A Pier and Beam Foundation STRONGER Than Concrete? - Building a Tiny Cabin Ep. 1
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- Опубликовано: 1 сен 2022
- Our mountain cabin dream starts to come to life. A pier and beam foundation was selected to provide a solid foundation while minimizing cost. In the remote area where our cabin was built concrete was not feasible or cost-effective. I used CAMO Block Heavy Duty Foundation supports (amzn.to/3izOOw7) under my piers to provide a solid base. The blocks are easy to transport and are actually slightly stronger than concrete blocks of similar size in load-bearing capacity.
Unfortunately, it wasn't until after I had the piers and beams set and the floor joists down that one of our friends suggested filming the process. I'll try to do a better job showing the steps from here on out.
I started by digging holes deep enough to be below the frost line. In our area, this was about 4 feet. I then set 6x6 pressure-treated posts on CAMO Block heavy-duty deck blocks.
I started with the height I wanted at one post, and then I used a string line level to mark the rest of the posts. Unfortunately, the initial height I picked for the first post left the floor joists a bit too close to the ground, so I added some blocking to gain back enough height that I could still crawl under the floor.
I determined how many posts I needed by calculating the total weight of the building and dividing that by the weight capacity of the blocks (+ some margin) and the weight capacity of our soil. I then used a span chart to see how big of beams I needed to span the 6 - 7 feet between the posts. I ended up with 3 - 2x8s ganged together into 20' beams. I attached the beams to the posts using 14" lag screws. I will also be adding some strap metal to give it additional lateral strength.
I then used a span chart again to determine I needed 2x8 floor joists on 16" centers to support my 12' width. I attached the rim joists to each floor joist with 3 1/2" screws and framing nails. I attached each floor joist to the beams with hurricane ties.
Let me know in the comments if you have any further questions about what I did in the build, and I'll do my best to fill in the gaps.
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Here are the blocks I used under the 6x6 piers:
amzn.to/3izOOw7
Here are the hurricane ties I used to attach the floor joists to the beams:
amzn.to/3UryP07
Here are some resources to help determine how many piers your foundation will need:
dicausa.com/soil-bearing-capa...
www.finehomebuilding.com/foru...
Here is an explanation of how to use span tables:
awc.org/publications/tutorial...
Here are a few tools that are handy for this type of build:
Speed Square - amzn.to/3H78XUk
Level - amzn.to/3P5sRB9
Line Level - amzn.to/3gX9WMg
Framing Hammer - amzn.to/3VARyYQ
Bar Clamp - amzn.to/3VDXXC2
Skil Saw - amzn.to/3gWMBdD
Sawzall - amzn.to/3VpF8CO
Impact Driver - amzn.to/3UtZQQA
Framing Nailer - amzn.to/3VPDkmk
Air Compressor - amzn.to/3itedHD
I've been pleased with the small inverter generator I've used on this project. Unfortunately, the model I used is no longer available. However, @johnnysweekends does a great job reviewing generators that are comparable to the one I'm using:
• Generators
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#tinycabin #cabinbuild 
Хобби
It's refreshing to see parents allow their children to explore, be a part of the project! Parenting done right 100%. Stay safe and God bless
Thanks. I’m trying to do my best to give them at least some experience building and exploring what’s out there in the woods.
Look at the little man ready to work. Super awesome!
Yep, he's quite the little supervisor! He keeps me on track!
I would have loved to see HOW you were building it. I am designing a cabin for myself. Foundation design, etc.
Sorry about that. Unfortunately, it wasn't until after I had the piers and beams set and the floor joists down that one of our friends suggested filming the process. I'll try to do a better job showing the steps from here on out.
I started by digging holes deep enough to be below the frost line. In our area, this was about 4 feet. I then set 6x6 pressure-treated posts on CAMO Block deck blocks: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09ZGK753L/
I started with the height I wanted at one post, and then I used a string line level to mark the rest of the posts. Unfortunately, the initial height I picked for the first post left the floor joists a bit too close to the ground, so I added some blocking to gain back enough height that I could still crawl under the floor.
I determined how many posts I needed by calculating the total weight of the building and dividing that by the weight capacity of the blocks (+ some margin) and the weight capacity of our soil. I then used a span chart to see how big of beams I needed to span the 6 - 7 feet between the posts. I ended up with 3 - 2x8s ganged together into 20' beams. I attached the beams to the posts using 14" lag screws. I will also be adding some strap metal to give it additional lateral strength.
I then used a span chart again to determine I needed 2x8 floor joists on 16" centers to support my 12' width. I attached the rim joists to each floor joist with 3 1/2" screws and framing nails. I attached each floor joist to the beams with these hurricane ties:
www.lowes.com/pd/Simpson-Strong-Tie-Hurricane-Tie-Z-MAX/3047195
Let me know if you have any further questions about what I did in the build, and I'll do my best to fill in the gaps.
Good luck with your design and build!
Yes, I'm still kicking myself for not filming from the beginning. I've tried to get more details as the build continued.
Here is a good article that does a good job explaining how to use span charts to determine floor joist spans: awc.org/publications/tutorial-for-understanding-loads-and-using-span-tables/
There are similar tables out there to determine beam size as well. This forum seems to have a lot of resources: forestryforum.com/
I first calculated the weight of my building with 140 lbs/sq ft snow load. Then I divided that in half because I was using 2 beams. I used 4 posts under each beam so I then divided the half load by 3. With 4 posts under a 20' building, the span was about 6.5 feet. I then looked up the beam size that would handle that span. I ended up with beams made of 3 2x8s.
Very cool video. You mentioned in the comments that the beams are attached to the posts using 14" lag screws. I was wondering if you end up adding some brackets to keep it in place, but also, do you "toenail" the screws? Thank you for the video!
