HINT: It’s NOT like this!

If you’re dreaming of living off the grid, you might be wondering how to build a foundation for your cabin that is eco-friendly, sustainable, and durable. A foundation is the base of your cabin, and it affects the comfort, safety, and efficiency of your off-grid living.

But not all foundations are created equal. Some foundations are more suitable for off-grid cabins than others, depending on the location, climate, and budget of your project. Some foundations are also more eco-friendly and sustainable than others, depending on the materials, methods, and maintenance involved.

In this blog post, we’ll help you choose and build the best eco-friendly off-grid foundation for your cabin. We’ll compare and contrast the four main types of foundations for off-grid cabins: concrete, pier and beam, skid, and screw pile. We’ll also give you some tips and tricks on how to prepare your site, insulate your foundation, and maintain your foundation.

By the end of this blog post, you’ll be able to build an eco-friendly off-grid foundation for your cabin that will last for years, and that will enhance your off-grid living experience.

Table of Contents

• Concrete Foundation
  • Pros and cons of a concrete foundation
  • How to build a concrete foundation
• Pier and Beam Foundation
  • Pros and cons of a pier and beam foundation
  • How to build a pier and beam foundation
• Skid Foundation
  • Pros and cons of a skid foundation
  • How to build a skid foundation
• Screw Pile Foundation
  • Pros and cons of a screw pile foundation
  • How to build a screw pile foundation
• Our Cabin Foundation
  • How we build our foundation
• FAQs
  • 5 questions often asked about cabin foundations
• Conclusion
  • How to choose the best type of foundation for your cabin
  • How to build a good foundation for your cabin
  • How to enjoy your off-grid living

We’ve broken this cabin foundation article into two parts.

Part One: Let’s discuss the different types of foundations you may want to consider for your cabin, cottage, or tiny home. We’ll quickly summarize the pros and cons of a particular foundation and then a brief over view of how that type of foundation is built

Part Two: We’ll walk you step by step of how we build the foundation for ouir off grid cabin.

Let’s dive in!

A concrete foundation is the most common and traditional type of foundation for a cabin. It involves pouring concrete into a wooden frame, creating a slab or a crawl space under your cabin.

A concrete foundation has some benefits for off-grid cabins, such as:

• It provides a strong and stable base for your cabin, preventing it from shifting or sinking.
• It protects your cabin from moisture, frost, and pests, as it creates a barrier between the ground and the cabin floor.
• It allows you to install plumbing, electrical, and heating systems under your cabin, making it more comfortable and convenient.

However, a concrete foundation also has some drawbacks for off-grid cabins, such as:

• It requires a lot of materials, tools, and labor, making it expensive and time-consuming to build.
• It needs a level and well-drained site, which might not be available or accessible in remote or rugged locations.
• It might not be suitable for areas with high seismic activity, as it can crack or crumble under pressure.
• It might not be very eco-friendly or sustainable, as it uses a lot of cement, which has a high carbon footprint and environmental impact.

If you want to build a concrete foundation for your off-grid cabin, you’ll need to follow these steps:

1. Clear and level the site where you want to build your cabin. Remove any rocks, roots, or debris that might interfere with the foundation.
2. Dig a trench around the perimeter of the site, about 12 inches deep and 12 inches wide. This will create a footing for the foundation, which will support the weight of the cabin.
3. Build a wooden frame or formwork around the trench, using 2×4 or 2×6 boards. This will create the shape and size of the foundation, and it will hold the concrete in place.
4. Pour concrete into the trench, filling it up to the top of the formwork. Use a shovel or a trowel to spread and level the concrete, and a tamper or a vibrator to compact and remove any air bubbles.
5. Let the concrete cure for at least 24 hours, or until it’s hard and dry. Then, remove the formwork and smooth the edges of the foundation with a trowel or a grinder.
6. Build another wooden frame on top of the foundation, using 2×4 or 2×6 boards. This will create the floor joists, which will support the cabin floor.
7. Attach plywood or OSB sheets to the floor joists, using nails or screws. This will create the subfloor, which will be the base of your cabin floor.

To make your concrete foundation more eco-friendly and sustainable, you can use some of these tips:

• Use recycled or natural materials, such as crushed glass, gravel, or sand, instead of cement, to reduce the environmental impact and cost of your foundation.
• Add insulation, such as foam boards, straw bales, or wool, under and around your foundation, to improve the thermal efficiency and comfort of your cabin.
• Apply a waterproof sealant, such as epoxy, polyurethane, or rubber, over your foundation, to prevent moisture and mold problems, and to extend the lifespan of your foundation.

A pier and beam foundation is a popular and versatile type of foundation for a cabin. There are two type of pier and beam foundations. One is utilizing a cement pad on top of the soil acting as the base and either a cinder block or pressure treated wood on top acting as the pier.

The second type involves installing vertical posts or piers into the ground, and connecting them with horizontal beams or girders. The beams support the floor joists, which support the cabin floor.

