Rehab of Lake Cabin in Alabama

[stricsm]

We bought this place 6 years ago and the first thing we did was close in the back deck and make it a sunroom using John's plans as a guide.  This old cabin is built on a slope and was built in stages.  The uppermost part was built first and the foundation for that part is an old trailer frame on posts/piers (low to ground).  We are closing in this part with dry stack natural rock.  Thought this approach might appeal to those using post/pier.  We hired a stone mason to do the job and he is truly an artist.  He bridged the distance from the ground to the wall using rock only; the distance was 18-24".  The rock is tied to the wall using brick ties.  He is also replacing our wooden front porch/deck with a flagstone patio.  Hopefully, I'm going to have enough funding for him to close in our bedroom (also post/pier) using concrete block/stucco.  Here are a few images of the work.




Image of front porch demo and old trailer frame.


Here's a view of the cabin from the water which shows the sunroom and attached deck (we added both)


Here's a view from our sunroom:

[stricsm]

The front porch has almost been replaced by a flagstone patio.  Still missing a few stones and grout.  Also, a stone step and a stone column base will be added.

[Sassy]

Beautiful rock work!  You won't have any problems with water in the flagstone patio?  You have some fantastic views of the lake - what a nice area!  Bet you get a lot of use out of the sunroom 

[stricsm]

Water is a constant problem.  Half of the patio is under a roof.  The patio is sloped away from the cabin slightly and downhill slightly.  All of it will be sealed every five years.  The flagstone is set in a 3-4" wet concrete bed with wire mesh embedded.  Hopefully it will be stout but it will require a sealer.  The sunroom is the most used room in the house - we call it our treehouse room because that is what it feels like.

[Gary O]

Your sun room is great!
That's where I'd be...sippin' a beverage and staring out at the lake....lost in thought.
Nice

[stricsm]

The rock guy is done with the front.  Now I've got to skim the PT column with a painted tapered column, paint the flashing a matching color, and seal the patio.  As soon as the weather allows, the rock guy is moving to the side to put in block in place of post/piers on our bedroom area and then if the budget will allow he'll put dry stack over the block.  Still got wood flooring to install in the bedroom before spring - - maybe.

[Bevis]

Nice work.  That looks like a cabin I saw in Waterloo, AL.

[Sassy]

Very nice 

[drainl]

I love the patio!  Do you happen to know what the rock guy used for grout? 

[stricsm]

Don't know for sure about the grout.  He usually mixes everything himself.  I'll ask him the next time I see him.

[stricsm]

Finally got around to putting an awning over my basement door to try to keep the rain from saturating it.  Couldn't find any suitable awning brackets so I built these from 2X4 scraps.  Have to replace the flashing tomorrow; the metal company cut it too short.

[stricsm]

Awning complete.  I used Simpson stair brackets to attach to structure in addition to pocket screws.