Building an Off-the-Grid Solar Cabin
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- This is a video documenting the process of building an off-the-grid cabin located over a mile from the nearest road. Basic carpentry skills are needed, but photos document how most of this was accomplished. The cabin's sole source of power is solar. The cost of this build was about $15,000 but there was no labor charges as it was self-built.
There is an outhouse that built to facilitate this cabin and that video can be seen here: • Building an Outhouse O...
Lighting used in this build can be found here: www.amazon.com...
Ceiling Fan used in this build can be found here:
www.amazon.com...
As a builder for over thirty years, Sir you did a wonderful job..
I do not see any reason for the thumbs down. Really nice cabin. I guess haters gonna hate.
Me either, all those are haters. I watched all these off grid videos and decided to build me a 3bedroom home in the island off grid and solar is pretty good.
I myself don’t understand the human nature of thinking of some folks as well???
They're just jealous haters too lazy to actually make it into reality
Many of them press it by mistake when going thru videos. I did it in the past.
Church Mike
Nice job guys! Great place for vacationing or would be a good size for permanent living for a small family. 20 years off grid in a small cabin and never a regret. Freedom!
Do you still have to work a full-time job? I'm in the process of going off grid but I don't want to work for someone else anymore. I want the freedom. I enjoy creating/building/making things. I plan to try to live just by building a small workshop and selling things I make. Worst case I may have to work somewhere but that kinda defeats the purpose of moving off grid.
@@jasonnies2169 I started a local pest control business and ran that for 10 years. Retired at 49 and now just write books and make videos: ua-cam.com/video/5unBTSGqEoM/v-deo.html
@@solarcabin nice. Once I sell my house I'll have enough to buy the chunk of woods I want, build a cabin, workshop, start a garden, build a chicken coop, install solar and all that good stuff without going into any debt. So basically I'll just need enough for my kids healthcare, small amount of food, taxes, and gasoline. I'll make it work one way or another lol I'm 35 so I figure I have some time but not any to waste!
@@jasonnies2169
L
Now this is cool. A memory a father and son will cherish for the rest of their lives. Great build. Great video. Thanks for sharing.
I'm currently in the process of buying/building and moving to an off grid cabin and starting a small homestead. This is great!
Thank you
One of the best build cabin that I have seen on youtube by par.
Thanks for your comment. I've had lots of activity on this video in the past week. Can you tell me where you saw the link? Thank you!
@@Michigan_Backwoods This one. "Building an Off-the-Grid Solar Cabin"
@@Michigan_Backwoods u tube brought it up on my home page
@@Michigan_Backwoods its that time of year , the season is the reason
Simple but beautiful. Amazing job
That loft ladder setup you have is great! Thanks for sharing your journey.
You might like to see this: ua-cam.com/video/uV5WHk162iA/v-deo.html
@@Michigan_Backwoods Hello MB I'm also a Michigander nice to meet you! Great build loved watching your video. I was also interested in your very unique, space saving stair/ladder combo. I tried your link and it was a no go so I was wondering if you might be able to check out what the problem might be? I'll be starting my cabin soon and it would be of great help to me thank you and I hope your enjoying your cabin!!
@@susanwhite2488 I think this is what I was trying to send you. ua-cam.com/video/BW4UQmM6ua4/v-deo.html
I’m not sure how many UA-cam videos I’ve seen in my life, but this could be the most enjoyable on many different levels. I’m about to purchase 76 acres for our family to enjoy. This was awesome and inspirational. Fist bump from East TN!!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Out of all the 'step-by-step' UA-cam videos, this is one of the BEST I've seen. Great job brother!
The counter-balanced stairs to the loft are awesome!!! Great Job!
Thanks so much!
I absolutley love this cabin. And a great bonding experience for you and your son. Enjoy
I eat sleep and breathe survival and self defense. Im in south central Louisiana....Cajun Country.
I think you did a great job. Great video. Well presrnted.
Enjoyed. Im an ex Army ranger now 63 years old. Im in the woods at least once a week for the last 32 years and I still do military hikes. I just completed 61 days out of my 19.8 lb backpack. Enjoyed the hell out of that. Have alligators and a few poisionous snakes where I go camping. Some of them become supper. Life is great. Thanks again........charles
... I commented earlier but, 4-got to mention.. you'll did a great job here & something to take much pride & sentimental.. & yur kid is a lucky son to have a father who'd do such a project let alone help financially or, even give the time.. the cost there is immeasurable.
