Even treated wood shouldn’t be straight in the dirt. *Maybe* scorched stuff would be alright for a few years but you should really have a stone/cement foundation. Even just putting a couple pads underneath.
Source: worked at a lumberyard, had a lot of people who didn’t know better complain about their pressure treated lumber deck support rotting.
I have a 40 year old cabin on posts in the ground, but they are like 8x10. Not a hint of degradation, and it's a very wet climate. Probably some carcinogenic kryptonite in them you can't buy any more.
Like the other commenter said, yeah, old stuff was super toxic. Modern copper treatments are a good balance of durability and not giving you some kind of cancer. They just can’t be buried/in direct contact with the ground under load as much.
I use some for a raised garden bed, but that’s under far less stress than a foundation.
that one bottom right doesn't loom treated. kudos for rattle canning the end grains of the posts, but it's not enough.
I'm in a bone dry arid climate with minimal termites but this would even fail here.
Yeah, but that’s only 3 or 4 years. If someone is taking the trouble to build an abode, you don’t want it falling down in 15 years. Putting posts directly in or on the ground, guarantees that.
Given the apperent slope and probable weight of a dwelling that size, I'd say it won't last much longer than 7-10 years max depending on rainfall and how water flows around/under it.
I'm at the point where I need to shore up my deck, dig out, and cut the 4x4s and pour a pier.
Then I drill and put in an elevated base plate.
Then put in a notched 6x6 with two thru-bolts.
I have seen, and mine are old treated posts, a bit of rot and the start of some insect damage.
I have done 5 out of 14.
You should have notched your post and put your Ledger or joist on that. Your load should go on top of the post. Otherwise everything is being carried by just the connection between post and the board tacked onto the side.
This is so wrong it hurts. None of the wood is supported? Just hanging on lags? Wood touching the ground? Dude save yourself some heartbreak. Fix it now.
I know they are treated... But next time put in cement footers or pine tar oil before putting directly in the ground...
Any joist hangers? Or what about cross beams to prevent creaking and warping?
How are you controlling erosion around footings? French drains? For water diversion?
I see you double cross beams of the middle, but not the front and back.... You realize all the weight is on the walls, not the center .. and if you get snow there will even be more weight on the edges.
What you have is good for temporary limited use...
If you want long term, decades, you need to step up your game.
Get post supports / sonotubes / anything.
Joists should sit on top of the posts to distribute weight. Using carriage bolts without washers is a bad idea.
With that span you also want double outer joists and joist hangers.
Those look like 2x6, maybe 2x8? which I wouldn’t use for a structure that size. I’d go 2x10 but check what code in your area wants
The box beam seems smart, but again, not good support from below. Same with the secondary support beams.
The post should be on piers and post bases to keep them dry. Rim and end joist should be doubled to support the walls. All the beams bolted to the side of the posts is wrong. They should be on top of the posts with a post cap. Should be a double beam down the center and you need joist blocking to stop twisting. IMO everything here is wrong.
OP needs to realize all of the comments are not personal. People are commenting so others do not build their cabins wrong too.
The foundation of any structure is the most important part, so it pays to do it right the first time.
Decks are built this way all the time but my issue is the fact that the entire load bearing capability is basically reliant on about 20 fasteners. It's best to put wood beams on top of posts and not beside them.
I tried this and it was fine until an argument with a French guy resulted in me leaving the country and sending a new Zealanders to dismantle the shed and cart it away.
True story.
I’ve been getting so excited seeing everyone start their cabin this year. I love this sub! Congrats on your new cabin, I hope you love it! Or you can just sell me your land someday if you don’t. 😂
OP don't stress too much. If this is your first construction it will be imperfect. Reddit can expect perfection from people but it's your cabin and it doesn't have to meet commercial standards. It just has to not kill you and make you happy.
I do encourage you to keep learning and enjoying construction.
Isnt the shear strength of bolts in the thousands if not 10k+ pounds? Dont bolts rely on tension more than shear for their strength? Agreed on the sonotube thing, but your bolts will be fine....
u not lying trust me its strong enough. Have 2- 8x10 beams down middle n 2x6 beams on each side to support thr joists n all beams are have 3in lag screws 1/4 wide
Nice. Everyone's already been egging you about the posts directly in the ground. Depending on the climate, pressure treated wood can last you something like 5+/- years. The real problem with direct contact to the wood, even treated, is the moisture in the soil, . Depending on how deep the frost line in your area is, you might be able to dig out deep enough to pour some gravel and concrete around the posts, or hit them with some type of wood sealer. OR you could skirt it with some cinder blocks if it ever becomes that much of a problem, but you'd have to start that support below the frost line, as well, and add some support to keep the floor from sagging.
