Building a log cabin veranda

A veranda makes a lovely addition to any log cabin – a great place for sitting out or alfresco dining. A typical veranda is usually made up of the veranda balustrade and pressure treated timber decking floor. Here we explain how to fit one.

During the assembly of the cabin itself, you should already have sawn the ends off the second, fourth and sixth end wall logs to the front of the cabin. The cut should be made in the centre of the corner joint of the identified wall logs.

Place one of the pressure treated bearers and place it against the front of the log cabin. Place a second at a distance equal to the depth of the terrace floor, measured from the outside of the front of the cabin. Space the remainder of the log bearers equally between these two placed bearers. The number of bearers will vary due to the size of the veranda.

Before fitting the decking boards, ensure that everything is square by measuring the diagonals.

Building the framework for a concrete base

Knock the shuttering support posts into the ground

Nail or screw the shuttering boards to the posts

Consult your parts list to identify the number and lengths of the parts you will require. The drawing will show you the correct position of each log. Build up the wall logs as shown on your drawing. Screw the first half logs to the bearer to secure. You will notice that the side logs of the balustrade fit the location of the previously sawn cabin sidewall beams. Fit the two metal slats to the inside of the balustrade near to the cabin using screws.

Next, fit the decking boards. Nail the boards to every bearer, leaving a gap of 10mm between each board. You will notice that there are two lengths of decking boards supplied, fit the longer ones at the opening of the balustrade.

On the inside of the balustrade next to the front opening, you will need to fit the two support beams. Place these 95mm from the edge of the opening, one each side. Fix with screws into the wall beams. Next, the L shaped metal brackets are fixed next to the support beams, one on each side of the opening, and screwed into the balustrade and the decking floor.

And finally, fit the balustrade cover boards to the top of the balustrade using the screws provided.