing basically what you are doing are not telling the whole truth about their journey. The reason I love your KZbin channel is because you keep it as real as it is and you show everything. Some channels who claim to be starting off, drive a $60,000 truck for example, and they have a big fancy tractor and they have a side-by-side etc. etc. etc.🤔🤔 I think you know where I’m going with this, so that’s why I absolutely adore what you two are doing. Thank you for sharing your journey and keeping it so so real !! God bless you both and can’t wait till next week when you put on another video !!

Thanks, Bruce! It’s good to read you again :) hope you had a month! Take care and see you in the next video

[@oddtechman]

remember to periodically take your chimney off and blow/clean/burn throw to take all the carbon and soot out to avoid risk of a chimney fire!! Cabin is looking awesome and getting more like home episode by episode. huge thanks for continuing to share your journey with us all

Good reminder indeed!! Thanks alot, we’ll add it to our to-do list ;)

[@oddtechman]

@ The Bushkateer did a take on it 2 weeks back when he took down his for maintenance and it was pretty darn scary seeing how the fire took over the chimney when he deliberately popped the stack on his fire to demonstrate . might be worth having a look!!!

[@manuelhofbauer6031]

Hello, your house is getting nicer and more comfortable. You are a nice couple and wish you continued success. I'm already looking forward to the next episode.

Thank you, Manuel! See you in the next video :)

[@fishingcostarica]

The hardest part about watching your videos is that they end.

That’s too kind!

[@andrewd5705]

So happy to see you back. We were worrying a little bit. You’re doing fantastic job and we love to follow your off-grid adventure.

Thanks Andrew! It's heartwarming to know there are lots of people out there thinking about us and waiting for our videos :))

[@John_Doe1980]

welcome back !

[@josephmurphy9946]

I was getting worried about you guys! Happy that you took a month off to relax. :)

[@222222pal]

Nice to see the update. It's looking more and more comfortable. Beautiful work!

[@robyn7287]

Great to see you back, hope you had a wonderful time with family and a much needed vacation. Bathroom looks great, I’m sure you are both going to enjoy that indoor plumbing. Now for the kitchen.😊

We think so too! Thanks Robyn

[@guypellerrin5441]

It is very nice dont worry about other people comment sometime .Happy 2023 in your lovely cabin .

[@skruloos1]

It's really good to see you back working on the cabin again..its been a long few weeks..

Thank you! It's nice to know so many people were excitedly awaiting our next video :)

[@mmusico48]

I would suggest to find some kind of gentle brush or something to attach it to the pole you’re using for that solar panel , the micro abrasion could affect the solar intake….love your videos and what you two have accomplished!!! Continue success! 💪💪

[@johnmcnichol8330]

You guys are doing a great job!

Thanks alot :)

[@claricehoffmann1508]

Bom trabalho..vcs sabem o que fazem.... Brasil 🇧🇷

[@user-xh5vy8ut9l]

Настоящий достойный человек, у которого можно научиться умному и даже гениальному! Нужный человек нашей планете! Побольше бы таких людей на. Земле! Мир бы стал добрее! Всех благ. Вам! Радуйте людей своими видео!!! ❤❤

[@richardherrington2852]

Screw all that snow and freezing winter weather. Glad I live in South Texas. We get about 1 inch of snow every 15 years and within an hour after it hits the ground, it has melted.

We love the snow! Most people around here hate it though...

[@mikeduda3173]

Indoor bathroom. Pretty fancy. Looks great 👍

Yeah it took us a while to rationalize putting something so (relatively) big in such a small cabin, but I think we won't regret it

[@cathybrewer8958]

Glad your back! Missed seeing you both around the cabin. Smart idea about the wall and post. You have almost finished closing the bathroom in. Stay wam.

Thanks, Cathy! Glad to be reading you again :) take care until next video!

[@luckyedwards4870]

If u save a couple inches of hot water, (the hotter the better), in ur big pot, u can get a lot more snow in ur pot, as most of the snow will melt as u pack it in the hot water. Good job on the build.