I wish my father would do such a project for myself.. however, I ain't gotta dad cool like you so, I'll do it myself.. I hope your kid don't take it for granted like many do these days.
Thanks very much for your kind words! You can't put a price on the value of bonding with family and sharing the gift of the great outdoors!
from a 25yr carpenter & Michigan native......well done Bob.
Great Father Son time , yall did a wonderful job . It wal stand for generations to come..
I know this isn’t a recent video but UA-cam just recommended it to me on my home page. You did an amazing job building this cabin. It’s honestly the best one I have come across here on UA-cam. You & the rest of your helpers should be very proud of it! It’s beautiful! I have fallen in love with it watching your video ☺️💕
Thank you so much!
You made my life problems go away for 17 minutes. Thank you
Glad you enjoyed the video!
Wow this is the best 20 minutes of my day.
You approached this project with forethought and diligence, and together with your team created a thing of great beauty and utility. I admired your swing-up loft ladder,
The time-lapse photograph and your narration were both illustrative and descriptive. Enjoy. it
Thank you from Greg in rural Thailand.
Thank you!
You might like to view this just published today: ua-cam.com/video/uV5WHk162iA/v-deo.html
All I can say is “WOW”. My daughter, son-in-law and grandkids moved last year from San Diego to Michigan (Grand Rapids area). Dreaming of building something like this on their property one day. ❤️
Good luck!
You didn't just build a cabin, you made memories along the way and each hunting season to come. Great looking cabin, thanks for sharing.
Ahh good ole 2017 when lumber was affordable!
Thank you for sharing this video. My 24 year old son and I will be building a cabin on our land this summer. Great design!
Best of luck!
Really lovely cabin and the bunk beds are a great idea especially if you have the loft space. Cheers for the informative video. You narrated it very well.
Glad you enjoyed it
The memory with your son will always be remembered. Awesome!
Wow....awesome job. Your son will remember this for the rest of his life.
Thanks much!
Wow, the attention to detail. Such a fantastic job!
One of the nicer little cabin builds that I've seen in awhile. Great job guys! Decent video and music selection. Really appreciate the laid-back narration it made it way more enjoyable. Looks like you've got yourselves a sweet lil spot in the woods to enjoy for a long time to come.
You pulled out all the stops. Impressed with your vented porch soffit. You are a great father and mentor. They will always remember this that you built for them and with them.
Thank you!
One of the prettiest cabins that I have seen to date on UA-cam. Absolutely love the design and building material choices. Fantastic job. Projects like these become a huge challenge as we age.
Looks great, A very simple pan that came together beautifully. I know you had fun building that with your son.
Gorgeous. Your son was so right about building this cabin.
Your narration of this build was awesome. Y'all did a great job on your cabin....looks like a very peaceful and relaxing place😁
That's one heck of a man cave! I built homes for over 25 years, nice job you all did.
My dad and I are currently in the middle of our cabin build. This video has given me some great ideas! Thanks for sharing! great video!
I agree with Greg Summers. You made my day! Thank you for such easygoing documentation of this wonderful project! I will come back to this for reference for my own camp in da U.P.
I was very curious as to whom the director of this fine film was. Now I see that it was Bob. Great job directing Bob.
Thanks!
This is something special. Once I finish college and save up for a few years, I wanna build a cabin just like this. I'd probably need a bigger solar power system, because while I do love the outdoors, I also love my videogames. Lol
Good job sir! You done did good.
Jordon........glad you liked the video! As for a more robust solar system so you can play video games.........leave them at home. The idea is to create a space to get AWAY from those luxuries, breath fresh air and enjoy nature. There is a time and place for them, I get it and respect your enjoyment of them..........but when you combine those modern comforts with an off grid cabin you essentially create an paradox (a "modern primitive" cabin). Binge the video games when you get home, absence makes the heart grow fonder..........
I’m not from Michigan but I do have to say…that is the coolest Adirondack chair I have ever seen on your front porch!
Thank you!
Gorgeous! I grew up in western PA deer hunting country and have seen a lot of hunting “camps”...but never one like this. This is so nice.
The stairs are awesome!!! Been trying to figure out mine, that is an excellent idea!!! Thank you!
Love the porch "Michigan" chairs. The entire project is great.