I was planning on adding diagonal 4x4 bracing to give it extra wind resistance strength and also add steel straps to further strengthen the bond between the beams and the posts. I didn't toenail the screws, they were put in straight vertical into the end grain of the posts. Not the best for holding again uplift, but I figured that plus the straps should secure it well.
@@tinycabinpnw Thank you for sharing your experience, it really helps.
Sehr schönes Video und gute Arbeit 👍
Thanks for the kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Nice build so far. Did u put anything under the blocks, ie cement etc? Thanks.
Thanks Elwood. At that depth the soil was decaying granite so the blocks are sitting on that.
@@tinycabinpnw - appreciate your response, helps much!
What wood piers are made of ? ( name of tree ). Thank you before.
The wood piers are pressure-treated southern yellow pine 6x6. The piers are sitting on Camo Heavy Duty Deck Blocks to increase the weight-bearing capacity:
www.homedepot.com/p/CAMO-15-75-in-x-15-75-in-3-5-in-Block-Heavy-Duty-Polyolefin-Deck-Block-420001/319396055
He’s a good father.
Thanks for the kind words. I’m far from perfect, but I give it my best.
I like the idea of the camo blocks. Don’t understand why they say you are not supposed to bury them. Where did you purchase yours?
I think I got my through Amazon or Home Depot online. They seem to have worked well so far.
How far apart did you set your piers? Looks good man!
The piers are about 6.5 feet apart and they sit under beams that are 12 feet apart. This gave me a total of 8 posts under my 12x20 cabin. Using the Camo Blocks footings under the piers it gave enough footing square footage to handle the weight of the cabin on sandy/gravel soil. If you wanted to provide extra load bearing capacity you could also put a beam and 4 piers down the middle for a total of 12 piers.
Hello, I’m guessing by the look of the forest your cabin location is not too far north. The trees are tall and healthy looking and no snow. All I saw was PNW, so my guess is WA or BC. Curious your location. I’m Canadian planning on building a cabin in northern BC. What are the dimensions of your subfloor?
The cabin build is in Washington State. I got started on the foundation in late summer so at the time there was no snow. That has changed a bit now. Last weekend I got stuck trying to drive in.
The dimensions are 12' x 20'. These dimensions made it easy to layout with 4x8 sheets with minimal cutting.
@@tinycabinpnw Looks like a beautiful spot you have for your cabin. I really miss the PNW. Are you planning on living there full time? Or is it a get-away, vacation cabin? Enjoy the build. Looks good so far.
@@ShikokuFoodForest The plan is to use it as a weekend get-away cabin, but I'm trying to build it complete enough that we could live in it if we wanted or needed to.
what is the black thing under the piers?
Those are CAMO Block heavy-duty deck blocks: amzn.to/3izOOw7
How many square feet is the cabin ?
It's about 200 square feet plus 96 more for the loft.
What did you fill the holes with?
About a 12-18" down, the soil is decaying granite and sand. I packed that around the posts with a tamping bar. This should hold the posts in place and still drain any moisture away.
@@tinycabinpnw Thanks, ill be using your exact pier and beam method to construct a small home as well. Seems like the most efficient and repairable.
Jutro idę kopać fundamenty tylko gdzie co i jak z kim itd
Thanks for the comment! Good luck on your foundation!
That kid aint even swinging a hammer.... Kids these days ;)
Yep all about the power tool these days! Lol
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Well why wasn't the 12voilt DeWalt strong enough 🤣😭
I know right?!
Most people watch videos like this to learn how to. Nothing was explained. Learnt nothing of value from watching
Sorry about that. Unfortunately, it wasn't until after I had the piers and beams set and the floor joists down that one of our friends suggested filming the process. I'll try to do a better job showing the steps from here on out.
I started by digging holes deep enough to be below the frost line. In our area, this was about 4 feet. I then set 6x6 pressure-treated posts on CAMO Block deck blocks: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09ZGK753L/
I started with the height I wanted at one post, and then I used a string line level to mark the rest of the posts. Unfortunately, the initial height I picked for the first post left the floor joists a bit too close to the ground, so I added some blocking to gain back enough height that I could still crawl under the floor.
I determined how many posts I needed by calculating the total weight of the building and dividing that by the weight capacity of the blocks (+ some margin) and the weight capacity of our soil. I then used a span chart to see how big of beams I needed to span the 6 - 7 feet between the posts. I ended up with 3 - 2x8s ganged together into 20' beams. I attached the beams to the posts using 14" lag screws. I will also be adding some strap metal to give it additional lateral strength.
I then used a span chart again to determine I needed 2x8 floor joists on 16" centers to support my 12' width. I attached the rim joists to each floor joist with 3 1/2" screws and framing nails. I attached each floor joist to the beams with these hurricane ties:
www.lowes.com/pd/Simpson-Strong-Tie-Hurricane-Tie-Z-MAX/3047195
Let me know if you have any further questions about what I did in the build, and I'll do my best to fill in the gaps.
Would this type of foundation work on say a 20'×40' Single story?
This concept should work for just about any size building. You will want to research how much a building with those dimensions will weigh when finished and then divide that weight by how much each post can support in your soil. Here are some resources to help determine how many piers your foundation will need:
dicausa.com/soil-bearing-capacity/
www.finehomebuilding.com/forum/how-much-does-a-house-weigh-3
For a building that size you will probably want a beam down the middle in addition to the outside beams. Then size your floor joists and beams according to those spans. Here is an explanation of how to use span tables:
awc.org/publications/tutorial-for-understanding-loads-and-using-span-tables/
Hope that helps.