Douro Art Studios
Cabin Resoration notes.
We will use this page to share information on the Art Studio/ Log Cabin Restoration. It is our hope that people can use this page to learn historical information about the area and learn from our experiences. This page will continue to evolve as we continue with the project.
Original Homestead
The original shanty is believed to be built in 1850's on Lot 1 Con. 1 in Douro-Dummer, ON. About 50 meters from the new location.
If you are interested in learning historical information about the land that your house is on you can do research at www.onland.ca
Log cabin was revealed May 2023
The log cabin was covered by siding and was abandoned for over 20 years before we learned the reason the main building was able to maintain its structure. Original work to reveal the cabin from beneath siding started May 2023. We purchased the cabin in Sept 2023 and started making plans for the moving and restoration.
Engineer drawings
Being a restoration project, it required engineer drawings to be drafted. The drawings required us to move the cabin one log at a time so that each log could be inspected before being reconstructed.
Here is a link to the cabin engineers drawings for our project. We want to share them for others to review if they are interested in such a project.
Building Permits
To build on our land we needed a building permit and permission from local conservation authority. Our property is surrounded by an ephemeral wetland so special permitting was required to help us protect the pond and the future of our cabin.
The Otonabee Regional Conservation Webpage can help you learn more about your properties proximity to a flood plain.
Preparing for build - April 2024
While we have a lot of land, the only land suitable for the workshop garage was at the end of thr driveway - so we ended up removing a small stand of cedars to build in that location. Thanks to Dave and Sue Fridgen (my parents) who came out to help as there we only had two weeks to get the land ready for the construction to start on the foundation.
Creating a strong foundation - June 2024
Thanks to Paul Leahy's team for the excavation and to Carter's Concrete for moulding and pouring the foundation. Frost walls were required so it looked like we were building a pool more than a future workshop garage. The cabin will be well protected for years to come!
Moving the cabin - July 2024
Once the foundation was built, it was time to get the cabin. To move the cabin we needed to number it and take it down, one log at a time. The logs were transferred to our property for cleaning. It was very exciting to learn how to drive a telehandler (zoomboom or reach forklift) and I am proud to announce that we did not break a single log!
Log restoration - Aug - Nov. 2024
Each log was inspected, scraped, and sanded - removing rot and spraying to remove remaining insects. Tools used were a draw knife and an orbital sander with large coarse brushes. This stage was very hard on the elbows and wrists.
As you can see from the image of Craig amongst the logs, this took a lot of patience and persistence.
Securing the base logs
The bottom and top logs were the only logs that needed replacing. To attach the bottom logs to the foundation the logs were fitted over 4x4 lumber that was attached to the foundation. Never a dull moment in this build to be sure. Thanks to Craig's enginuity, and a lot of conversations with friends, we were able to secure the bottom layer to the foundation as required.
Building the first 4 layer by hand for approval
We decided it was best to build the first few layers by hand and get permission from the building inspector at this stage - before building the entire structure. He was good with the first phase so we made our plans to get the cabin up before snowfall!
As you can see the bottom layer was secured to the base layer using 16 inch log screws.
Re-stacking the Cabin - Nov. 2024
With the help of our friend Nick and our - always amazing how will we ever repay them - neighbours, were were able to get the cabin standing again. While the telehandler had no problem getting it down, the angles we needed with the elevated foundation put the top logs nearly out of reach. Thanks to a tilting method and Craig and Kevin's bravery on ladders, we were able to get the last logs up just before dark.
Yes, we were very proud of ourselves at this stage. So many cabins come down without ever getting back up. I could not believe we actually did it, and again, without breaking any logs.
Building the garage off the back - May -July 2025
Finally it was time for dimensional lumber - a completely different game. Once the walls were lifted and secured to the concrete base (thanks again neighbours) we were off to the races.
Learning to frame a garage - Summer 2025
No, we had never framed a house before so spent endless time reviewing the building code and videos on YouTube. It is amazing how much you can learn having the internet at your fingertips. We wish we learned the benefits of a nail gun sooner - but better late than never.
To get this done we needed to just tackle it one step at a time, learning basics in framing, spaces required for windows and doors, how to build a second floor.
Structural sheathing was very interesting. How many people can guess how many nails go into one sheet of plywood - to meet Ontario code? With the shorter spacing (6 inch) around the edge and 12 inch spacing down each of the studs placed 16inches apart - that would be 60-70 nails per 4x8 plywood sheet. It was at this stage I learned about the nail gun!
Hardest part was getting the exterior sheathing to the second floor. Craig created a rig that allowed him to stabilize the sheets on the ladder before using brute force to get them up and secure them on. Amazing.
Shaping and joining top logs for the roof
With the need to replace the top logs along the front and back we needed to learn how to make dovetails and half lap joints on 8x8 logs. This took loads of practice and no - we did not get it right the first time.
Raising and building the roof.
We contracted help from Black Wolfe Construction to help with this challenging stage of our build. They were able to help us secure the top logs and raise a new roof. As you can imagine it was difficult with a log cabin like this but they pulled it together in time for my art installation for the Kawartha Studio Tour.
Martin Roofing helped to finish the roof with a metal top! I have nothing but respect for the men who dedicate their lives to building our homes. This is a very hard and dangerous job and I could not be more grateful for their expertise and support with the project!
