Constructing the first floor platform for our cabin in the forest - Cariboo Adventure Vlog #11

The next step in constructing our cabin in the forest was building the first floor platform (or deck). We wanted to have an extra rigid and solid floor in our cabin, so after reinforcing the foundation beams, we constructed a super sturdy frame of 2x8 joists, and covered it with 3/4" tongue and groove plywood. This cabin in the woods is going to be sturdy!
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[@717UT]

The way you reinforced everything was probably wise. I bet that is a very solid floor for your cabin.

[@CaribooAdventure]

Yes, we’re very happy with it! Two winters later and everything is still level! 😃

[@carlnelson7358]

Well, that floor is definitely sturdy!

[@CaribooAdventure]

It sure is, very happy with the end result :). Thanks for subscribing!

[@marshallworden4092]

Looking to see more video's of the build. Good luck moving forward.

[@CaribooAdventure]

Thank you! Lots more footage coming very soon :)

[@andyramz1705]

Awesome 👏🏼

[@CaribooAdventure]

Thank you! 🙏

[@ShikokuFoodForest]

Wow! You are building such a strong floor. Good choice to upgrade to 2”x8”s. Did you use 1/2” or 3/4” plywood? Great, fast progress! Must have been such a good feeling to get the floor finished. You’re doing everything perfectly. Do you have prior building experience? I figure you must be experienced at carpentry or have really done your research on best building practices. Good for you!

[@CaribooAdventure]

Thanks so much! The 2x8’s were definitely the right choice. For the plywood we went with 3/4”. That, and blocking between the joists at 4’ on center made everything super rigid and strong. As for previous building experience: I had none at all before this cabin (other than the outhouse). Just lots and lots of research (KZbin and some books) and try as I go :)

[@chrisfraser1731]

This is all so awesome. We just love the Cariboo and are seriously considering moving up there (but not building our own place). This may be too personal a question but how do 2 wedding photographers afford to buy and build all of this? I feel like I'm watching house hunters and they say "I'm a barista and I'm a stamp collector, our budget it 2 million!". Loving all these videos, thanks so much for documenting it!

[@CaribooAdventure]

Haha, I totally get that! We were lucky that the land was so cheap!! When we purchased it, it had been for sale for two years. (And on a somewhat undesirable slope 😂, we had literally seen it before and wondered “why would anyone buy that”) Also lucky with our timing as it was in the beginning of the pandemic before all prices went up. At the current rates we wouldn’t have been able to do it! We received a loan from a family member for purchasing the land. For the rest of the construction we put in our savings and are currently still saving up for the well. It’s definitely not cheap. But compared to buying a house, it’s peanuts! 😉

[@CaribooAdventure]

Good luck with the search!!

[@mushinman1]

Nice job, thanks for the details on the nail spacings and lumber sizes. What books did use use for reference?

[@CaribooAdventure]

Thank you! A lot of KZbin videos, but our absolute favourite book is from Larry Haun! amzn.to/3H01V0R (many of his videos are on KZbin too) He left an incredible legacy.

[@mushinman1]

@@CaribooAdventure Thanks

[@steveg665]

Cool. I'm very curious on how you're insulating/plumbing the platform in terms of freezing and where you're locating your well pump.

[@CaribooAdventure]

Thank you! Insulation for the floor will probably be spray foam (not set in stone yet), because it’s easiest to apply from the crawl space, and it should be pretty wildlife-proof. Plumbing is only for grey water (we have the outhouse, and maybe will add a composting toilet), so fairly easy to install in the crawl space. As for incoming water, we haven’t looked into the logistics yet, but the pump will either be under the staircase, or in a shed (to be built) outside. Find out in a future video :)

[@ShikokuFoodForest]

@@CaribooAdventure Sounds like you are making very wise choices along the way. May I ask how you are learning and making these decisions? I am planning my first cabin build myself and am constantly studying building science through reading online and watching many KZbin videos. I’ve heard using spray foam under your floor is one of the best for keeping rodents out and sealing the floor really well.

[@Gerald-i6w]

If you ever have to pull that floor up off the joist you’re gonna wish you never put that glue down. I’ll guarantee it.

[@CaribooAdventure]

Agreed! We hope we never have to! 😬

[@kwarts]

Ziet er strak uit. Vr. Gr. Christiaan

[@CaribooAdventure]

Hartelijk dank :)

[@jshepard152]

Just curious...is there a reason you didn't use joist hanger hardware?

[@CaribooAdventure]

Ah because all the joists are laying on the beams. They’re not hanging. Later on for our ceiling we did. 😊

[@DeusVolo]

Cost in materials to get this far, including the piers?

[@CaribooAdventure]

The cost of the concrete pouring (transportation was far + higher minimum order than we needed) was 1600. The pier tubes and footings about 600. The post saddles about 100 total. The lumber: pressure treated 2x12’s, tongue and groove plywood, 2x8 non pressure treated (Plus a bunch of screws etc) around 2500. Luckily the wood prices have gone down again. It’d be better now.

[@kevincerce5056]

No insulation under the decking?

[@CaribooAdventure]

To be done in the future. Not a priority in the limited time we had

[@kevincerce5056]

@@CaribooAdventure Sounds like a plan, smart you are.

[@jseif5844]

Turn up the volume

[@CaribooAdventure]

Will do! Thank you :)

[@ronnyaelbrecht6240]

nice dance 😉

[@CaribooAdventure]

Haha, thank you! That means you watched it allll the way to the end. 😂

[@elmedia1532]

What is your square footage?

[@CaribooAdventure]

It’s 16 feet by 20 feet. (And a second floor minus the staircase opening, I’d have to dig through our notes to find the exact size of that, hehe)

[@bijoybarua5615]

Friend your home floor total how meny square feet?

[@CaribooAdventure]

Thanks for the question! 320 sq ft/floor

[@bijoybarua5615]

Thank you

[@Chiliyip]

What're the dimensions ?

[@CaribooAdventure]

It’s 16 x 20 feet. :)

[@Chiliyip]

@@CaribooAdventure thanks, looks great so far.

[@CaribooAdventure]

Thank you!

[@sandcrabspa4299]

Less of you talking and more of actual build video...too much skipping..

[@CaribooAdventure]

In that case you’re certainly not going to like our more recent videos. 😉