[@helenmaebachicha2731]

Hi Nick and Maela. I have excitedly waiting for this video. I hope you are both renewed physically. Hello from the Philippines. Take care. 🤗

Thanks, Helen! Glad to be back :) take care and see you in next video

[@manonpelletier9393]

Trop heureuse de vous revoir ! Vous m’avez manqué 🥰😘

Hihi, contents d’être de retour aussi 💛

[@kevincerce5056]

I love the progress you're making, and I can't wait to see the kitchen you are planning to make. What about a bedroom? What are you sleeping on now?

[@richardliles4415]

Those bathroom walls came out nice, perfect. Looking so forward to your next video. Thank you.

[@thomasturco5870]

You have to do that to the nail it right across the roof rafters and put the opening where you want it to be for the bathroom and then all you have to do is put the wall skin on

[@sylviabursa7639]

Das ist so suuuper klasse was ihr gebaut habt ,ganz großes Kino und großes Lob 🥰🥰👌👍

danke schön!

[@junebennett978]

Thank You!

[@Eudoxieadopo]

Très heureuse de vous voir de retour 🎉 Bravoooooo ❤❤❤

[@doronamar8776]

wow!

[@aspendell209]

Very nice. Anywhere you left a hammer head mark on bare wood, you can remove those. Apply a soaked sponge for 30 mins and it will pop back out. You can use a heat source like a heat gun to get the wood to pop in 1/10th (1-3 mins) the time once its wet, so you don't have to hold a wet sponge on a vertical surface so long.

That's crazy, I didn't know you could do that!

[@genefowler948]

Nick what a lucky man you are to have a girl so willing to do what ever it takes to get things done. She is so handy it good to see a woman can do what ever a man can do. Lucky you not saying woman don't do it but a few can .

She’s definitely a keeper :)

[@BoLane]

Keeping the Coca Cola logo would have been EPIC! But looks great either way!

Yeah we thought about it too haha. But we didn't want to advertise them for free. Plus neither of us like Coke lol

[@dennisbeaver5958]

As usual, a very nice job……together!

[@jebise1126]

i some some people use thin metal rods to get nails deeper especially if those are hit under strange angles. like getting those columns that hold boards around bathroom.

[@wobdeehomestead1464]

Nice to see you two back. Looking forward to future videos

Thanks!

[@thaiBushcraft7654]

Wow good

[@ericbroussard4310]

Hello waow a lot snow 😯, good working and the cabin 👍, good day for you and take care.

Quebec has a way of surprising us with the amount of snow she gives! Take care too :)

[@williameddy7217]

Great Video!!! Awesome Build!!!

[@charlesallen9592]

very nice my friend! looking forward to the next time!

Thank you! Cheers!

[@charliechristianson]

when an ad turns on i turn off. i have watch you from the start off your cabin an enjoyed it.

[@PrimarchEldarAutarch]

when you hang string lights, you don't want to directly staple against the strand because can tend to weaken wires inside insulation- instead use a spacer OR put up small hangers then scoop strand over hook

[@donaldhofman5257]

You should have made an adjustable wall for settling in the wall! In my sisters cabin, they had her husband's coffee mug collection up and came home to a couple of mugs smashed on the floor from settling as the logs dried out! 4 more broke when they tried to get them out!

[@donaldhofman5257]

This was 5 years after the building was complete! But it was also a Scandinavian scribed fit log home, so it may have settled more than yours will!

[@saren874]

I'm wondering about that too but I'm sure they have a plan.

Crazy! Yeah we'll just have to monitor it over the next couple years. If our 2nd floor starts lifting up, then we'll fix the problem then haha

[@macmcdonald9347]

Hi Team, happy new year. Recommend another small window in kitchen (far left of front door) for light and ventilation.. again keep the team spirit except for cooking - I believe the lady is a better chef 😁.

Hi there! I think we will be fine for the kitchen, since we have one window per wall. However, we were wondering about maybe adding a small window in the bathroom! And don’t worry, even in the kitchen we work as a team ;) have a great day!

[@macmcdonald9347]

@ my error (far left) to me was in the restroom. Thanks for the correction. Keep the smile that is broadcasted in your words. GO TEAM!

