The style of the ranger's cabin should be appropriate for your area of the country.
Construction of a house for a park ranger must meet all the building code requirements of any other house in its governmental jurisdiction and follow all the steps in a conventional house construction project. However, the lifestyle of a park ranger places certain functional and aesthetic requirements on the architecture that are different than a house in suburbia. For these reasons, it is recommended that a novice use a standard set of construction plans for his project.
Instructions
1. Thoroughly study the construction drawings and bill of materials before beginning construction.
Standard ranger cabin plans may be obtained from the National Park Service and many state agencies. Plans for historic cabin styles sponsored by the National Park Service and Works Progress Administration in the 1930s may be obtained from the Library of Congress. Plans should be accompanied by a bill of materials (BOM), which contains a detailed list of all materials that will be needed to construct the plan. Some house plan services also sell standard plans of cabins. If this option is taken, the plan service should also provide a BOM. Study the construction plans thoroughly before starting work.
Using a measuring tape, determine the general area on the proposed construction site needed for your house. Add at least 20 feet to the dimensions of the house in each direction and drive stakes into the corners. Cut down all trees in this construction area. Remove all stumps and boulders. Clear out and remove all other vegetation.
Using the transit, measuring tape and level lines, mark the corners of the house with stakes driven into the ground. Then, again using the transit and measuring tape, drive the stakes into the corners of the concrete footings of the house. Tie the strings between the footings stakes. The strings will show the exact location of the, while you are digging.
2. Premixed concrete is a more reliable material for footing, but it may be necessary for you to mix your own.
The footings and foundation must be constructed prior to any work on the occupied portion of the house. Contact your local building inspection department to determine how deep the footings must be dug to meet building code requirements. Excavate holes for the footings as described in the construction plans. Install steel reinforcing bars as described and specified in the construction drawings. Pour the concrete mix specified in the drawings at one time, When the weather forecast is for temperatures to remain above 40 degrees with no precipitation. Allow the concrete to cure for at least five days before doing any more work on the site.
3. Foundations may be constructed of either concrete masonry units (blocks), stone masonry or poured-in-place, reinforced concrete. Rock masonry is an aesthetically superior material for a ranger's cabin. However, for a novice, it is preferable to follow the construction plans, whatever they describe. Masonry walls will require level lines to ensure that the wall is plumb and straight. Install anchor bolts for the floor plates. Provide for crawl space vents, and one or more crawl space doors as described on the construction plans.
4. The wood stud walls are attached to the floor decking.
Set up the saw horses in order to cut lumber to the proper length. Saw the floor plates, which will run along the top of the foundation, and drill holes matching the locations of anchor bolts. Set the floor plate in place. Cut the floor joists and band joists and install them according to the plans. Nail in the floor joist braces. Lay the 4-foot by 8-foot plywood decking on top of the floor joist assembly. Saw off the ends of the plywood sheets to match the edge of the foundations. Nail and glue the plywood sheets onto the joist assembly according to the plans. Saw the sole plates to the proper lengths, then the top plates to the same lengths. Nail together corner posts, T-posts and lintels as designated on the plans. Place the components of the wall sections on the floor decking and nail them together. Raise one wall framing section at time; nail it in place and then brace it with a 2-inch by 4-inch brace. After all the wall framing sections are erected, tie them together with the cap plates. Follow the same procedure with the interior wall frames. After all exterior and interior walls are erected and tied together with cap plates, the temporary bracing may be removed.
5. Once the roof decking and shingles are installed, the house is protected from the elements.
As specified in the drawings, either lay pre-engineered joist rafters on the wall system or ceiling joists. If utilizing ceiling joists, it will be necessary to saw rafters to their proper length, with diagonal cuts on each end to match the pitch of the roof. After the trusses or rafters are installed, tie them together horizontally as shown on the plans. Nail the roof decking to the roof framing assembly. Install valley and ridge flashing. Apply an asphaltic felt underlayment and then nail on the shingles. Saw the proper size soffits and install them with attic vents. The house is now dried in.
6. Electrical wiring can be installed once the house is dried in.
Install flashing, windows, doors and gable vents, if specified. Attach the siding specified by the construction drawings. Install batt fiberglass insulation in the walls, floor and ceiling. Rough-in the electrical wiring, if the house is to have electrical service. Install sub-flooring, which is usually particle board. Install gypsum board drywall and finish the boards. Install electrical receptacles and lighting fixtures, if the house is to have electrical service. Install plumbing fixtures and kitchen cabinets. Apply interior wood trim work. Install a wood stove or central heating system. Also, install an air conditioning system, if it is a part of the construction plans.
7. Install interior and exterior doors. Apply interior primer paint to the interior walls. Either stain the exterior siding and trim or either apply a coat of exterior primer paint. Paint the interior of the house. Paint or stain the exterior of the house. Install the final floor covering. Install locks and hardware on the exterior and interior doors. Prime and paint the doors, if required. Install the appliances. Remove all debris from the landscape around the house. Grade the soil smooth around the house and plant grass, plus shrubbery, if desired.
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