Version 4.1.4 - 11.26.2025
- Added "GPS" and "PU" foam insulation as an option for SIP wall panels.
- Enabled insulated (filled) custom headers for windows, doors and garage doors: XPS, ISO, EPS, GPS, PU.
- Insulated headers can be customized/created with the Global Settings similar to standard (OSB/PLY) headers.
- Added a QHQ Single Hung window to the window draw and edit menus.










All updates per customer requests.

Hello Everyone,

New member here looking for feedback on an idea I have. We are looking to build a new camp at our property in Northern New Hampshire, we like the floor plan for the 1.5 story cottage and will likley base it on that. My idea is to pour an arctic slab for the 20x30 footprint and then build a 30" wall to create a crawl space for storage and access to plumbing and wiring and then build the cabin on top of that.

Pros/cons, things I should be concerned with? Is it just a bad idea?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Tutorial 2 - Lateral Stability (18:31 min.)

Version 0.8.4 - 11.21.2025
- Fixed a bug with partial bearing at end supports.
- Added the bearing area factor (Cb) to the bearing calculations and adjustment factors table.
- Added the "Braced at Supports" option to the top and bottom lateral bracing options.
- Fixed the lateral bracing algorithm for bending so that blocking at supports is enabled (bracing at top and bottom).
- Fixed the algorithm for lateral bracing so that the unbraced length is correctly calculated.

Version 0.8.3 - 11.12.2025
- Enabled a detailed and simple engineering report/analysis for sawn lumber beams.
- Added an option to switch between Euler-Bernoulli and Timoshenko beam analysis.
- Report now includes live load and total load deflection graphs.
- Shear, Moment and Deflection graphs can be toggled to all load combinations within the report.

Tutorial 1 - Beam Calculator


I'm very excited about this release, it is the first time in history (that I know of) that one can do actual engineering all within SketchUp.  The API is magical, you can turn SketchUp into just about any thing you can imagine.

Here are a couple examples, everything should be complete, but I will now spend the next couple of weeks error checking and seeing if I can break the engine or the report formatting. I will also need to test against other third party programs to make sure all my calcs are indeed correct. It is amazing how easy it is to make errors in the code on something this extensive.

https://design.medeek.com/resources/engplugin/TEST1/EB_TEST1_2SPAN_1POINT_REV8.pdf

https://design.medeek.com/resources/engplugin/TEST1/EB_TEST1_3SPAN_3POINT_REV1.pdf

Currently the calculator will only handle sawn lumber beams. Once I'm fairly certain I've eliminated any bugs or other issues I will then extend the logic so we can handle glulam and timber beams. Once that is done I will probably next work on LVL, LSL, and PSL and then finally I will include the ability to analyze various I-joists from the major manufacturers.

I've been slowly working on this for about three months now, probably another month to go.

Hi Tia,

If you haven't already taken a glance at the Big Enchilada Plans Kit, that's basically the problem it was designed to solve (although it's not a pre-fab kit, just the plans). You'd probably start with the Little House or Builder's Cottage (all included in the kit) and then grow from there, with the Sunroom, Greenhouse & Skylight Plans (also included). You can get as creative as you want as your space/design needs evolve and since all those options come with it, you can do some mental modeling and pre-plan a bit more than you otherwise might be able to.

Here's a link: https://countryplans.com/big-enchilada.html
And here's a link to a few examples of what other folks have done with the plans: https://countryplans.com/gallery.html
(just search the text of the page for "Enchilada", "Builder's Cottage", or "Little House" to find the other links)

Best to ya!
Adam

I'm interested in the cheapest way to build a small, livable cabin/house on new land. Nothing too elaborate, but something that might start out as seasonal and that I could add on to for extra space or to make it livable year round. But I'd be happy to start off basic as long as it's cheap but has room to work with.

Unfortunately, everything I can find online seems to be either "Here's a 120 square foot box we're calling a cabin" or "Here's your prefab cabin with floor to ceiling windows, loft, cupola, and elevator, your price is $283,000" with almost nothing in between. I can't believe that there isn't some kind of simple, pre-fab home kits out there for people who just want a decent building without breaking the bank.

I've looked at Arched Cabins, which comes closest to what I'm interested in in terms of price for value, but I was hoping there were options that were a little more conventional looking and/or easier to expand once built.

I have a Clerestory Shed Roof in my house with a full row of vertical windows.  It is my favorite feature of my home.  It provides great sunlight through my living room and most of the first floor.  But it also "lights" the rooms at night, most nights.  

Mine are fixed windows, I've wondered if windows that open would be better and let hot air rise and leave the house.

The shed roof exterior looks a little dated architectually, but the benefits are worth it.