[@stevenschwagel8029]

Please consider putting in an escape hatch in the floor in case of an emergency.♥

[@johannepelletier7490]

J'adore votre bain 😁 beau travail 💕

Merci Jojo!!

[@alliewolf3392]

❤😊❤😊❤

[@BarefootJeff]

Glad to see you back at your beautiful home. Question...will you do an Outdoor shower too? Look forward to see your kitchen 😀

Thanks Jeff! We might, an outdoor shower sounds like a much more enjoyable experience, at least during the warmer months, so it might be a future project

[@bryanyankulov3162]

A a new subscriber to your channel ld like to offer well wishes in a long life of happiness in your living in your family cabin. God Bless ~

[@deborahashaw6044]

Hi Nick & Maela Happy New Years & glad to see you back ❤️❤️❤️ I know I did not spell your name right,but are you going to put a window & sink in your bathroom? ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@davelarsen9847]

Nice job guys, too bad you didn't put a window in the bathroom, might be worth exploring some time in the future. Amazingly fun to see how much snow fall you got in just one day, there will be a lot of shoveling for sure.

Perhaps we'll add a small one in the future. But in the short term we'll just add some lights

[@vickilemke8667]

love your fireplace been looking for 1 similar . does it have a name ?

[@littlegriffoffgridalberta6837]

It's coming along nicely :) So nice to see more young couple venturing out and working together to accomplish such a beautiful dream, are you planning to move there full time or just a weekend get a way cabin ?

We're moving in full time June 1st!

[@TheCHUCKY1992]

That's a wonderful little cabin. Looks very cozy. What are the dimensions? 12x12ft?

Thanks! Yes, 12x12ft :) plus the porch that is not livable right now, but will be covered for 3 seasons in the future!

[@dcranch4820]

I was thinking you maybe should of just shmimed up the bottom of your vertical posts. Maybe your cabin is done settling but if its not you will put a lot of pressure on your vertical posts. It took a few years for my log home to finish settling! Take care!

[@Krasim-ru6qi]

Finland

[@jknicknickerson674]

burn hard wood and not soft wood. Burns longer, produces more thermal BTU's and produces a lot less creosote.

[@jimecole7291]

having trouble hearing live audio.....

[@kennethmclean3679]

Are you adding a door lock? No hunters, etc in the area that might choose to use/take your things? What about a door handle?

We did add a lock a couple months ago!

[@vicentegomezrosa2752]

where are you from? and where is this cabin? It´s very beautiful work, congratulations for your success

[@antoinelemarier3567]

They are french-english couple in Québec. This cabin is in Matawinie region, north of city of Joliette in Lanaudière.

[@albertcobos8165]

Goofd work, as usual. I'm a bit curious about the small black far. I wonder how it works and what is its purpose... would be nice if you explain in future videos.

Thanks! Could you explain what you mean by the "small black far"?

[@albertcobos8165]

@ not far but fan, sorry for the typo

@@albertcobos8165 oh yes! It's a heat powered fan, it helps distribute the heat more evenly around the cabin. It works by having a warm side and a cold side which creates a voltage which powers the motor. Very cool science trick turned into a useful tool!

[@deniseeichemberger1620]

Coloca grades nas janelas nas portas. Para não entrar animais 🫎🦊🐻🙏

[@kennethmclean3679]

Will you do any hunting/trapping etc? fish, deer, rabbit, bear, must be around your land, no?

We don't hunt or fish

[@syednazim8254]

No exhaust in the toilet? Don’t you think the whole cabin will stink with bad odour

[@billmitchell7731]

Can you drink snow water ??

[@zizlog_sound]

Stick the Xmas you threw out into soil and it will keep growing. My dad used to do it quite a lot, growing a little forest. LOL. Might be ready for the next season yet. Another note on stapling electrical wires. Please don't do it. Although the ones you did seem to be low voltage DC, it's still not advised.

Oh good to know!! We’ll go rescue our little tree then ahah And fair enough, we were careful to not make the staples too tight so it wouldn’t damage the wire! But it’s a good reminder nonetheless :) thanks and have a good day !