Shirley Anderson those are Adirondack Chairs. Michigan style!
Beautiful! The hard work shows in your finished product. Very nice job!
What a well thought out cabin; lovely detail work with the log furniture and trim! I’m sure your son and yourself will share this memory of working together on his idea. What a wonderful father you are to do this project with him. Your wife is a lucky lady! Blessings to you, Sir.
Thank you!
Absolutely stunning. Thanks for a comprehensive instructional video. Beautiful legacy for your son and generations to come.
Absolutely beautiful. I'm envious. Actually looking to do the same thing, even buy 4 or 5 acres of land up in the Upper Peninsula.
Wow, you thanked God. You gave Him credit for giving you the dream, then putting the motivation and the drive in your heart to get the project off the ground and to stay hard at it until it was finished. That's my paraphrase but that's what I got out of what you said. Love it! That means His purpose is in it and will be in it no matter what the future holds for it or you.
Thank you, and yes, that was what I was saying. He is the motivation for all I do!
Great job, the cabin is deceptively small from the outside. It's only when you see the internal pic's that you realize how big it is.
I have property and it is off grid also in northern Michigan. This is probably the 4th time I watched your build and enjoy it every time. Thanks
Thanks, Bob!
Excellent. I especially like the lighting ambiance, LED & wainscoting. Special touch were the taxidermy ducks. 5 star all around IMO.
Stunning, mostly I thank you that you lifted up the name of God for enabling you to build this gorgeous cabin. A great job and well done indeed!!
Great video!! it's like listening to a narration by Richard Dreyfus.
Yeah true!
"That's a twenty footer!" "Twenty-five. Three tons of him."
"Hooper drives the boat, Chief."
@@keepingitreel...8037 Like the part when he mocks them and sticks tongue out.
Thanks One idea on the floor would be to install cleats to the bottom of the floor joists and screw plywood sheets to them from topside then fill with insulation. Just a thought
Yes, great suggestion!
Finally someone that builds something properly. I think everyone that watches will agree we would all take that building over most on youtube! Congrats and enjoy.
Absolutely breathtaking, I wish I had the resources to build one for my family. My boys would think this was the best thing in the world, my daughter and wife would say "meh" but secretly love it.
Putting spacers between the siding and house wrap is an excellent practice.
When I built a SIP house with a buddy, we used what he called reverse board and batten, rough cut 1x8s with 1/4" plywood strips, 3" wide, behind them, with a 1" gap between boards. This left an airspace behind the boards to breathe. Looking at this project, we should've included something like the product he used, behind the boards at the base, to prevent critters and insects from getting up in that space.
Tom Lampros I don’t recall what the product is called but it’s a kind of like flashing but it is installed with a strip of flashing behind the house wrap and the siding sits on a shelf that has small weep holes small enough that spiders and creepy crawlers in but will move vapor or water. It really helps to vent siding.
Thanks. Please post the product name if you recall. I'm looking at a similar design for a small (tiny) home.
I thought the tyvek house wrap served the purpose of letting it breathe? I'm not an expert, so please let me know
@@gradyogrady right, the tyvek lets the house breathe.
Built like a true professional !
You Sikkens wood coating looks great, will last forever, they make the paints for BMW.
Perfect build with the larger roof on one side for porch roof and loft is genius . The build was beautifully done because it was built by the owners in genuine pride. Peace
google
All I need is this and a 2 car shop , I could live in a place like this , very nice job you did , Thanks for your video !!
Rick79859 l use to want a garage with living space above it .Just an idea
Excellent plan of action , narration and completion . Well done. Very enjoyable!!
Nice... I liked the "Michigan" Adirondack chairs too. :)
Wait, we're not talking about the pivoting staircase contraption thingy?
I know, right!?! Great cabin, though.
WOW, I love the cabin. I could live in that permanently off grid. I've been pondering the idea of a off grid cabin to live in. I have property also in Northern Michigan and I can put the cabin approximately 2 miles out in the woods. You guys did a wonderful job on the cabin. It gave me some ideas for sure.
My husband and I love what you have done, we have been following a pipe dream to live in the forest. Thank you for the great tips!
Old saying: "dont do anything till your sure".
Just saying these projects are seriously much harder than it looks. $$$ for one.
By the way GREAT JOB.