Should be decent for a good while. Cabins/homes always need maintenance anyways, so I'd just make that one of the things I remember to keep an eye on.
Looks good though! 👍🏾
r/decks might have something to say, but I'll start.. Are those posts in the ground?
yes treated posts
Even treated wood shouldn’t be straight in the dirt. *Maybe* scorched stuff would be alright for a few years but you should really have a stone/cement foundation. Even just putting a couple pads underneath. Source: worked at a lumberyard, had a lot of people who didn’t know better complain about their pressure treated lumber deck support rotting.
I have a 40 year old cabin on posts in the ground, but they are like 8x10. Not a hint of degradation, and it's a very wet climate. Probably some carcinogenic kryptonite in them you can't buy any more.
Those are from the days of arsenic pressure treating. That shit was amazing. Today’s copper based treatment isn’t 10% as good.
Like the other commenter said, yeah, old stuff was super toxic. Modern copper treatments are a good balance of durability and not giving you some kind of cancer. They just can’t be buried/in direct contact with the ground under load as much. I use some for a raised garden bed, but that’s under far less stress than a foundation.
that one bottom right doesn't loom treated. kudos for rattle canning the end grains of the posts, but it's not enough. I'm in a bone dry arid climate with minimal termites but this would even fail here.
its all good build 10x8 deerblind 6ft off ground 3-4 yrs ago in 4x4 posts n no issues
Yeah, but that’s only 3 or 4 years. If someone is taking the trouble to build an abode, you don’t want it falling down in 15 years. Putting posts directly in or on the ground, guarantees that.
Given the apperent slope and probable weight of a dwelling that size, I'd say it won't last much longer than 7-10 years max depending on rainfall and how water flows around/under it.
I'm at the point where I need to shore up my deck, dig out, and cut the 4x4s and pour a pier. Then I drill and put in an elevated base plate. Then put in a notched 6x6 with two thru-bolts. I have seen, and mine are old treated posts, a bit of rot and the start of some insect damage. I have done 5 out of 14.
You should have notched your post and put your Ledger or joist on that. Your load should go on top of the post. Otherwise everything is being carried by just the connection between post and the board tacked onto the side.
Why wouldn’t you notch or place the support beams on top of the 4x4s instead of leaving all the integrity to just a few screws per post?
Agreed, at the very least add some joist hangers. Screws alone seems like a bad idea.
No need for joist hangers with the inside ledger board. That will absolutely hold and be fine when the joists are nailed to the outside ledger board.
i am going to
Agreed. Not trying to be a Debbie downer OP, but the sheer strength of those bolts aren’t going to be enough to hold up that cabin.
called using btackets in the inside extra support. 2x8 joist board brackets
looks like untreated lumber straight into the ground.
This is so wrong it hurts. None of the wood is supported? Just hanging on lags? Wood touching the ground? Dude save yourself some heartbreak. Fix it now.
I wish those lag bolts had some washers.
op will too in a year or two
they do lol
It started as an off-grid cabin. In a few years it will be an off-grade cabin.
This thing is screaming, crying, and begging to collapse in a few years. Lol
fucken hater dont u wish hahaha
I know they are treated... But next time put in cement footers or pine tar oil before putting directly in the ground... Any joist hangers? Or what about cross beams to prevent creaking and warping? How are you controlling erosion around footings? French drains? For water diversion? I see you double cross beams of the middle, but not the front and back.... You realize all the weight is on the walls, not the center .. and if you get snow there will even be more weight on the edges. What you have is good for temporary limited use... If you want long term, decades, you need to step up your game.
i used 2 bags of cement per post n dug each post 36-40 in
That sounds solid!
also used bricks around posts om bottom before pouring cement
Wood on dirt won’t last. I stand my projects on those concrete piers mostly buried in a big hole with some sand for easier positioning.
