This step by step diy project is about 12×22 barn cabin plans. I had a few request for designing a small cabin with a loft that is both cheap and easy to build by anyone. I have come up with this gambrel design, because it is best for having a comfy loft. The wall framing is based on 2x4s, but you can use 2x6s if you live in a cold area and want thicker insulation for the winter time. Take a look over the rest of my woodworking plans, if you want to get more building inspiration.
When buying the lumber, you should select the planks with great care, making sure they are straight and without any visible flaws (cracks, knots, twists, decay). Investing in cedar or other weather resistant lumber is a good idea, as it will pay off on the long run. Use a spirit level to plumb and align the components, before inserting the galvanized screws, otherwise the project won’t have a symmetrical look. If you have all the materials and tools required for the project, you could get the job done in about a day. See all my Premium Plans HERE.
Projects made from these plans
12×22 Small Barn Cabin with Porch – Free DIY Plans
Building-a-12×22-barn-shed-with-loft-and-front-porch
Cut & Shopping Lists
- A – 4 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 16′ long SKIDS
- B – 2 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 16′ long, 13 pieces – 141″ long FLOOR FRAME
- C – 4 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 48″x96″ long, 4 pieces – 48″x48″ long FLOOR
- D – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 12′ long, 10 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 69″ long PORCH FLOOR
- E – 3 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 12′ long SKIDS FOR PORCH
- F – 13 pieces of 5/8″x5 1/2″ deck boards – 12′ DECK BOARDS
- G – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 16′ long, 17 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 90″ long, 6 pieces – 13″ long, 6 pieces – 34″ long, 4 pieces – 36″ long, 8 pieces – 27″ long 2xSIDE WALL
- H – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 134″ long, 1 piece – 84 1/2″ long, 1 piece – 20 1/2″ long, 10 pieces – 90″ long, 3 pieces – 13″ long, 3 pieces – 34″ long, 2 pieces – 36″ long, 4 pieces – 27″ long, 2 pieces – 78 1/2″ long, 2 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 35″ long FRONT WALL
- I – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 137″ long, 1 piece – 144″ long, 10 pieces – 90″ long BACK WALL
- J – 11 pieces of 5/8″ T1-11 siding sheets – 48″x96″ long, 3 pieces – 48″x94″ long, 2 pieces – 7″x48″ long, 2 pieces – 7″x24″ long SIDING
- K – 5 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 89″ long, 1 piece – 114″ long, 2 pieces – 71 3/8″ long, 6 pieces – 24″ long PORCH
- 4 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 16′
- 3 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 12′
- 2 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 16′
- 13 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 12′
- 12 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 12′
- 6 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 4’x8′
- 4 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 16′
- 78 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8′
- 13 pieces of 5/8″x5 1/2″ deck boards – 12′
- 6 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 8′
- 2 pieces of 4×6 lumber – 8′
- 1 piece of 4×6 lumber – 12′
- 14 pieces of 5/8″ T1-11 siding – 4’x8′
- 3 1/2″ screws
- 7″ screws
- rafter ties
- wood glue, stain/paint, wood filler
- 6d nails
- post anchor
Tools
Hammer, Tape measure, Framing square, Level
Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander
Time
One week
Related
- PART 1: 12×22 Gambrel Shed Plans
- PART 2: 12×22 Gambrel Roof Shed Plans
Building a 12×22 small cabin with gambrel roof
Floor-frame-for-12×16-barn-shed
First of all, you have to assemble the floor frame. Cut the components from 2×6 or 2×8 lumber at the dimensions shown in the plans. Drill pilot holes through the long joists and insert 3 1/2″ screws into the perpendicular components. Make sure the corners are square and align the edges with attention before inserting the screws. Place the joists every 16″ on center.
Fitting the skids – small barn cabin
Next, fit the 4×4 skids under the floor frame. Use rafter ties to secure the skids to the floor frame. The skids will lift the floor frame from the ground, and it will protect the components from the elements. Alternatively, you can pour footings and use posts to set the floor frame perfectly straight and distanced from the ground.
Floor sheets – cabin
Attach the 3/4″ plywood panels to the floor frame. Align the edges and leave no gaps between the panels for a professional result. Drill pilot holes and insert 1 5/8″ screws every 8″ along the joists. I recommend you to invest in tongue and groove pressure treated plywood because there will be no gaps between the sheets.
Side-wall-frame-with-windows-for-cabin
Use 2×4 lumber for the side wall frames. You can also use 2×6 lumber for the plates and studs, if you plan to install thick insulation into the wall frames. Drill pilot holes through the plates and insert 3 1/2″ screws into the studs. You can also notice the two 24″x36″ window openings that are frames to the side walls, so you can get a lot of light inside the cabin.