Wow what a beautiful job and I know you to have memories forever👍
I just saw a vid of BOSSOFTHESWAMP , he spoke of skirting the base to keep cold out / ect. from under the floor and showed his results . Great Build , Ty for the vid .
John McCallum
After my cabin is done (including bathroom add on and covered porches) I plan on doing cordwood construction around the base for just that reason... I’m still trying to decide if I want to add vents or leave it unvented and with an access door from inside and leave that open on occasion with wood stove running to keep it dry under there... oh well, as slow as the construction is going, I probably have two to three years to decide.
Boss of the swamp is an amazing man
Beautiful. Your narrative was excellent 👍. All the best to you and your family. May the Lord bless you all.
Thank you so much!
Your spacing the steps of the build are very well thought out, it really flowed well
Thank you very much for the kind comments!
Beautiful cabin, one finishing touch would be to add boards between the steps of the porch stairway closing it up. Help keep those pesky beavers out from under your cabin.
Great idea! I'll add that to my plan!
Beautiful cabin and excellent, informative video. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it
Well done. I live in michigan as well. Love the idea of off grid small homes.
Wow, to be talented enough to create such a beautiful cabin in the middle of wilderness.
This is one of the most well thought out and implemented designs I have ever seen on here. And on top of that, you also did one of the most articulate and to the point narratives as well! Congratulations on a job well done. I hope you and your son, and family and friends get years of enjoyment out of your project!
Thank you, Robert!
Buddy you did an AAA job on this cabin . I'm trying to find some land in Oklahoma and plans are to build a cabin like yours, and 2 tiny houses ,, later after the cabin,, for my son and my brother. Hope mine goes as well as your, again an absolutely beautiful job. P.s. mine is to live in full time.
Great video thank you for involving us on your journey!
2.1 million views! Congrats on a great cabin and successful video.
Thank you!
I really like the build. Reminds me of the off-grid cabin my wife and I built over the last 3 years. Differences for sure but about the same idea. I like the Adirondack chair with part of the state of Michigan for the back rest. We haven't done any solar as we have very few areas that aren't shaded, but the wood stove is great. Nice job and cool you did it with your son.
Super nice cabin! Really enjoyed watching the build process and listening to your reasons for making certain decisions. I hope you’re still enjoying it and will be for many years to come!
Cool build. 7:38 The way your 4x4s porch posts support the 2x6 beams can be improved by either sitting on top of the posts, or notch out the 4x4s, or add 2x6s to each post to butt up against the bottom of the 2x6 beams. Otherwise, the load (snow) rests on however many nails you used to attach the 2x6s .
Yeah it was built with a shear load subfloor. Hopefully they didnt use screws! Not a common way of building, but they'll get maybe 10 years out of it.
Noticed that as well. A retrofit fix would be to add some additional 2x4s under the rim joists to transfer some load off the nails.
Excellent video and build. Really enjoyed it.
Glad you enjoyed it
Excellent job, very nice Cabin.
What a lovely Home .
Really nice. Many memories will be made in that special place. Sometimes throwing 'caution into the wind' brings an unexplainable happiness and satisfaction.
I want a small cabin like this to live in im 52 single and just wanna relax an play with my hobbies ,maybe a small hobbie shop at some point on the back side be nice on mine ,lol
make your dream come true sir, mick from uk
I hear you. I lost my 16 year old son to cancer 3 yrs ago who looked very much like this young man helping his dad.