A pier and beam foundation has some benefits for off-grid cabins, such as:

• It’s easy and cheap to build, as it requires fewer materials, tools, and labor than a concrete foundation.
• It’s adaptable and flexible, as it can be built on uneven or sloped terrain, and it can be adjusted or modified as needed.
• It allows air circulation and ventilation under your cabin, preventing moisture and mold problems.
• It creates a crawl space under your cabin, which can be used for storage or access to plumbing, electrical, and heating systems.

However, a pier and beam foundation also has some drawbacks for off-grid cabins, such as:

• It’s less stable and durable than a concrete foundation, as it can shift or settle over time, causing cracks or gaps in the cabin floor.
• It’s more vulnerable to frost, pests, and animals, as it exposes the cabin floor to the ground and the elements.
• It requires regular maintenance and inspection, as it can deteriorate or decay due to weather or wear and tear.
• It might not comply with local building codes or regulations, depending on the type and size of the cabin and the location.

If you want to build a pier and beam foundation for your off-grid cabin, you’ll need to follow these steps:

1. Clear and level the site where you want to build your cabin. Remove any rocks, roots, or debris that might interfere with the foundation.
2. Mark the locations of the piers, using stakes or spray paint. The piers should be spaced evenly and symmetrically, about 6 to 8 feet apart, depending on the size and weight of the cabin.
3. Dig holes for the piers, about 3 to 4 feet deep and 12 to 18 inches wide, depending on the soil type and frost depth. The holes should be deeper and wider than the piers, to allow for drainage and stability.
4. Install the piers, using concrete blocks, bricks, stones, or metal posts. The piers should be level and aligned, and they should extend above the ground level by at least 12 inches.
5. Connect the piers with beams, using 4×4 or 4×6 boards. The beams should be attached to the piers with metal brackets, bolts, or nails, and they should be level and parallel.
6. Attach the floor joists to the beams, using 2×4 or 2×6 boards. The floor joists should be spaced 16 to 24 inches apart, and they should be perpendicular to the beams.
7. Attach plywood or OSB sheets to the floor joists, using nails or screws. This will create the subfloor, which will be the base of your cabin floor.

To make your pier and beam foundation more eco-friendly and sustainable, you can use some of these tips:

• Use recycled or natural materials, such as reclaimed wood, bamboo, or metal, instead of new or treated lumber, to reduce the environmental impact and cost of your foundation.
• Add insulation, such as foam boards, straw bales, or wool, under and around your foundation, to improve the thermal efficiency and comfort of your cabin.
• Apply a waterproof sealant, such as epoxy, polyurethane, or rubber, over your foundation, to prevent moisture and mold problems, and to extend the lifespan of your foundation.

A skid foundation is a simple and quick type of foundation for a cabin. It involves laying wooden skids or beams on the ground, and placing the cabin floor on top of them.

A skid foundation has some benefits for off-grid cabins, such as:

• It’s the easiest and cheapest type of foundation to build, as it requires minimal materials, tools, and labor.
• It’s portable and movable, as it can be dragged or lifted to a different location, if needed or desired.
• It doesn’t require any digging or excavation, which might damage the natural environment or disturb the wildlife.
• It doesn’t need any permits or approvals, as it’s considered a temporary or non-permanent structure.

However, a skid foundation also has some drawbacks for off-grid cabins, such as:

• It’s not very stable or secure, as it can slide or tip over due to wind, rain, or snow.
• It’s not very durable or long-lasting, as it can rot or decay due to moisture, insects, or fungi.
• It’s not very insulated or comfortable, as it exposes the cabin floor to the ground and the temperature fluctuations.
• It might not be legal or allowed, depending on the local zoning or land use laws.

If you want to build a skid foundation for your off-grid cabin, you’ll need to follow these steps:

1. Clear and level the site where you want to build your cabin. Remove any rocks, roots, or debris that might interfere with the foundation.
2. Lay the skids on the ground, parallel and evenly spaced, about 4 to 6 feet apart, depending on the size and weight of the cabin. The skids can be made of treated lumber, logs, or metal beams.
3. Attach the floor joists to the skids, using nails or screws. The floor joists should be spaced 16 to 24 inches apart, and they should be perpendicular to the skids.
4. Attach plywood or OSB sheets to the floor joists, using nails or screws. This will create the subfloor, which will be the base of your cabin floor.

To make your skid foundation more eco-friendly and sustainable, you can use some of these tips:

• Use recycled or natural materials, such as reclaimed wood, bamboo, or metal, instead of new or treated lumber, to reduce the environmental impact and cost of your foundation.
• Add insulation, such as foam boards, straw bales, or wool, under and around your foundation, to improve the thermal efficiency and comfort of your cabin.
• Apply a waterproof sealant, such as epoxy, polyurethane, or rubber, over your foundation, to prevent moisture and mold problems, and to extend the lifespan of your foundation.