Cabin in the woods

[JakeR]

Hi everyone

So I'm lucky enough that as a family we've a small piece of woodland in Wales where we've brought in a shepherds hut. As you can imagine we spend a lot of time here, and have done for the last ten years or so.

The hut has been improved on over the years and boasts a solar panel (certain members of family like to have phones charged), a long drop toilet nearby, a fire stove, an outdoor kitchen with rainwater out the tap (that brings me to a question below), and some other creature comforts. But we're lacking a couple of things.

The cabin has very poor insulation in the roof, and we've tried to encourage moss to grow to provide some warmth:

As you can see. Not a great effort. Any ideas for wild insulation to help in winter?

Lastly, I read British Red's awesome piece on water filtration (thanks BR). We've got a water butt which supplies us with rain water (piped straight into kitchen!). Would a millbank bag and rolling boil suffice to cleanse the water? Should there be anything else we should be watchful for?

(Not a bad view from the deck &#128525

Jake




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[Robson Valley]

Peace and quiet! What sorts of temperatures/rain/snow/wind do you expect to get in the winters?
As artificial as it is, I'd consider 4" of styrofoam insulation panelling on the inside of the roof.
It paints OK with acrylics so there's opportunity for something novel.

Heat rises. I suggest a sleeping loft which also increases your floor space.
You'd be up in the warmest part of the house for winter sleeping.

 

[JakeR]

That is a good idea. The roof is done so well with timber it would be a shame to cover over. Might be a problem to persuade family. But it means its v cold in winter. We're by the Black Mountains by the Beacons, so nothing dramatic, but it can easily get to -7/-8 in places. Certainly nippy. Because it's Wales, it's mostly rain. But we've a nice canopy area with a fire bowl for such weather. Means we spend most if our time congregated there with the occasional trip to chop wood/play games.


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[Robson Valley]

Insulation in a ceiling makes a profound difference in both the summer and the winter. I had a summer place, open to the roof, and loved it.
Half way through one particularly cold wet summer, we hung T-track with acoustic tiles and tossed about 12" fiberglas bats above that.
The kitchen was in the verandah but the main bedrooms and the living room got covered and it made a huge difference
with the wood stove in the living room on the rest of the sloppy cold days.

The difference in comfort level made it a fairly easy sell to my kids.

 

[Janne]

Wild insulation as in natural materials?

Not easy. In the very old days they used to insulate with wood shavings. Long curly things.
Insulates well. Wild animals love it too.
Unfortunately it can catch fire. In a hut I would not worry about that though.

 

[gonzo_the_great]

For summer, a secondary roof, with a small air gap with some flow, works wonders to keep it cool. Same idea as the old Landrover safari roof.
I've done that to a number of my outbuildings. And the ones that don't have this, are considerably hotter, especially in the weather we have had recently.
(Obviously this only has an effect in the summer. Though I've not tried plugging the gaps to stop the flow in winter. As I tend to just burn more pallet wood, and don't notice the cold.)

 

[JakeR]

Thanks all. That's great. Is there anything in particular to worry about regarding drinking (boiled) rainwater from a water butt?


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[Janne]

Boiling eill not trmove any toxins..

As you woll be going there for s long time, I would suggest a deep bore well.

 

[mrcharly]

I wouldn't go for a well. No no - you have no idea what minerals are in it without expensive testing. Those are very hard to deal with.

Rainwater in wales shouldn't have any toxins that can't be dealt with by boiling, but maybe consider getting a ceramic and charcoal filter as well just for the drinking water.

 

[Janne]

I was thinking of toxins by putrefying animals (that fall into the water butt). like mice, flies, beetles.

Yes, filter is a good idea. Would a Brita filter do the trick?

 

[dave89]

Why not create a filter using the water butt, something along the lines of rocks, sand and charcoal layered.

 

[JakeR]

In the mountains of Wales, and being stored in a plastic container, is there anything specific I should be careful of? I'm going to invest in a millbank, also happy to do water filter project!


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[Robson Valley]

I had an uninsulated summer house in a past life. Not possible to get out there for more than 6-7 weeks in the summer. Beds for 9 people and a workshop.
I bought a brand new galvanized garbage can. A big one. In the kitchen, I kept all the cereals, pasta, flour, cookies, crackers, etc., in it. Absolutely mouse proof.
Would be my #1 purchase as needed.

 

[Janne]

In the mountains of Wales, and being stored in a plastic container, is there anything specific I should be careful of? I'm going to invest in a millbank, also happy to do water filter project!


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The Welsh?

 

[JakeR]

The Welsh?

Would that explain the singing from the water butt?




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[JakeR]

I had an uninsulated summer house in a past life. Not possible to get out there for more than 6-7 weeks in the summer. Beds for 9 people and a workshop.
I bought a brand new galvanized garbage can. A big one. In the kitchen, I kept all the cereals, pasta, flour, cookies, crackers, etc., in it. Absolutely mouse proof.
Would be my #1 purchase as needed.

Yes we've had various mouse battles. We've found the military metal storage boxes to be the answer. I believe they're ex-ammo storage?


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[Janne]

Would that explain the singing from the water butt?

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Absolutely!
Tom Jones in a can?

 

[JakeR]

It's not unusual


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[Janne]

The Seven Dwarfs also sang while at the coalface!

Best version is Rammstein's 'Sonne'.
Check it out on Youtube!

 

[bikething]

It's not unusual

The rainwater that ends up in the water butt - does it bounce off the trees and roof to get there?
I would be concerned about bird droppings amongst other things