It’s a beautiful cabin Made me think about me and my boy how I wish he was here and we coukd of done similar. We would of built it same way
Had a few of his friends hunting and great times being together. Other times woukd of just been me and my boy. The table would be where we woukd either play some cards or fiddle with hunting gear I don’t envy anyone I just miss my boy. It’s about killed us with grief but I know where he is and now I just wait to join him. Wife and I are alone now with no one Talking today how we wish somehow we could meet a nice family and somehow become a part Weird I guess. Even weirder I went into all that on this reply when all I meant to say is great job on the cabin and what a good boy you have there and to the boy what a great dad you have. Take care of each other Don’t let the worlds system pull and separate you
I don't know where you live at but I purchased a place down in wappapello Missouri for $18,000 on 3 acres of land it's not a log cabin but it's a cabin it's two bedroom with a third bedroom built off the back but it's not really a bedroom it was used as a bedroom by the previous family it was a 3 season porch converted into a room I just use it for storage now anyway the people who lived there ended up passing away and their kids lived out in California and they just tried to sell it but the bank wouldn't give anybody a loan on the property because the house was in really bad shape so I offered them 16000 we settled on 18.... In that area 18000 would have only bought the land they pretty much got the house for free especially because it has water in city power and it's a thousand feet from the lake after 2 years of weekends it's completely remodeled and I furnished it shopping online at places like Craigslist and thrift stores although I did buy a couple of new TVs and a new refrigerator and all new kitchen cabinets and a new water heater all said and done after all the work I put in I'm into it for under $25,000 comprable cabins in that area go for $100,000....... If you want a cabin just keep looking you'll find something I looked for a couple of years before I found mine
You can do it 👍
Joseph Atnip
Thanks for the advise
I don’t know where that is in Missouri but will look it up
I appreciate you sharing that with me. Truth is I won’t ever buy one now that my son is gone. Or at least I don’t see myself doing it soon. My boy and I loved our times together in woods and fishing and now he is gone and I just feel lost I have always been very very drawn to outdoors. Lakes or derp woods where no one is at. It’s God’s handiwork I still love it and still desire to get out there but that was also destroyed when my cousin who was like a brother about a year after my boy died came to me wanting to buy my land as we both bought 20 acres each in southern In and when we did we agreed if either one sells they give the other first chance at fair market value. He wanted it after a year as I waited that first year not knowing how hard it would be. I had to sell my businesses and couldn’t work for two years so it cost a lot to be able to do thst. But when he came to me wanting to buy it I thought maybe I should as hadn’t worked ( losing him almost killed wife and I ) in 2 years. I gave him price lower then avg appraisal and he flipped out saying I owed him for helping me with my boys funeral etc.abd thst I should give it to him for what I paid. We got it cheap and land had just went up year prior
Anyway sorry I’m ranting I’m tired and that’s what happens
Point is our relationship is shot and I sold the land and have no where to go. I just looking for a place I coukd go for few days. Even with the owner to set and talk and let me see what I coukd do for them while there It’s easier now to meet and enjoy complete strangers then it is anyone I knew before my son passed. Everyone is very uncomfortable and friendships are not the same
I looked and can’t really find a little place out by itself to rent
If u ever want company for a day or two I’m 55 white no drugs married for 31 years easy to get along with no criminal record and leave things better then I find them
Or I woukd also consider renting it if u want to do that and you can be there to ?
Just a thought. Sorry it’s a little forward but just seemed easy to ask not knowing you but that small chance u might say yes
Do u have any kids that enjoy it with you ?
Is that part of Missouri hilly or mountainous of more flat ?
Awesome video! Well constructed and very informative!
you did a awesome job id be very proud of your build good skills
Thank you for sharing. Y'all did some BEAUTIFUL Work !!! Thank you forsharing the detailed info on how to go with 12 volt as well. Much appreciated!
Glad it was helpful!
I've watched MANY off grid cabin builds and this one is BY FAR my favorite.
AWESOME JOB👍
Wow, thanks!
Great job, thanks for sharing it with us!..
Love it, Love it, Love it‼️👍👍 Vinny 🇺🇸
Thank you for thanking God, not the universe
😊
I think we are in agreement---God made the universe, who thanks the universe? I'm often perplexed by those who state they don't believe in God because you can't see Him, touch Him, or hear Him............yet they believe in the endless and vastness of the universe and space, which has no finite end, can't be touched or talked to either.........which begs the question: who created the universe? How does one believe in an egg if you don't believe in chickens? Wishing you the best........
@@Michigan_Backwoods thanks. Same to you and yours!
Absolutely love your creation - I would happily live the rest of my life in a cabin like this!
I started to watch out of mild curiosity, and ended up watching the whole thing. Nicely done video, and an excellent cabin that I hope gives you many good years in return.
Very nice 👍 Brovo my friend!!!
"The cost of this build was about $15,000" WOW !!! Nice build . I would just go ahead and live there . Come too town about once a month ; )
I live in northern Michigan. Near ludington. Nice video
Sweet we have a cabin in Bitley and live in Ravenna what a small world 👣❤
Loved the ladder with the counter weight. I am starting mine in the spring and will use that idea.
Well documented and articulated. I enjoy the gentle voice and the detailed workmanship. Nice hunting cabin, enjoy for many years.
What a great video, I can only imagine that the people who hit thumbs 🔻 hate themselves not the video.