[@zorandukic3208]

Kuca od drveta odlicna,bas mi se svidjaju i grede i daske.Lepo odradjeno.i solarni panel...ali mi se ne svidja gde si stavio toalet ..ne ide toalet u kucu gde spavas i jedes....mogao si da izbijes taj prozor,pa pored napraviti toalet i tus,i imao bi vise mesta u kuci....to je moje misljenje.veliki pozdrav iz Srbije..i nauci srpski da te ceo svet razume...ha ha ha.....

[@paulobernardi-ng2eu]

Existe alguma nascente de Água Potável nas Terras??? Ou vcs vão perfurar um poço ou simplesmente Filtrar e tratar a Água dos Riachos ???

Planejamos coletar água da chuva, bem como água de lagoas e córregos

[@kamilkrzempek5684]

Macie nie pokolenia te filmy

[@bard44]

If you don't leave the tops of the walls open, you will have to provide some other means of light to the bathroom. Leave the top boards off for more natural light. You will still have privacy.

Definitely a good option! We'll probably add some light in there anyways, it's a little dark even with the top open

[@nicbutterworth729]

Why did you wall the bath in? So now you hide in a box corner to have a bath when there is only the 2 of you there?

It won't always be just the two of us

[@robertdrolet5785]

Your skills with hammer grow up

[@jimster1111]

imo you should have kept the coca cola design on the tub and just touched it up with hand painting

We thought about it too, but we didn't want to advertise them on our channel, at least not for free haha

[@crabuki1273]

@ That's very fair. I admit I heard, "First we painted the outside black," and my heart went, "Noooooooooooooooooooo." ;-)

[@charliechristianson]

your cabin is going to settle 3/4s in, so that wall will be to tall.

[@brucewitcpalek5120]

If you watched the whole video, he explained about the cabin, settling, and why he does not believe it will !!!

[@paulandlaurahausman379]

My daughter's log home is still settling after 100 years. You should see the windows sills. They are ready to pop.

[@brucewayne2984]

Yes, it will settle. Young people just have to learn things on their own sometimes, that's part of the fun of life!

[@brucewitcpalek5120]

@@brucewayne2984 well it’s already been over two years and it did not settle so I beg to differ.

[@brucewayne2984]

@@brucewitcpalek5120 Dude, EVERY log cabin will settle, you can't stop laws of nature. It's all about moisture equilibrium I've had a number of friends that have had log homes built and their homes were still settling even after 6-7 years. It's not a big deal, it just happens and you can't stop it but you do have to account for it. Saying that a log cabin won't settle is like saying that fresh water won't freeze when it gets at or below 32 degrees F. If that log cabin hasn't settled, the top scientist from around the world should be called to study that phenomena!

[@tusk242]

Your logs did not look still fresh. And all the accurate detailing in your work, using wood to get correct measurements as you have. I have seen many people, usually men who say they could remodel, kitchen , bathroom, seen on You Tube neighbors who offered, saying their husband is a great remodeler, and offer to do the work half the price, only to create an neighbor enemy, seen on "YOU TUBE." looked as if someone had their 4 year old do it. YOUR WORK IS Great. considering what you are working with. MOST professionals need High tech tools. Arkansas USA, had in the 80's many log cabins built, when COUNTRY Life was" IN Style". NOT ONE is standing. They ROTTED

[@franzschiestl7015]

Super.

[@canadians2214]

By the way what province are you guys in. You are doing a good job on your cabin. See you in the next video.

[@christopheralanfields]

0:06 CHRISTMAS - NOT HOLIDAYS - HOLIDAY IS SHORT - FOR HOLY DAYS - UNSUBSCRIBED

[@TheJosip1000]

I think its a mistake to put a bathroom in a cabin. Give so much space to something you barely use, when you allready have so little space, is not a smart move.

We thought about it a lot, it's definitely lots of space. But we're used to having small living spaces, and the cabin still feels huge to us with the bathroom walls in haha. I don't think we'll regret it

[@mianoble9992]

Did you need to kill a young tree for hollydays !?

It was the top of a tree we already cut to build the cabin, not a living small tree