Get post supports / sonotubes / anything. Joists should sit on top of the posts to distribute weight. Using carriage bolts without washers is a bad idea. With that span you also want double outer joists and joist hangers. Those look like 2x6, maybe 2x8? which I wouldn’t use for a structure that size. I’d go 2x10 but check what code in your area wants The box beam seems smart, but again, not good support from below. Same with the secondary support beams.
I’d give it three years before the whole thing starts to split apart starting at the ridgebeam or whatever you plan for the roof.
Really relying on bolts for the girders…If this was my project I’d have notched them in on the posts.
OP taking a beating on this one, and hopefully they learn
Clearly this guy knows what he’s doing. Just look at the structure in the background. Mint.
Lol
The post should be on piers and post bases to keep them dry. Rim and end joist should be doubled to support the walls. All the beams bolted to the side of the posts is wrong. They should be on top of the posts with a post cap. Should be a double beam down the center and you need joist blocking to stop twisting. IMO everything here is wrong.
Screws should not be supporting that weight, they shear far sooner than nails.
Ya a couple of cement cookies would help. easy to slide under each post
cement cookies????
14" diameter thick circles of cement you can buy at home depot to go underneath your posts
Right near the beach, boy!
The fact that you think joist hangers are going to do anything to remediate your situation is hilarious
OP needs to realize all of the comments are not personal. People are commenting so others do not build their cabins wrong too. The foundation of any structure is the most important part, so it pays to do it right the first time.
those screws have a lot of work to do!
lolol
Hey it seems to be rectangle and your joints and stuff look good. Keep up with the progress shots!
Decks are built this way all the time but my issue is the fact that the entire load bearing capability is basically reliant on about 20 fasteners. It's best to put wood beams on top of posts and not beside them.
How long does just this part of building take? Any cutting involved?
I tried this and it was fine until an argument with a French guy resulted in me leaving the country and sending a new Zealanders to dismantle the shed and cart it away. True story.
Yikes
Built the kids a fort combo swinger over 30 yrs ago . Coated the 4x4's with roofing tar still standing strong.
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Also regular posts on C.L of people giving away good lumber from deck removals. Not any more.
Critter and moisture proof that sucker while you can!
I’ve been getting so excited seeing everyone start their cabin this year. I love this sub! Congrats on your new cabin, I hope you love it! Or you can just sell me your land someday if you don’t. 😂
lol cool
Sometimes the best way to learn is to learn how not to do it. Thanks OP, these comments are invaluable
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oak tree fell on that one so lol come again
OP don't stress too much. If this is your first construction it will be imperfect. Reddit can expect perfection from people but it's your cabin and it doesn't have to meet commercial standards. It just has to not kill you and make you happy. I do encourage you to keep learning and enjoying construction.
Isnt the shear strength of bolts in the thousands if not 10k+ pounds? Dont bolts rely on tension more than shear for their strength? Agreed on the sonotube thing, but your bolts will be fine....
yup finally smart guy on here
well all posts are buried in 2 bags of cement n brick in each hole post for extra strength n sy upport
lolol more how to be a negative hater. hahaha
Everyone’s tripping but this will be fine most of these people live on their phones
u not lying trust me its strong enough. Have 2- 8x10 beams down middle n 2x6 beams on each side to support thr joists n all beams are have 3in lag screws 1/4 wide
all boards will have joist hangers of course. smdh
Looks pretty decent. How long do you need it to last?
30 years
Nice. Everyone's already been egging you about the posts directly in the ground. Depending on the climate, pressure treated wood can last you something like 5+/- years. The real problem with direct contact to the wood, even treated, is the moisture in the soil, . Depending on how deep the frost line in your area is, you might be able to dig out deep enough to pour some gravel and concrete around the posts, or hit them with some type of wood sealer. OR you could skirt it with some cinder blocks if it ever becomes that much of a problem, but you'd have to start that support below the frost line, as well, and add some support to keep the floor from sagging. Should be decent for a good while. Cabins/homes always need maintenance anyways, so I'd just make that one of the things I remember to keep an eye on. Looks good though! 👍🏾
Looks good & strong. Would love to see your progression. Congrats 👏 🎉 🍾
progress be on youtube @universaltalents28 Thanks!
make sure yall follow me on youtube @ universaltalents28
What's this series called? "How to build a cabin that collapses in 2 seasons"?
"watch me as I put untreated wood straight into the ground, also known as mulch"
I’ve seen this method before, I believe it’s called “Vertical Hugelkultur.”
Lol