Notice the double headers that will reinforce the wall frames and make them really sturdy. Fit a piece of 1/2″ plywood between the 2x4s to assemble the headers.
Front-wall-frame–for-small-cabin
Next ,you need to build the front wall frame for the small cabin. Notice the opening for the 32″x80″ front door and the 24″x36″ window opening. You can make adjustments to suit your needs.
Back-wall-frame-for-small-cabin
Build the back wall using the same techniques described above. Measure the diagonals and make sure the corners are square.
Assembling the barn cabin
After assembling the frames for the cabin, you need to fit them to the floor, as shown in the plans. Plumb the side walls with a spirit level and align the bottom plate to the floor frame. Drill pilot holes through the bottom plates and insert 3 1/2″ screws into the floor of the shed.
Fit the front and the back wall frames to the shed. Align the edges flush and lock them together tightly with screws to the side walls. Make sure the corners are square. Plumb everything with a spirit level.
Floor frame for porch – 12×22 cabin
Next, build the frame for the front porch using 2x4s. Drill pilot holes through the long beams and insert 3 1/2″ screws into the perpendicular components. Make sure the diagonals are equal and check if the corners are square.
Fitting the skids – front cabin porch
Fit 4×4 skids under the floor frame, using rafter ties. Make sure you level the surface thoroughly and then attach the frame to the cabin with 3 1/2″ lag screws.
Front wall siding sheets
Use 5/8″ T1-11 siding sheets for the exterior of the shed. Alternatively, you can use OSB, wrap paper and then install siding boards. Make the cuts around the front openings and use 6d nails every 8″ along the frame, so you can lock them into place tightly.
Back wall siding sheets
Fit the siding sheets to the back of the shed.
Fitting the decking boards to the front porch
Fit the 5/8″x5 1/2″ deck boards to the front porch of the barn shed. Align the edges at both ends and leave no gaps between them. Drill pilot holes and insert 2 1/2″ screws to secure the to the floor frame.
Posts for the small cabin porch
Next, we need to build the frame for the porch cover. Therefore, set the 4×4 posts to the deck, as shown in the diagram. Use a spirit level to plumb the posts and secure them to the porch with anchors.
Top-plates-for-cabin-porch
Use 4×6 lumber for the top porch plates. Make notches to the plates, as shown in the diagram. Use a circular saw to make parallel cuts inside the notch and then remove the excess material with a chisel or a hammer.
Top plates for the porch
Fit the plates to the top of the posts, as shown in the diagram. Check if the corners are square and align the edges flush. Drill pilot holes through the plates and insert 7″ screws to assemble everything together tightly.
Braces for the 12×22 cabin
Use 4×4 lumber for the porch braces. Make 45 degree cuts to both end of the braces. Fit the braces to the porch of the cabin. Drill pilot holes and insert 3 1/2″ screws to lock them into place tightly.
12×22 Barn Cabin Plans – side panels
Fit the siding sheets to the sides of the barn cabin, as well.
12×22-barn-cabin-plans
You need to take a look over PART 2 of the project, so I can show you how to build the gambrel roof and how to make the loft. This storage shed is ideal if you need storage space in your backyard.
How-to-build-a-12×22-barn-cabin-with-loft-and-porch
Don’t forget that I have tons of free shed plans with step by step instructions. You can check all the plans HERE. I have lots of woodworking plans that cover everything from furniture up to playhouses. See the full list of plans HERE (including more tiny houses).
If you want to get PREMIUM PLANS for this project, in a PDF format, please press GET PDF PLANS button bellow. Thank you for the support.
This woodworking project was about 12×22 gambrel cabin plans. If you want to see more outdoor plans, check out the rest of our step by step projects and follow the instructions to obtain a professional result.
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8 comments
For the amount of piece of lumber needed. Is that after they’ve been cut or is that the number of lengths of lumber needed?
A, B, C.. is the Cut list. The second list is the shopping list (what you need to buy)
It is possible to obtain the cad files, so I can submit the plans to get a building permit. this is exactly what I need and I will pay for the use of the file for this purpose.
No
If I were to pour concrete, and use posts to support the cabin, what would be the optimal spacing of footings and posts? How many, and where to place them?
Can tou create a modified version of these plans 20×20 with a porch that wraps the corner on two sides?
Are the plans more detailed than what is shown here?
Read the description. For this plan, it s the plan on the blog in one PDF with one cut list, one shopping list.